Simple Truth

For the most part, Christians feel insecure and awkward about talking to a non-believer about faith. Most feel inadequate when it comes to their level of knowledge and/or eloquence. They feel they don’t know what to say or how to say it. So sadly, they frequently say nothing. What about you?

In many cases, very little needs to be said. Often, effectively sharing our faith doesn’t require a ready answer to every theological and philosophical objection. We don’t have to get into a deep explanation of biblical reliability or the historicity of Jesus. It’s not necessary to come to the point of needing to refer the person with whom we’re sharing to our pastor or our favorite Bible scholar. Sometimes we simply need to be willing to speak. God’s timing, along with Holy Spirit assistance, does the rest.

For example, consider this story:

As a researcher and physician, Francis Collins' credentials and accomplishments are well-respected in the scientific community. He headed up the Human Genome Project before serving as the Director of the National Institutes of Health. In 2007, he also wrote a New York Times best-selling book, The Language of God, which weaves together the story of his work as a world-renowned scientist and his journey from atheism to faith in Christ.

Interestingly, although Collins is thoroughly committed to rational inquiry and the scientific method, God also used people and nature to lead Collins to Christ. As a gifted medical student, Collins thought it was "convenient to not have to deal with God." But then, after one of his patients told Collins about her faith, she asked him, "What about you? What do you believe?" In Collins’ own words, "I stuttered and stammered and felt the color rising in my face, and I said, 'Well, I don't think I believe in anything.' But it suddenly seemed like a very thin answer. And that was unsettling."

Then after a long period of searching, which included grilling a pastor and reading C.S. Lewis, Collins finally came to Christ after watching the beauty of creation.

So, how intimidated would you be to raise the question of faith with a bona fide Brainiac? His patient’s willingness to share about her faith and then follow up with a simple question: What about you? became the catalyst for Collins’ faith journey. God did the rest. You don’t have to be intimidated. You have your faith story and you have the Truth. No one will argue with your story and they can’t effectively deny the Truth. Oh, they may try, but the shocker is that many don’t try and they’re left to grapple, trying to make sense of their lives in light of the simple Truth you shared.

What about you? Quite possibly, it wasn’t a perfectly crafted, flawlessly delivered sermon that resulted in you seriously considering faith in God. Chances are it was the simple truth about Jesus, shared authentically and plainly, by a sincere believer. God did the rest.

Even the most basic truth about Jesus becomes quite compelling to an unbeliever in the right context. Take someone with an inside track on the detailed truth about things like human genetics, for example. It’s hard to deny a Creator’s fingerprint when you’re staring at such powerful evidence. Then take straightforward biblical facts such as Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,” and combine it with a humble, uncomplicated testimony of a sincere believer. Does the Holy Spirit of God need more than that to move someone to seriously consider faith?

Don’t get me wrong. I am and always will be a big believer in being “…ready to make a defense…to everyone for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Know your stuff. But sometimes people just need to see the obvious truth about Jesus along with the obvious difference He’s made in you. So, what about you?

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” —ROMANS 1: