A good gardener knows you must prepare the ground before planting.
The ground must be ready to receive the seed.
People are like that. You can have the Absolute Gospel Truth that you are eager to give someone.
You can pass out Bibles.
You can preach to people. You can tell them of the wonders of heaven and horrors of hell. You can tell them if they pray “the sinner’s prayer” and ask Jesus into their heart, their life will change.
But if they are not ready to receive, it will be of no avail.
How then do we share the wonderful good news of Jesus? Instead of doing, we begin by being.
We are still. We know God is God and we are not. We know He is in everyone He created and He knows The Plans He has for them.
He knows The Plans He has for you. So before you begin, ask God to check your seed. Is The Truth you desire to share God’s Truth or simply what you always thought was truth?
Ask God to reveal any seeds of untruth that have crept into your seed bag. Get rid of them. Often you will find you have far less seeds than when you started, but the ones you have are good.
Ask God to check you out to be sure your motivations are true to Him? Why do you want to go witness to someone? Is it for you to get heavenly merit badges or is it to see The Light of Jesus begin to shine forth from inside another?
Is it possible the one you wish to “save” has been put in your path to save you? Are you humble enough to admit you are on the same playing field as any other person who struggles with sin? What can your intended target teach you?
The next best way to witness is come along with Jesus and let Him witness His Way. Remember He is inside you.
How did Jesus witness?
While He did teach crowds, much of His ministry was 1:1.
He let individual people know He saw them.
He chose them. He invited them into His Space, but He also entered their space.
He did ordinary things with them, like sharing a meal, walking together, taking a boat ride.
He talked about things they could relate to. His examples came not as abstract theological concepts, but instead things from their concrete familiar world.
He allowed people to interrupt what He was doing.
He allowed people to touch Him. He touched people.
He did not judge or condemn (except for those “blind guides” who were working against The Kingdom of God).
He was full of compassion. He grieved with people, sharing their pain, even when He knew their time of rejoicing was near.
He forgave, even those who were trying to kill Him.
He called for the best in people, not the worst. Even when Peter was decidedly rough around the edges, He told him he was The Rock upon which He would build His Church.
Jesus simply lived Who He was — Love incarnate.
He still lives today as Love in you and me.
How do we witness to people about The Love of God? Jesus told us and showed us.
“A new Command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
