BE BOLD

Why is it so hard to share the Gospel? What makes us tremble at the thought of sharing Christ? What are some things that hold us back from speaking about Jesus?

Just last week, on our return flight from Taipei, my wife and I were seated beside a young man who was going home for the Chinese New Year holiday. I decided to strike up a conversation with him and found out that he was studying at the local university in Taipei to become a funeral director, and part of his course centered on religious rites.

Even though I knew I could have shared my Christian faith, I was hesitant to continue the conversation. I was fearful of rejection, even though I knew how to share the Gospel. We arrived at Changi Airport, bid farewell and went our separate ways.

There are a few possible reasons why we find it hard to share the Gospel:

Fear of Rejection – The fear of being rejected is the most common barrier people experience when they share the Gospel. We tend to overanalyze the situation and subconsciously assume that the person will reject us even before we begin. However, the work of conviction does not lie with us, we are only the conduit or mouthpiece that God uses. Neither of us is responsible  for the conversion that takes place in the heart. The Holy Spirit is solely responsible. John 16:8 tells us that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin, righteousness and judgment. Thus, we should speak in faith and trust that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of the hearers.

Spiritual Apathy – In this busy society we live in, people are more concerned about themselves. We do not care enough about the people around us and we can become too comfortable with our clique of church friends that we make little or no effort to reach out to our non-Christian friends and loved ones. How can we overcome this spiritual apathy that is so prevalent in our lives?

An article from the Gospel Coalition entitled “Diagnosing Evangelistic Apathy” states that:

“when we diagnose our evangelism perhaps it would be helpful to diagnose our sanctification. Do we believe the gospel? Do we have it? Does it have us? If the answer is “no”, then there is a need to pause. Evangelistic apathy is neither healthy nor right. It requires our attention. Take some prayerful, quiet, reflective time before the foot of the cross. Ask God to grip your heart with its preciousness. Ask him to renew in you a deep sense of gratitude and joy in God that comes from knowing that God has adopted and forgiven you in Christ. This may take some time. It may be uncomfortable. But it may change your life. And, it may also change those around you!”

As we enjoy Chinese New Year, and all the food and fellowship it brings, let us be on the lookout for an opportunity to share Christ with our friends and loved ones. Let us be bold to share His message of love!

By Lee Ee Foo, Pastoral Staff (YCKC Bulletin 26 January 2020)