Christ's Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 mandates that Christians are to go and make disciples for Him. I think Jesus wanted us to share our faith in Him in the most loving, alluring way possible, by lifting up Jesus. "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself" (John 12:32, NLT).

In its original context, this passage refers to the death of Christ on the cross and the spiritual dynamic it involves. Additionally, it applies is to the ongoing task of lifting Christ by sharing him with others.

We lift up Christ by teaching, preaching and consistently living out the powerful principles of His life. I wish I had mastered this, the art of sharing Christ and living for Him, but I am still a work in progress. God, however, never said for us to wait until we had perfected our techniques or were perfect ourselves before we invite others to discipleship. Instead, we are to share out of our incompleteness what the Complete Savior has done for us and is doing in us.

The Holy Spirit uses a multitude of means to reach people—some I'm sure we aren't even aware of—yet it seems to me that God's preferred method is people reaching other people.

Public evangelism is still effective in reaching large numbers (I am not advocating numbers for numbers sake), but this by no means replaces personal work for souls.

So how do we do it? How can we share Christ with others we meet or work with, especially without being offensive? While I am no expert at personal witnessing, there is one thing I have found to be easier than other methods. It's more of an entering wedge than a complete process, but it's simple. Just telling people how God has blessed me seems to work.

When I discuss Christ-centered doctrine, people sometimes disagree quite strongly. Once, while waiting with others for a haircut in a barbershop, a man expressed his belief in the immortality of the soul, telling all who listened that his dead aunt visited him frequently. I quickly recited scriptural references that deny the possibility. He became angry and threatening toward me. I thought that I might become a victim of his rage and was impressed that I had said quite enough and ended my impromptu Bible study on the spot!

On other occasions, when I have discussed our church policy, practices and procedures, people lose interest.

On the other hand, when I tell them how God has helped me with my problems or challenges, they listen attentively.

There's power in personal witness. People don't argue with me when I tell them how God has blessed me. Even professed atheists and agnostics give me their full attention when I testify to the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are some observations I've made while praising God to others.

First, I'm reminded of the wonderful God we serve. His promises, such as, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," and "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:5, 8), seem fresh and renewed.

Secondly, a window of hope opens for others. As the old song says, "It is no secret what God can do, what He's done for others, He'll do for you."

Finally, the thoughts I share may embed themselves in the mind of others, and at God's own timing, He can use them to His own glory to bring someone to Himself.

Sharing our faith in Christ may be easier when we speak of His goodness to us.