Don't Hide Your Faith in a Subculture

Whitney Hopler

Living out your faith is so much easier and safer when you surround yourself with other Christians. But God never intended His people to hide within a subculture. He wants each Christian to fully participate in the larger culture, building meaningful relationships with others that will transform the world one life at a time.

Here are some ways you can pursue a fearless faith that makes a significant difference in our world:

• Stop seeking safety in the world. Realize that God never promised safety in this life; in fact, Jesus warned of troubles in our fallen world. Place your trust in Jesus Himself rather than in isolating yourself from non-Christians.
• Embrace your mission as God's ambassador. Understand that God wants you to fulfill His purposes for your life, and an important part of that is living out your faith in front of a watching world He wants to seek Him.
• Rather than trying to influence the larger culture through a siege mentality such as boycotts and political legislation, strive to engage the culture in constructive ways through building friendships with non-Christians and using your skills and talents to contribute positively to the culture. Rather than fostering a view of Christianity as just one more special interest group, show everyone you interact with the Gospel in action in every aspect of your life.
• Question your assumptions about non-Christian people, and take the time to genuinely get to know them. Listen to them with interest and respect rather than trying to give them prepackaged answers to every issue in life. Rather than viewing them as projects and making it your mission to convert them before getting to know them, view them as people God loves and make it your mission to build meaningful relationships with them that allow them to see Jesus at work in your life.
• Don't rely on Christian products to identify you as a Christian. Live a life that speaks clearly for itself about your faith. For example, instead of wearing a t-shirt with a Bible verse on it, apply that verse to your life and bless other people through your faith. Then, when people ask you about the faith you've illustrated through your life, you've earned the credibility you need to share Bible verses so that people will actually consider them.
• Understand that the sacred and profane mix in daily life, and that good and bad mix in every person. Be honest and vulnerable so people can see that you're not perfect, but that you trust in God's grace to help you grow. Realize that non-Christians aren't completely bad and affirm the good aspects of their lives while praying for them to trust God.
• Ask God to give you His love for others so you can serve them and refrain from judging them.
• Pray often for non-Christians you know. Realize that it's ultimately the Holy Spirit who changes a person's heart. Strive to be a good witness, but don't try to save someone yourself.
• Live a well-rounded life. Build relationships with non-Christians around interests you all have in common. Realize that once you establish a good friendship with someone, natural opportunities to talk about faith will eventually come up.
• Don't be threatened by people who challenge your faith. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead people who are truly seeking God into the truth. Have confidence in God's guidance and strength to help you love people in exactly the right ways at exactly the right times.
  

Adapted from Fearless Faith, copyright 2002 by John Fischer. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Or. Look for this book in your local Christian bookstore or buy it online by clicking on the link below.

John Fischer has been mixing his unique combination of singing, speaking, and humor for a variety of audiences for more than 30 years. His books include 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me) and the award-winning Saint Ben. He graduated from Wheaton College and has served as Artist in Residence at Gordon College, Seattle Pacific University, and Baylor University.

Are most of the people you know Christians or non-Christians? What challenges do you face when interacting with non-Christians, and how have you been able to build meaningful relationships with them? Visit Crosswalk's forums to discuss this topic by clicking on the link below.