We Are What We Eat

Let me give you a couple of examples closer to home. Mike had surgery on his shoulder this past Friday. There were a few people at different times that were responsible for his care I wasn’t particularly happy with.

If I lost my cool, started yelling and cussing at them, what kind of Christian example am I setting for them? I don’t know if they were all Christians who worked on him, or not. But in any case, what I would I be telling them about Christians if I behaved that way?

Many of us have the license plate covers for our cars that tell the person behind us we go to church at Grace Church. If I rudely cut the person off behind me, what kind of message am I sending about the people who go to Grace Church?

If I were to ask the person who does my taxes to do something a might underhanded and they know where I go to church, what am I saying about being a Christian?

If I gossip with my friend at work about a third person, making derogitory remarks, if I tell an off color joke, what kind of Christian witness do I have?

I looked for stories that would illustrate this point for us but I didn’t find any. I think its appropriate that the examples I did find addressed how to share the gospel with others by example and by explanation.

The examples I found talk about what to do rather than what not to do.

Once again, we are what we eat. Its focusing on the positives rather than the negatives. If time, attention, and thrust is towards providing a good Christian witness, then we are more likely more often to do just that.

Let me share with you a couple of examples I found by those who spend a lot of time looking for opportunities to witness to others.

Bill Hybells shares his experience with Tom, a new member to his sailboat racing crew.

READ EXCERT FROM BOOK

“Becoming a Contageous Christian”

Robert Tuttle talks about a conversation he had with a gentleman sitting next to him on an airplain.

READ EXCERT FROM BOOK

“Can We Talk?”

****

These two stories are just a couple of examples of people who have actively engaged in witnessing to others.

Let me say first I believe there was probably something about these two gentleman in their general attitude and behaviors in the first place that suggested to the people they witnessed to, they were people of integrity and acceptance they could talk to.

But I also think that from their experiences are some tips for us in how to be Christian witnesses to others.

First be aware of opportunities to witness - in everything we do, everything we say, all the time. Robert Tuttle, I believe, looks for such opportunities. But his style is not everyone’s style.

In this particular case, I think Bill Hybel’s experience is closer to what we all will experience. Bill developed a personal relationship with Tom and left himself open to the opportunity to talk about spiritual matters with him. During the two years he knew Tom, Bill thought about how he came a cross to Tom and everyone else he came in contact with.

In all of his relationships, Bill’s thoughts are about how his actions and behaviors reflect on his Christian claim.