Sharing Faith

Today I'm filling in for a manager who went to the ER for possible premature labor. Since it's not my property, "filling in" can be BORING. I keep my self entertained well though with different things- and times like these are the only times I really blog! So I'm blogging and eating a grilled cheese sandwhich...with no ketchup :-/

I wanted to share a couple things though so this provided a good opportunity. On Friday Jason had some coworkers over to the house. When I got home they were in a big ole' conversation about Christianity and Buddhism. I was blown away as I was listening in the bathroom to Jason's boldness in sharing with them and was HUGELY encouraged by it since it's something I really struggle doing. Soon, I joined in on the conversation. Jason's coworkers were both Buddhists and were wanting to know what Christianity even was. Jason and I struggled as we tried to put our faith into words. They viewed Christians as weak because they feel Christ's sacrifice is an "excuse" and an "easy way out" of doing good. They see it as a cope-out. This in simple to understand in light of where they're coming from. Buddhists believe that, essentially, good works outweigh bad works- if you do enough good, it wipes out the bad, and you're well on your way to a great reincarnated life as.... a better Buddhist.

We learned a lot about what they believe but were also able to share the complete Gospel with them. A seed was planted. I would say that it was more of a "sharing faith" talk since neither of them (particularily one) were interested in putting their faith in Christ. They were trying, more or less, to point out what they believed to be "flaws" in the Gospel testimony- and we were trying to bring light to loop-holes in theirs, explaining what they felt were "flaws" in our faith. Fun times! It was a good conversation though and it's our prayer that the Holy Spirit stirs their hearts to question what they believe.

More than anything, though, I learned a lot from that conversation. And here it my list:
-Sharing my faith isn't that difficult -it's exciting!
-We realized it'd be a good idea to study other religions more so that when engaged in a conversation with someone, we know where they are coming from, and therefore, how to specifically share the Gospel with them. -This will also convey our respect for them.
-We need to "be prepared to have an answer for the hope that is in us." I take this literally, meaning I need to know Scripture well, and how to share the Gospel in a way others will understand. Preparation, preparation!
-Sometimes God gives opportunities to point-blank share the Gospel. The ideal seems to be "relational-witnessing," but God uses both.
-God has called me to share my faith with passion and love, despite how the other person may respond. Sometimes the Gospel may bring someone closer to Christ, for others it may push them farther away. I'm not to hide my faith and love for Jesus simply because I'm afraid of pushing them farther away. If God compels me to share I have to trust that His Holy Spirit is speaking through me.

But the best thing that I learned is, SHARING MY LOVE FOR JESUS IS EXCITING!!!!!!!