Personal, not private

Today the general mentality in society is that faith issues are private matters. That's one reason folks are hesitant about sharing their faith with others. We have bought into the prevalent attitude that it's no one else's business what someone believes. It's true that our perspectives on religious faith are personal, but for the Christian, they aren't private. We certainly respect the views of those who differ from us, and we have no interest at all in imposing our faith on anyone. Yet we have the responsibility to express our Christian faith in witness to others in as winsome and caring fashion as possible. The fact that our faith is personal is indeed one of the most important facets of that witness. It allows us to speak and act from experience. We are representing what has been most meaningful to us, what has made a lasting difference in our lives.

At the same time, we accord anyone the right and privilege to disagree with us, or to decline to consider the gospel for themselves. That we are convinced of the truth of the message of Christ does not mean we are condescending or coercive or combative with those who disagree. Sometimes Christians feel affronted when their personal witness is rebuffed or ridiculed. The natural tendency, then, is to lash out, to "fight back." But of course that response undermines the very witness we strive to embody. So rather, we cultivate the capacity to be faithful in sharing our personal relationship with Christ, while remaining open to dialog, discussion and even disagreement with others. We trust, ultimately, in the work of the Holy Spirit to use our testimony for the divine purpose.