What I Have Seen, I Will Proclaim
I have a confession. I hate witnessing. I know I should love it. After all, I am an ordained minister and an evangelist. But I hate feeling like I need to share the gospel with every single human I lay my eyes on, or I will be held accountable if they die without Christ. This comes from a legalistic understanding of God’s grace as well as an arrogant, secret need to save the world, of which I am not capable.
But I have another confession. I have figured something out, and it came to me when reading 1 John 1:1-4. Witnessing is not something I do. It is who I am.
John says in that passage that he had heard the gospel, that he had seen Jesus with his own eyes, and that he had handled Jesus with his own hands. It was so powerful an encounter that John had to talk about it. He was compelled to naturally proclaim what a difference meeting and knowing Jesus had made in his life.
There are things I love, that have changed my life, and I talk about them. It is not a job or a task, it comes naturally to talk about things that are important to me:
1. My lovely, beautiful, Godly wife
2. My cute, awesome, lovable boys
3. The amazing ministry I serve at Crossroads
4. My best friends; Matt, Perry, Steven, Burgess, Berger, Seth, Christopher, Jonathan
5. Bear hunting
6. The Dallas Cowboys and the Clemson Tigers
When we love something or have had our lives changed by it, we will become evangelists for whatever that thing may be. No one has to prod us, manipulate us, or trick us into talking about what we have seen. I have seen Jesus change my life and thousands more. I cannot help it now; I have to proclaim it.
Whew! Glad I’m not the only one. I appreciate your take on this.
Comment by Robert Privette — February 2, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
Hey Robert, how in the world are you? I miss you man, hope your family is well. You are a good friend, and I am thankful for our friendship.
Comment by Clayton King — February 2, 2010 @ 5:02 pm
Sometimes I just don’t know what to SAY. How do you start a conversation about Jesus with someone?
Comment by Jessie Drew — February 2, 2010 @ 5:41 pm
Thanks Clayton! I agree one hundred percent. Jessie there really isn’t a set way to go about it. As Clayton mentioned here we really shouldn’t make it feel forced. Like we go from everyday life into witness mode. It really should just overflow out of who we are as followers of Christ. I just take everyday conversations such as sports, tv, music, movies, or whatever and at some point(as led by the holy spirit)direct the converstion toward God. Sometimes I may start by asking them if they have any spiritual beliefs, which is a very broad question but can lead to an opportunity to share Christ. The best advice I can give you is to live it in front of them, and when God opens that door during a conversation, you will have credibility. If you aren’t living it in front of them then they are not going to listen to you.
Comment by Trey Bradley — February 2, 2010 @ 6:55 pm
So totally true! I find it hard, uncomfortable, and just daunting at times to try and witness to some people. What do I do? I simply try to let them see Christ through me. Clayton, I’m the one that talked to you at the Bi-Lo center at NewSpring’s 10 year anniversary celebration. You witnessed to me, not by preaching, not be sitting me down and having a conversation with me, just by being your wild and crazy teenage self. You had a wonderful time ALWAYS, and I knew it all came from God within you. It may have taken me a while, but like I said 20 years later, your influence on me as a child is what brought me back to God. I am so thankful you were that wild and crazy “Hey Look at Me” guy!
Comment by Kelly neal — February 2, 2010 @ 8:12 pm
Thanks so much for sharing
Comment by Tina — February 2, 2010 @ 9:37 pm