The coming new heaven and new earth are real. So is hell. And so is death—the one appointment no one can break. Jesus Christ is eternal life. When he lives within us by the Holy Spirit, We are assured of life forevermore with Him (I John 5:13).

That’s why a true follower of Christ wants others to know the Lord. It’s why Jesus calls us to be His witnesses. We are called to shine as lights in a dark world (Matthew 5:16) so that others will listen to us when we tell them how they can receive the Lord and experience His love, peace, joy and hope.

We now conclude this lesson on eight things—godly qualities—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. In Part 2, I covered four of the Character qualities: 1) Be consistent; 2) Be real; 3) Be a servant; 4) Be honest. Here are the final four points that will cause others to see that Jesus is alive and real—in us!

5. BE STABLE

Something else your loved ones must see in your life is STABILITY. For the first few years of my Christian life I’m sure that many of my loved ones may have looked at me as a little weird. You know, out there in a “beautiful isle-of-somewhere” with no real interest in the real world. Some probably thought, “My poor brother has got ‘religion’—whatever that is.”

Now, over fifty years later, my loved ones can see that God has been good to me. They have seen that Norma and I have more than mere religion. We have a relationship with the Savior who is real and alive. My face isn’t lined with marks of alcohol and my marriage is one that many people envy. God has provided all of our needs. We are exhibiting stability in the midst of some of our precious loved ones whose lives lack peace and deep joy. We don’t make them feel uncomfortable—we’re just available to love, love, love! And over the years, we have had the privilege of leading family and friends to the Lord. Stability means that you and I run the Christian life like a race—with patience. (Hebrews 12:1) And long term stability is a great witness to loved ones who are watching others falling apart all around them.

6. BE COMPASSIONATE

Another ingredient is COMPASSION. That comes with having a passion for God. By having a morning and evening devotional, you can open up to the passion of God that He feels toward human beings and then allow His passion to flow through you toward your loved ones, friends and other.

The Bible says, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and     in truth.” (I John 3:18) Loving through actions means remembering anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. It means helping that loved one when he or she is sick or hurting—without bragging about it. It means a card, a flower, even a letter or gift for no occasion at all—just because you genuinely love that person. That kind of love is hard to find—and hard to fight.

7. BE CONFIDENT

The seventh important ingredient to add to your life and witness is the powerful force of CONFIDENCE. You and I must learn to be confident in God—even when our eyes tell us nothing is taking place with our loved ones. Ask your heavenly Father to save each of your family members just as he did for the Philippian jailer. (Acts 16:31) If He did it then, He can do it again. Praise God often—believing that He is working in the lives of your loved ones and using you as His physical representation of His loving concern for them. As you thank Him for your loved ones, you’ll begin to see qualities in their lives that you can really appreciate—even though they don’t yet know the Lord. And you’ll grow more confident in the Holy Spirit’s ability to convict of sin, righteousness and judgement (notice, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job, not yours or mine—John 16:8-11).

8. BE PATIENT

The final ingredient is PATIENCE. Remember the prodigal son leaving his father, wasting his life and feeding the pigs? There’s an interesting scripture in Luke 15:17 that says: “And when he came to himself.” It took a long time for that point in his life to come.

What was the father doing meanwhile? No doubt praying for his son, loving him and believing that the good foundation he had given his son through his own example would finally bear fruit. The story says that “…when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him…(Luke 15:20). That means he was watching because he expected his prayers to be answered.

Your prayers will be answered too, my friend. Adopt a patient attitude of love. Ponder all the beautiful and positive points in those unsaved loved ones and let them know how much you appreciate being around them. Tell them with words that ring with sincerity and truth how much you love them. God will tell you when and how.

As you pray for that person, seek God’s wisdom in how to demonstrate compassion through new and unique ways. If that loved one brings up the Lord or a religious subject, make your point honestly, humbly and graciously. If he shows openness, go as far as you are allowed. That may mean all the way to commitment to Christ which will thrill God and you to no end. However, if that loved one lets you know through word or reaction that he has heard enough, back off and change the subject. Loved ones will appreciate your giving them space and it will give them further courage to bring up the subject again. God knows how to ripen green fruit.

CONCLUSION

What I have shared with you are not profound secrets. On the contrary, they are merely the honest lessons of life I’ve learned the hard way in how to witness to my loved ones, neighbors and friends when they don’t want to listen. Now go to work loving your family members and others like they have never been loved before. And remember to pray this simple prayer, “Lord, let’s be partners in reaching my family and friends. I’ll love them and You change them.”

"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