Question: What non-believer can you build a relationship with, have gospel conversations with, or invite to church?
It’s so easy for us as Christians to shield ourselves from non-Christians. If we’re honest, they make us feel a little uncomfortable at times. The longer we are Christians, the easier it is to be disconnected from those who don’t follow Christ. We have been called to live in the light (John 8:12; 12:35-36; 1 John 1:7), so it’s difficult at times to be around those who are “in the dark.” However, Jesus declared that we are also “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Light is most helpful in the presence of darkness. That’s why Jesus said a “city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:15). Lights are not to be hidden, but to be revealed to give light (Matthew 5:15).
So, in order to fulfill the Great Commission, we must be intentional about building relationships with people. If not, we will tend to become satisfied with our Christian friends and not reach out to those without Christ.
Who do you know that does not know Christ? What non-believer can you build a relationship with…not to preach to them or judge them, but to love them and share the good news of Jesus’ love, grace and forgiveness?
I want to encourage us all to do a few things…
- Develop a prayer list of people you know who are not followers of Christ
- Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with them
- Be intentional about building a relationship with them…invite them to lunch, talk to them, serve them, be a godly presence and witness to them.
- Take the Swift Creek challenge to take someone to Chick-fil-a over the next few weeks and begin (or continue) to build a relationship with them. As a church, we are giving away $10 Chick-fil-a gift cards to anyone who will commit to building relationships with a non-Christian. They will be available this Sunday morning in the Main Hallway.
- Invite them to attend church with you on Easter Sunday. We will have cards with our Easter services information available this Sunday. Please take as many as you’d like. Use them to invite others to come hear the Good News.
There’s no greater feeling in the world than to share the gospel…the good news…with someone who needs Jesus to rescue them. Let me encourage you to do that…in a relational and conversational way.