Sharing Christ in Secular Everyday Settings and Conversations
Sharing Christ in secular, everyday settings involves a holistic approach to Christian living, encompassing both verbal communication and practical demonstrations of faith. The New Testament emphasizes that a believer's entire "conversation" or manner of life should align with the Gospel [9]. This means that the way Christians conduct themselves, interact with others, and respond to daily circumstances serves as a testimony to their faith [2].
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, prays for "a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ" [1]. This highlights the need for divine enablement in finding opportunities to articulate the Gospel message. Such opportunities may arise in various contexts, from casual conversations to more intentional discussions. The term "conversation" in older translations, such as the King James Version of Philippians 1:27, refers not merely to spoken words but to one's overall conduct and citizenship [2, 9]. John Gill, commenting on this verse, explains that it refers to behaving "as citizens worthy of the Gospel," encompassing one's outward behavior in the world and ensuring it gives no offense [9]. This broader understanding of "conversation" suggests that sharing Christ is not limited to explicit evangelistic encounters but is an ongoing aspect of a Christian's life.
A significant aspect of sharing Christ in everyday settings is the concept of "holy conversation." Malachi 3:16 mentions that "the Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name" [3]. This verse, interpreted in Torrey's Topical Textbook, suggests that God approves of and marks such conversations [3]. These discussions are not necessarily formal sermons but can be informal exchanges among believers that reflect their reverence for God and their commitment to His name. While this specific verse refers to conversations among those who already fear the Lord, the principle of God-honoring speech extends to interactions with those outside the faith, demonstrating the character of Christ through words.
Beyond verbal communication, practical acts of love and service are crucial for sharing Christ. The book of Hebrews encourages believers "to do good and to share with those in need," identifying these actions as "basic Christian sacrifices" that characterize life within the Christian community [5]. This includes showing hospitality, especially to those in need or those exiled for their faith, viewing them as representatives of Christ [7]. Such hospitality should be offered "without grudging" and with "open-hearted sincerity," avoiding any secret complaints or upbraiding of the recipient [7]. John Gill, in his commentary on Romans 12:13, discusses "distributing to the necessity of saints," noting that while all people in want should be relieved, those "of the household of faith" have a particular claim on the church's care [8]. Adam Clarke, commenting on Galatians 6:10, similarly emphasizes doing good to all, but especially to "those who are of the household of faith," recognizing them as members of the same family with Christ as its head [12]. These acts of kindness and generosity serve as tangible expressions of Christian love, which can open doors for verbal witness.
The communal aspect of Christian life also plays a vital role in sharing Christ. The "communion of saints" involves mutual support, encouragement, and edification [3]. This communion is with God, with saints in heaven, and with each other [3]. It is manifested in public and social worship, in the Lord's Supper, in prayer for one another, and in mutual comfort and exhortation [3]. Colossians 3:16 instructs believers to "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" [4]. This internal strengthening of the Christian community, through shared wisdom and worship, equips believers to live out their faith authentically in the world. The warmth and sympathy derived from social ties, particularly Christian ties, are noted as significant [6].
The unity of believers is also presented as a powerful witness to the world. Jesus prayed "that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" [10]. This unity, rooted in the indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son, creates a living bond among believers and with God, which makes a "grand impression" upon the world, leading them to believe in Christ's divine mission [10]. When Christians demonstrate genuine unity and love, it provides a compelling testimony that can draw others to the Gospel.
Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Philippians 3:15, suggests that all "good Christians" are agreed on making "Christ all in all" and setting their hearts on "another world" [11]. This shared focus, despite differences in other sentiments, forms a common ground for Christian living and witness [11]. The consistent pursuit of Christ and heavenly things, as exemplified by Paul, serves as a model for believers [11].
In essence, sharing Christ in secular everyday settings is not merely about isolated evangelistic efforts but about a consistent, Christ-like lifestyle that integrates verbal witness with practical love and communal unity. It requires a readiness to speak about Christ when opportunities arise, coupled with a life that embodies the values and character of the Gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of faith through actions and relationships.
Sources
- Colossians “praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; -- Colossians 4:3”
- King James Version “[KJV] Philippians 1:27 — Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:16 (BSB) — Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:16: 13:16 to do good and to share with those in need: These are basic Christian sacrifices (6:10; 10:24, 34; 13:1-3); they characterize life in the Christian community.”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 4:11: (See on Kg1 1:1). The image is taken from man and wife, but applies universally to the warm sympathy derived from social ties. So Christian ties (Luk 24:32; Act 28:15).”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:9: (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2.) Not the spurious hospitality which passes current in the world, but the entertaining of those needing it, especially those exiled for the faith, as the representatives of Christ, and all hospitality to whomsoever exercised from genuine Christian love. without grudging--Greek, "murmuring." "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity," that is open-hearted sincerity; with cordiality. Not secretly speaking against the person whom we entertain, or upbraiding him with the favor we have conferred in him.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:13: Distributing to the necessity of saints,.... Or "communicating", as many versions render the word; "distributing" more properly belongs to the officers of the church, the deacons, and communicating to the members of it in common. All men in general are to be relieved that are in want, even our very enemies, and particularly such as are our own flesh and blood, nearly related to us, aged parents, &c. and especially they that are of the household of faith, here called "saints"; and indeed, such only come under the care and notice of a church: and they are such, whom Go”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ,.... Or "behave as citizens worthy of the Gospel"; for not so much their outward conversation in the world is here intended, which ought to be in wisdom towards them that are without; so as to give no offence to any, and to put to, silence, the ignorance of foolish men, and them to confusion and: shame, who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ; though this is what is highly becoming professors of the Gospel; and a moral conversation proceeding from principles of grace, under the influen”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”
- Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 3:15: The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and set our hearts upon Christ and heaven, as he did. 1. He shows that this was the thing wherein all good Christians were agreed, to make Christ all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. This is that whereto we have all attained. However good Christians may differ in their sentiments about other things, this is what they are agreed in, that Christ is a Ch”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:10: As we have - opportunity - While it is the time of sowing let us sow the good seed; and let our love be, as the love of Christ is, free, manifested to all. Let us help all who need help according to the uttermost of our power; but let the first objects of our regards be those who are of the household of faith - the members of the Church of Christ, who form one family, of which Jesus Christ is the head. Those have the first claims on our attention, but all others have their claims also, and therefore we should do good unto all.”