ODJ: borrow me
September 15, 2009
If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it (v.15).
READ: 1 Peter 3:13-16
The Malmö Library in Sweden has allowed its patrons to borrow live human beings, instead of just books. The Living Library project featured nine people including an iman, a gypsy, and a journalist. Library members could check out the person for a 45-minute conversation at the library’s café to learn more about him or her.
As Christians, people around us are “checking us out” all the time—especially friends who might not share our faith. That’s why Peter advises, “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15).
And, he reminds us to “do this in a gentle and respectful way” (v.16). He wants us to share our faith in love, not with a judgmental, “I’m right and you’re not” approach. After all, it was because of God’s love that that He gave “His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Our friends may become interested in God’s offer of eternal life when they see how our faith influences our everyday living. When we “don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world” (Romans 12:2), people notice! Although it’s not about appearing perfect, it is about living to please God and letting the “Holy Spirit guide [our] lives” (Galatians 5:16).
Even when we’re doing okay spiritually, it’s a little scary to think about sharing our beliefs with friends. That’s why we need to pray for openness and trust that “even if [we] suffer for doing what is right, God will reward [us] for it” (1 Peter 3:14).
I don’t know about you, but I want to be ready to share my faith with kindness. Until then, I’ll strive to live in a way that makes me the first to volunteer, “Borrow me!” when it comes to speaking up for Jesus. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
When was the last time you shared your faith with a friend or close acquaintance? Would your friends be surprised to learn that you’re a Christian? Why or why not?
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I must say it is definitely very important to share with friends who we may feel does not know the true concept of being a christian. I find when people question my faith i try my utmost best to tell them in non-judgemental way. I find the best way to tell a friend of your faith is to reply that without living for Jesus my life was out of control i had nothing to live for but now that i have given my life to the Lord and acknowledged that iam a sinner and have given God full control of my life i know now that iam no longer spiritually dead but reborn made new through Jesus Christ and live under the gift of God’s Grace Amen.
Yess
The way we live our lives will be a testimony too
If our friends are surprised to learn that we are Christians, then we need to examine how we are sharing our faith/the gospel in our lifestyle & in our character.