How To Witness To Family, Friends And Co-Workers

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Ibelieve witnessing to family may be the hardest of all, but here’s a biblical approach on how to share Jesus Christ with family, friends and co-workers.

Prologue

Years ago, I remember going over to visit our church elder’s father-in-law. He was sick and apparently, dying. What happened when I got there and thereafter, profoundly changed me and everyone’s life who was involved in this.

On Death’s Door

Just three days before an elderly man died, I had a chance to talk to him. He was so weak he could not even speak.  I did not know he was about to die, but his daughter said she wasn’t sure he was saved, so she asked me to speak to him. I asked him, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” He nodded his head, yes. “Do you believe Jesus was sinless and was crucified on a cross and died, making payment for your sins and was raised on the third day?” Again, he nodded his head. Finally, I asked him, “Do you want to put your trust in Jesus Christ right now?” and he nodded his head yes…but I also noticed something. It was a small tear, but small as it was, it was a powerful message to me and to his daughter that he had come to saving faith in Jesus Christ because this was a man’s man…a former truck driver who himself onced looked like a Mack truck.  She had never seen him cry until that day he believed. All that was required was that He believe and he did!

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13).

His Ability

We know baptism doesn’t save, but it was a little late for that anyway, so I used a wet wipe on his hands. I think God would understand. That man heard the gospel exactly when God wanted him to hear it and he was saved. God is in control of the harvest.  We may never get a second chance with someone, but it is not our responsibility to save anyone.  It is their response to His ability, although it’s our responsiblity to share Christ.

The Spirit’s Work

It was not me that convicted this man and caused him to repent. No, it was the Holy Spirit and the Word of God spoken by a person of God that birthed a child of God, and it was for the glory of God. A new child of God was born, and just before his physical life was about to end. God’s always-perfect sovereign timing placed me there by His Spirit. Like I said, I didn’t know he was about to die, but God did! Take heart friends; God will move heaven and earth to get a witness to someone He desires to save, but it doesn’t’ depend on me or you….nor on the arm of flesh, but by His Spirit. That brings Him glory (Psalm 115:1).

No More Death

I am still not sure how God directed me to that man that day, as it was not in my original plans, but I am eternally grateful He did! Today he is alive forevermore, with no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more sorrow, and that’s the last he’ll ever see of death. I am so glad I didn’t resist the urge to share the good news with this man because I wouldn’t have gotten a second chance! Now, think about this: What if your friend or family member is suddenly taken away by a tragic accident? Have you shared the good news with them at all….or ever? You do realize they will die in their sins without repenting and trusting in Christ. None of us may get a second chance share the gospel with someone.

Opening a Spiritual Door

How can you start a conversation that will lead them to Christ/? We know that the latest survey says that 100 out of every 100 people will die, so you might ask them: “What do you think happens to a person after they die? Do you think you’d go to heaven or hell? If you met God, why should He let you into heaven?” It may seem cruel and unloving to mention the reality of hell, but in fact, it’s the most loving thing you could do for a person. If we fail to warn them about hell, and the hope we have in Christ, can we really say we are loving our neighbor as our self? Sharing Christ is one of the most loving things you can do!

I’m Okay

Someone once told me that they’re a very spiritual person.  I’ve heard others say, “I’m a pretty good person.” Ask them why they believe they’d go to heaven and see what they say. If they believe God would accept them because they’re a good person, remind them that our very best works are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), and the biblical truth is, “No one is righteous–not even one” (Rom 3:10).

Are You a Good Person?

Try this with anyone: “Would you consider yourself a good person? Do you think you’ve kept the Ten Commandments? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever lusted in your heart when you looked at a man? Jesus said that “anyone who looks at a woman (or man) and lusts in their heart after them has already committed adultery with her.” Jesus equates hating someone with murdering someone in their heart. Tell them that you’re like most people; by their own admission, they’ve lied, stolen, and are adulterer’s at heart. If God were to judge them according to the Ten Commandments, would they be guilty or innocent before God? You know the answer, of course.

A Court of Law

Let’s try this scenario in front of a judge. You’ve just stolen something or got busted with cocaine. Do you think the judge will let you go just because he’s a good person? No. It is because he is a good judge that he will convict you. If you tell him that you’ve done a lot of nice things in your life, do you think that will help you avoid your sentence? The Bible says that “all liars, adulterers, thieves, and murderers will be thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 21:8). Ask them, “Does that concern you?” I hope it does, as it did me at one time. The Holy Spirit alone can convict me and them of sin, but God does work through human agents to achieve the means to His ends. Sow the seed…leave the harvest up to God.

Being a Witness

God will move heaven and earth if necessary to get a witness to someone He desires to save, but it doesn’t’ depend on me….nor on the arm of flesh, but by His Spirit. That brings Him glory (Psalm 115:1). I am still not sure how God directed me to that man that day, as it was not in my original plans, but I am eternally grateful He did! Today, this elderly man is alive forevermore, with no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, no more sorrow, and that’s the last he’ll ever see of death. It was not through me but through Christ that this man had also escaped an eternal judgment on all who reject Christ (Rev 20:11-15). I am so glad I shared this good news with him and that is why I am sharing it with you today. You have no idea what tomorrow may bring. What if your friend or family member is suddenly taken away? If they die without repenting and trusting in Christ, then you will have no second chance share the gospel.

Conclusion

I don’t think we’ll be looking back in heaven with any regrets, unless they would be, “Why was I so shy and rarely shared Jesus Christ with my co-workers?” “Why was there no sense of urgency in my evangelism?” “Why was I embarrassed to speak about Jesus to my lost friends? Did I really fear God more than man?” “Why didn’t I ever bring up the subject of heaven or hell with my family members?” The fact is, we may never get a second chance to share Jesus Christ with someone. The next “Goodbye” could be one that lasts forever. We may never see that person we’ve been reluctant to share the good news with or we’ve never invited them to church.

No one knows what tomorrow brings (except for God). If they fail to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ before they die, all they have left is the judgment of God (Heb 9:27; Rev 20:12-15). Think about that…eternal separation from Christ! Let that break our hearts. We must warn them to flee the coming wrath of God and run to the Savior, for there is other shelter than the Rock. Put your trust in Him. My prayer for you is like the Psalmist’s: “let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause” (Psalm 25:3: King James Version).

Here is some related reading for you: What Does the Bible Say About Being a Witness?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Co-workers, evangelism, family, friends, gospel, Witnessing