To Share, or Not to Share: Showing the Love of Jesus

To Share, or Not to Share: Showing the Love of Jesus

By Sarah Lentz

My Friend Debbie

May I talk to you a moment about sharing Jesus with those around you? Several years ago I had the privilege of touring for three months with a children's theatre troupe. No sooner had I gotten on the van that first morning, when I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, "You are not to tell these people that they need Jesus. You are just to love them." I was pretty astounded.

I had always been taught that I was supposed to tell people about Jesus. It was part of my job as a Christian. Many times I didn't know how to do it, or I felt awkward, but I also felt guilty if I didn't bring it into a conversation. That morning I felt strangely liberated. With God telling me to just love them, my heart opened wide. I felt my usual barrier of self-protection and awkward separation dissolve. I was free to think highly of them, to find ways of encouraging them, to spend time with them, and to protect their hearts and spirits. I was open and eager to help. It felt amazing.

Then the strangest thing happened. As I would be having random conversations with people, I'd stop dead in my tracks because the only thing in my brain to say next was something from the Bible. Since God had told me not to tell them they needed Jesus, I didn't feel like I should continue. Inevitably they would tell me to go on. I would explain that I had grown up with a Christian background and studying the Bible a lot. The only response I could think of was something from the Bible, but I didn't want to offend them if they didn't believe in it. Every time, they told me not to censor myself and to share what was on my mind. They always listened to what I had to say.

I loved more deeply in that three months than I had ever been able to before. It was so much fun and yet heartbreaking, but I also learned something profound and miraculous to me. God can naturally speak from your heart. When you love someone and share your life with him or her in whatever amount God ordains, He speaks to the person through your heart and words. Of course, your heart can be wrong if you don't govern it by studying scripture, but "the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

I encourage you to find your personal hope in Jesus, to study the Bible and fill your heart with the word of God, and to gently and respectfully share what you learn as you love people. I am so grateful when I realize that God has given me wisdom to share His word in a conversation that blesses someone. I love the moments that He arranges. They make me so aware of His presence and His love. It's not about satisfying an obligation. It's about opening your heart and mouth to His love and wisdom.

My favorite verses:

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15,16 (NIV)