Confessions of a Christian

I have a confession to make. I had my first class of the semester at seminary a few weeks ago. It turns out, that one of the requirements of the class, is to have six conversations of a spiritual nature (with an eye toward evangelism) with unbelievers. While I can’t say that my palms started getting sweaty, my mind began to wonder. How am I going to do that?

Sure, I’m bold about my faith. I’m happy to post stuff on social media declaring my love for Jesus. I love to write out my thoughts about life and spirituality and put it out in public in hopes it can be an encouragement to someone. And of course, I have personally witnessed to people over the years as opportunities present themselves. If I’m honest, in the busyness of life, I’m not sure how often I go looking for such opportunities. But purposefully, personally, engage with six unbelievers in one semester! That sounds scary. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll let ya’ll know how it goes.

How many unbelievers do you know? When was the last time you personally shared your faith with an unbeliever? I can’t remember who said it, but it’s true, you can’t outsource the Great Commission.

I was talking to some of our WMA missionaries the other day about prayer. It’s obvious I know, forgive my simplicity of thought, but it’s not the intellectual affirmation of prayer that works, it’s actually praying that works. Sometimes it can be easy to conflate the two. How many times I have deceived myself into thinking that because I mentally affirm that praying and fasting or reading the Bible are good, then, well, that’s it. No it’s the practice of the disciplines. It’s the actual walking the walk, not just talking the talk that works.

What if 2025 is the year we actually step out in faith and share our faith? Maybe you already do. That’s great! Then disciple others to do what you have learned to do. Multiply yourself. We are not promised tomorrow. Let us hold our convictions until the end. Run the race. Finish the race.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end” (Hebrews 3:12-14).

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation'" (Mark 16:15).