Jamie Dew offered five ways to navigate a “sea of non-believers” for New Mexico Baptists.
Recently speaking New Mexico Evangelism Conference, the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College, asked the audience, “How do you minister to a world that hates you?”
He acknowledged that many non-Christians think believers feel “we are bad people for what we believe and bristle over it.”
“How do you respond to that?” he asked the audience.
Dew noted five things Christians must remember as they share Christ in a hostile world.
First, remember that suffering for Jesus’ sake is an honor, Dew said, adding that, secondly, believers should keep God foremost in their hearts and allow themselves to be set apart as holy.
“The most important thing you can do is to love Jesus,” Dew declared.
Third, believers must be prepared to provide an answer to those who ask about their hope.
“Always preach Christ,” Dew encouraged, “and be sure to tell your story, as it confirms the reason for your hope.”
Fourth, he said believers must always be kind and respectful when sharing Christ, and fifth, they must have a clear conscience.
“When people defame you, you will know your walk with the Lord is consistent. A good conscience is internal.”
During an evening session Dew began by asking, “Do you ever feel insignificant? Why did God pick you?”
Calling the humble
He said when answering that question many think of their strengths. But weaknesses are why God picks us, not strengths, Dew asserted.
“He seeks to do something in you that only God can do. God seems to prefer the underdog.”
Noting God chooses the “nothings of this world,” Dew reminded attendees of God’s call to Moses who, though he grew up in wealth, actually was a common laborer. Moses told God He needed to find someone else, but God had other plans.
Sometimes God chooses the “nothings” to humble the proud and glorify Himself, Dew said. He noted God calls the humble and wants to use “a nothing” to reveal His power, do what only He can do and not take the glory for themselves.
‘God sees you’
“Is it enough for you that God sees you?” Dew asked.
He encouraged the audience to remember God Himself is the source and supply for all that’s needed.
“When you step into moments bigger than you, God shows up,” Dew asserted, explaining there is no wisdom without God.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Joy Pittman and originally published by the Baptist New Mexican.
