Sharing Your Faith
- Feb 12
- 3 min read
From The Warfighter's Study Bible
Sharing your faith is an important part of being a disciple of Christ. Yet, in the pluralistic environment of the Military, the fear of crossing boundaries may keep us from sharing our faith with others. Here are a few time-tested principles to guide us.
In the first chapter of the Bible, God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Genesis 1:26b). This reminds us that we are all created in God's image. As such, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As Christians, we keep this truth in focus as we share our faith in Christ, avoiding behaviors intended to manipulate or coerce, whether subtly or overtly, and we do not publicly criticize others and their beliefs.
Tolerance has been culturally redefined to mean that every truth claim must be accepted as equally true and valid. That is logically impossible. The very existence of several strong and varied religious traditions is evidence of that. Under the Constitution that we promise to support and defend, true tolerance means we recognize that everyone has a right to their own beliefs and we will defend that right even if we think what they believe is wrong. We should expect the same respect from others.
Civility appears to be a lost art in our culture, but it is an essential skill for Christian witness. Arguments about faith get us nowhere. When we engage in religious dialogue, it is beneficial to do so in a civil manner. We can start by looking for common ground, by looking for common life experiences, traditions, and values we share with others.
Often, the most fruitful witness is simply sharing the story of how we have encountered God in the circumstances of life. Be alert for open doors to share your faith experience, especially in response to someones question. Additionally, asking thought provoking questions about the ultimate issues of life can lead to opportunities to share the Good News. We humbly ask questions, recognizing this approach is likely to be more effective than dogmatic declarations.
The apostle Paul's advice to Timothy to be "a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) is useful for us. Being an effective witness requires that you become a student of God's Word and of your own worldview. You cannot share what you don't understand very well. Take time to study Scripture and read some basic books like James W. Sires The Universe Next Door or Rebecca McLaughlin's Confronting Christianity.
Remember that as Christians our witness is a combination of word and deed. Opportunities for verbal witness usually flow from a Christian life consistently, openly, and humbly lived. Learn a method for sharing the gospel story that feels natural to you. There are many Christian digital and print resources that can help you in your quest to be an effective witness.
Finally, if you are a leader, avoid the appearance of using your position to unduly influence subordinates or using government assets to promote your views. Don't be afraid of sharing your life story and how your faith influences your values. If you need guidance, ask your chaplain. He or she is your unit's religious affairs expert and can give you sound advice.
More Scripture for Further Study
Matthew 5:16
Acts 1:8
1 Peter 3:15
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