I should have given you Part 2 of “Sharing Jesus With Others” (Lesson 184) in our last lesson. My mistake. So here it is.

All of us who know and love the Lord want our family members to trust Him also. I want to share some lessons teaching you how I share Jesus with others. Sometimes it can be so easy when we meet someone who is searching for truth and peace. Other times, it can be more difficult—especially with love ones who may not be so eager for spiritual discussion. So let’s begin there—right at home—with love ones or friends who may not want to listen to our words but who are watching our lives. We can earn the right to “talk it” when they see our lives that “walk it.”

I’m going to share eight things that people—especially family members—need to see in our  lives if we want to be a true testimony to the difference Christ has made in us. But first, it may help you to review Lesson 184 Part 1 to get the full picture. Why not do that right now?

Here are the qualities that the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives in order to make us effective witnesses—especially to love ones who know us best.

1. BE CONSISTENT

What do you and I want others to see in our Christian lives? We want them to see CONSISTENCY. That’s number one. Difficult loved ones will not be impressed if your life is up one day and down the next. For example, an unsaved wife or husband sees the believing mate act sweet one day and angry the next.

Paul said that those who studied him could see “…what manner I have been with you at all seasons.” (Acts 20:18) Is your life consistent or are you a yo-yo Christian—up and down? Is your physical presence clean and an example? How about your home, yard and car? Are you one of the best workers on your job? How do you behave toward loved ones? Do you consistently speak, act and react graciously? One of the biggest complaints from unsaved family members when asked to give an answer why they don’t listen to their Christian loved one is that they don’t see real consistency in that person’s life.

2. BE REAL

We Christians can be so desperate to see our loved ones saved that we are nervous in their presence. They feel these “religious vibes” and it turns them off. BE REAL. For example, let’s say you have a brother with whom you try to share Christ. He goes with you to a point and then shuts down. He lets you know that he would appreciate you not pushing him any further. What next?

Notice Jesus with His loved ones. Sometimes we forget that He did have loved ones—and according to Scripture “neither did his brethren believe in him.” (John 7:5) Did Jesus push the panic button? There is no record of it—not at all! He knew who He was, what He had, and that  if He just loved them unconditionally they would one day wake up to the fact that He was for real.

That’s just what happened and it can happen in your life. Begin to enjoy the company of your loved ones and learn to discuss some of their subjects. That doesn’t mean compromising your principles and committing sin. It could mean talking baseball with your brother or perhaps politics with another loved one who enjoys a debate— (keep it friendly). Become a little more human and you may find loved ones enjoying talking with you more and more. At times, they themselves will bring up the things of God and give you a great opportunity to share your testimony.

3. BE A SERVANT

Another way to witness to loved ones is through HUMILITY. Sometimes as Christians we think we have to be so spiritual or we will lose our loved ones if they even think that we do wrong. Stop worrying—they won’t think you can do wrong—they know you and I do wrong because loved ones know loved ones better than anyone.

I love Paul’s humility when the high priest had him slapped in the face. Paul lost his temper and delivered a verbal karate chop saying, “God shall slap you, you white washed pig pen.” (Acts 23:3 Living Bible) When he was informed he was addressing the high priest, he could have put on a spiritual air or excused his own rage. Instead, he admitted he did not know it was the high priest and that he should not have talked like that. What he was saying was, “I’m sorry.”

You may be a Christian, but you and I know we are nowhere near perfect. Be quick to admit your mistakes and sins that hurt anyone in your family. True humility always speaks louder than false pretense.

4. BE HONEST

Next is a powerful ingredient called HONESTY. But honesty must be practiced without flying it like a flag. For example, a young man I think highly of asked me to lie if his wife called to ask if I had seen him. I simply told him that I would not do that, but that if she did not ask me, I would not volunteer the information. I didn’t look at him and give him a long sermonette like, “From the moment I accepted Christ as my Savior I stopped my lying (and of course, I did). And the day you accept Christ will be the day you no longer lie, either. Besides, all liars go to hell!” That’s like throwing cold holier-than-thou water in his face and he probably will begin to avoid you.

And talking about honesty, make sure your bills are paid on time. Don’t make many promises, but if you do make some, keep them. And be honest with your loved one’s time. If you have told him that you will meet him at a certain time, don’t arrive fifteen minutes late just because it’s your loved one. Be on time, even if the other person isn’t, because that’s a sign that you value that person’s importance.

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras