Witnessing

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” 1 Peter 3:15
‘Witnessing’ is a word that strikes fear into the heart of many Christians. It conjures up images of door-knocking, street-preaching, handing out tracts, saying to everyone you meet, ‘Do you know where you are going when you die?’
I would argue that the above is not really witnessing, but evangelism. And here’s why: evangelism is something that not every believer is called to. Not all are evangelists, just as not all are prophets or pastors or teachers. For myself I am much more drawn to teaching the word to others and discipling them, than I am to evangelism.
But all believers are called to be witnesses.
Let’s think about what it means to be a witness. In a courtroom, a witness is summoned because they have seen or experienced something. They are asked questions about what happened, and they answer truthfully. So too, as we go about our daily lives, people will ask us questions: “Why don’t you swear or tell dirty jokes?” “How come you’re always so honest?” Even, “So what did you get up to at the weekend?” can be answered with, “Well, on Sunday I went to church.” These questions will come up, and we need to be ready to answer them – giving a reason for the hope that we have. There’s no need to be defensive about it – they asked you, remember.