Sharing the gospel with our testimony
There’s no greater gift that we can give anyone than the gift of Jesus in their lives. Not only will they be rescued from this present dark world, they will also be reconciled with their Creator into an eternal personal relationship with Him. Sharing the gospel therefore is best done with our personal testimonies of Jesus, so that it is not just an intellectual discourse about who God is. People can debate on many aspects of the Bible but no one can challenge our own personal experiences, especially when they see Jesus’ light shine through our lives that is irrefutable evidence that He is real.
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 用我们的见证分享福音 | 繁體中文 > 用我們的見證分享福音)
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 5:16 ESV In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Nothing demonstrates God’s salvation more clearly than a radically transformed life that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
The battle of the two conversations
The Bible also tells us that those who live in darkness are under the “power of Satan“, the father of lies. In reality, Satan has no real authority of his own. Jesus has already “destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil“. All Satan has is the power of confusion, obstruction, and deception.
Acts 26:18 ESV to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Whenever we testify of Jesus to others, the devil will also start to “preach” lies and plant conflicting arguments into their thoughts. This is the spirit of the antichrist that will deny that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again after three days.
1 John 4:3 ESV And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
The enemy will try to convince people they don’t need God, that Christianity is only for the weak or that Jesus isn’t who He says He is. The enemy will plant doubts and build walls of unbelief in people’s hearts as we speak to them about Jesus.
Spiritual blindness and unbelief are particularly strong in those who worship idols or practice any form of witchcraft, fortune-telling or superstition. Their minds will be “blinded” by Satan, the god of this world, and they will find it hard to perceive and understand the good news of Jesus’ salvation. It will be as if there is an invisible wall of unbelief that separates us from our unbelieving parents, siblings, friends and loved ones. It is easier to disagree on where to eat but much harder to agree on where our souls will end up, because we can’t see heaven or hell with our naked eyes.
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Luke 12:51-53 ESV Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This is one reason why the Bible tells us to avoid foolish controversies and arguments. “Winning arguments” does not win souls, God’s love does. It is pointless to argue with and persuade others when their hearts are still rock-hard against God’s love. They may even turn around to attack us later. This does not make for good relationship building.
Titus 3:9 ESV But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Matthew 7:6 ESV “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Important reminders
1. Our personal transformations are the most powerful testimonies
The best way we can testify for Jesus Christ is by obeying His Word and following His example. People may deny Jesus because they have not personally witnessed His resurrection, but they will not be able to deny the power of God when they personally witness our transformations through the power of His Holy Spirit. We become worthy ambassadors for Christ when we live as new creations for God’s glory.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18,20 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Our lives are open Bibles that “teach” others about God. We cannot merely talk about God without loving Him or obeying His commandments. Otherwise, our testimonies will be quickly discredited.
Matthew 15:7-9 ESV You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Moreover, good living testimonies can help to address many common objections to Christianity.
| Common objections | Possible responses |
| 1. “The Bible is outdated. All this happened 2,000 years ago and no one can prove it.” | “Yes, it does seem that way but I know Jesus is true and real. May I share my story with you?” |
| 2. “A lot of bad things have been done in the name of Christianity.” | “That’s right. Not everything done in the name of Christianity is from God. I used to do many bad things as a Christian before I really got to know Jesus Christ. Now, His Holy Spirit convicts my conscience. May I share my story with you?” |
| 3. “If God is love, why is there so much hate and suffering in the world?” | “Yes, you’re right. God is love. He loves us so much to give us free will to do good or do evil. He could have made us robots but He did not. He loves us so He respects our choices. But we are not very good at making the right choices all the time. That is why Jesus came to die for our sins and give us a fresh start. I have personally experienced this. May I share my story with you?” |
| 4. “There are so many gods out there. Aren’t all gods the same? What makes yours the true God?” | “Yes. That’s what I also used to think. I looked for peace and hope in many different gods, but now I know the difference between Jesus and the rest. May I share my story with you?” |
| 5. “I don’t need God or religion. I’m a good person and that is all that matters.” | “Yes. I used to think I was sinless too. Now I know that sin is a sickness of the heart. It is not a matter of our actions. If we are jealous or unkind only one time, darkness will already have entered our hearts. I couldn’t remove my inner darkness and realised I needed Jesus. He gives us His Holy Spirit to renew us. May I share my story with you?” |
| 6. “Unless God appears in front of me, I won’t believe.” | “I have found that God works in the unseen, not the visible. May I share my story with you?” |
| 7. “Religion is a crutch, I’m doing fine without a crutch. I’m enjoying my life.” | “I used to think I was doing fine because I was successful in many ways. But whenever I was alone, I didn’t feel any true joy or deep peace. Do you ever feel this way? May I share my story with you?” |
| 8. “Your God is not very loving, He rejects all other faiths.” | “When you marry someone, will you expect the person to stay faithful to you and not sleep around? God’s love for us is more intense than that. I am so glad I experienced how much He loves us. May I share my story with you?” |
| 9. “I don’t think God will accept me. I’ve done too many bad things.” | “I have done many bad things too and found that God has willingly forgiven them all. God is a perfect Creator and He wants His creation to flourish. That’s why Jesus came to earth. Jesus helps me turn from bad things. May I share my story with you?” |
| 10. “I have loved ones who have passed away. They might be in hell. I don’t want to abandon them.” | “If your loved ones are really suffering in hell, do you think they want you to join them? Or find a way to be saved and save the rest of your family? I am praying for my family members who are still alive while there is still time. May I share my story with you?” |
| 11. “Why do you say Jesus is God? Isn’t he merely a man?” | “As much as I care for you, I would not die for you. Only God is perfect and capable of dying for another person and resurrecting Himself. Jesus chose to die for us because of He is God. I know this to be true because I have personally experienced Jesus’ love. May I share my story with you?” |
| 12. “Why should I believe in what the Bible says since it is filled with inconsistencies?” | “People have said many things about the Bible, but have you personally studied it to see if what they say is true? The Bible has changed my life. May I share my story with you?” |
2. Don’t testify out of fear but out of love
Our Heavenly Father does not want anyone to perish in hell. He has been giving all of us lots of opportunities to repent towards Him.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Nonetheless, it is horrifying to imagine that one day, we will hear “weeping and gnashing of teeth” from those who reject Jesus and go to hell. Yet at the same time, we should beware not to evangelise out of fear. Fear is not from God. It only turns people off. God is patient and wise, and we need to reflect those qualities too. Although the time is urgent, we must choose to follow God’s lead because He knows the condition of people’s hearts and the best timing for them. If we rush ahead, we may unintentionally circumvent His plans.
Matthew 13:42 ESV The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
3. Love exceptionally well
Exceptional love always overcomes difficult situations and people, even the most hostile ones.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Our world is becoming increasingly selfish, cruel and chaotic. This is the perfect condition to shine Jesus’ radical love even more brightly in contrast. People need more love, not more miracles. As the Bible shows, some unbelievers’ hearts are so hard that even if Jesus appeared before them and performed many miracles before their eyes, they may still choose to reject Him.
John 12:37 NIV Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
4. Be prepared for persecution
Many homes and places are hostile towards the message of Jesus, particularly those that worship idols. We may encounter hatred and lies about who God is, and even be brought before the authorities because of our faith. Jesus pointed out that such opposition can be great opportunities to be a witness for Him. Let us not be discouraged by persecution but rejoice, because God may have specifically prepared such opportunities for us to share His good news. He tells us not to fear and promises that His Spirit will speak through us.
Luke 21:12-13,16 ESV But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness… You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death..
Matthew 10:19-20 ESV When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
5. Be ready to persevere
When we share the gospel with people who are still under the “power of Satan“, we can expect to face push-backs and hostility. This can go on for years. Our enemy will not give up those under his influence without a fight. Neither should we give up so easily. Our hope is in the God above all gods, nothing is impossible for Him. Sometimes, situations may even get quite severe before people become receptive to our Creator.
No great reward is won without great persistence. Therefore, let us persevere to love those who reject the gospel, so we don’t place stumbling blocks in their path to Jesus.
Matthew 19:26 ESV But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
2 Corinthians 6:3-7 ESV We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God…
Testimony: Sharing testimonies to lead coworker to Christ
“The Lord placed a co-worker on my heart to share the gospel with. We were having lunch one day, when I felt prompted to ask her about all what has been happening in the world and if she felt like the end of the world was coming.
She began to share her concerns for the state of world affairs, when I found an opportunity to tell her that the Bible forewarned believers about these things thousands of years ago. This was an opening for me to talk about Bible prophecies and how I have found peace through Jesus in spite of all that has been happening, because God is good and faithful to those who will listen and believe.
We met over a few more meals to share more about my walk with Jesus when I plucked up the courage to and said, “I think you’re ready to accept Jesus into your life.” She said she was indeed, but she was afraid to upset her husband who was against Christianity. The Holy Spirit inspired me to tell her that she needed to be the first one in the family to believe so that Jesus would be present in her home and would help her witness to her own family. That seemed to click for her and that day, my coworker accepted Christ.”
May this sharing be a blessing to you as you seek to love God with all your heart and share His good news to others.