Where do you find your motivation for sharing your faith? There are many possible motivations. Guilt-feelings can motivate for a little while. So can the passion of a charismatic leader. Duty is sometimes a very good motivator. What is your motivation?
Paul was very clear about his motivation for sharing his faith (which he calls the ministry of reconciliation); it was the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14). He was constrained, that is, held or bound by the love of Christ. Ministry without the constraining influence of the love of Christ in our hearts and lives often ends up as one of two things: drudgery or egotism. A true God honoring ministry of faith-sharing is controlled by the love of Christ for us.
This love was shown for us in a very specific way, through Christ’s death on the cross (Romans 5:8). His death produces new life in us. We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). As new creations we also have a new purpose, the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Our part in this ministry is as ambassadors. An ambassador speaks for his or her government according to the instructions of her government, and shares important, purposeful information. Sometimes one must defend the government. An ambassador never represents his or her own interests, only those of the government. How the message is related and defended is vitally important. It may determine how the message or defense is heard and understood.
How do you represent your king, Jesus Christ, when you share or defend your faith?
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