Kickstarting Your Witness
Ever felt like your witness for Jesus was stale, stalled or simply ineffective? I know I have. I want a heart that breaks for the lost. I desire to love people with the unconditional love of God, and I aspire to able to share the gospel with people walking in darkness, people who are lost.
There are times we need new beginnings—seasons of renewal and refocus. As we walk with the Lord, there are numerous areas of our Christian life that from time to time are in need of a kickstart. For example, it may be in the area of Christian disciplines like bible study, prayer, and service. We may experience a season of recalibrating the stewardship of our bodies as it relates to diet and exercise. There are many other areas we could mention, to be sure.
Our witness is no different. No matter where this reading finds you as we turn the calendar to 2025 (can you believe it!)—whether you feel your witness for Christ is hot, cold, or lukewarm—I trust these three simple kickstart principles will encourage your faith and testimony as we begin a new year.
Start Where You Are
“I just wouldn’t know where to start.” This common refrain keeps many people from engaging many things, including the work of evangelism.
“Analysis paralysis,” the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, may also contribute to this attitude.
Yet I have found the process of personal evangelism to be simple, yet challenging. No doubt, it’s the challenging part that often keeps people on the sidelines. But the Lord has called each of us to be His witnesses.
No matter where you are on the personal evangelism continuum, whether very engaged, very disengaged, or somewhere in between, today brings with it the opportunity for new beginnings.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven; He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11).
Where to start or start anew? Since evangelism is first and foremost a heart issue, the “want to” should always precede the “how to.” So start with the heart—“In your heart set apart Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:15). As believers there are many areas in our lives, of which our witness is one. A commitment or re-commitment of our witness to the Lord today is a wonderful place to start.
In Isaiah 6:8, the Lord said: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” May our hearts echo that of the prophet Isaiah, who responded, “Here I am! Send me.”
Use What You Have
Do you have what you need? We’ve all had that question posed on occasion while striving to accomplish a duty or task.
What are the divine resources or raw materials necessary to accomplish the work of evangelism, you may wonder? Well, they include everything God has given us:
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
Yes! We have everything we need.
Specifically, the main things pertaining “to life” related to the evangelistic endeavor include the following:
The Word of God – “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).
The Gospel – “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The Holy Spirit – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer – “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We have all we need to do all God has called us to. We simply need to access those divine resources lavished on us, His children, and apply them in the evangelistic endeavor—for Jesus’ glory!
Do What You Can
“I don’t know what to do!” Ever felt this way in your evangelistic efforts? There are times in our evangelistic efforts we are prone to default to this statement because let’s face it—personal evangelism is hard work, it’s messy and it’s risky.
But beware, don’t let feelings be confused with facts.
And the fact is we can do something. In fact, we can do some things that have eternal significance!
Pray -First of all, no matter a situation or relationship, you can pray! In fact, prayer is not only the first thing you can do, it’s the first thing you should do.
Relate – Secondly, take a look around you. God has strategically placed you, like He placed Esther, “for such a time as this.” You have a unique sphere of influence which includes people who don’t yet know the Lord. Do you have existing relationships with unbelievers or do you need to pray God would bring an unbeliever into your life for the purpose of being salt and light?
In either case, personal evangelism is personal, so relationships are the platform for loving people, serving people, praying for people, and proclaiming the gospel to people. What next steps does God have for you in your relationship with an unbeliever in your life? Ask Him what you can do.
Prepare & Share – Finally, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Pray, Relate, Prepare, Share – this we all can do. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).
No matter where you find yourself in your witness—hot, cold, or lukewarm, be encouraged. Our God is a God of new beginnings, new opportunities, and new seasons. May the Lord strengthen, encourage, and mobilize your testimony for Christ, for His glory and for the blessing of those who will be exposed to the gospel through your witness in 2025 and beyond.
“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:19