Haase_UZ_x007E_DTh (2).pdf - South African Theological Seminary

Those who truly know Jesus Christ are mandated and compelled to make Him known
to others. Sharing the faith means witnessing, or telling others, about God’s love and
goodness -- not manipulating, or forcing others to believe as we do, because the gospel
never gives the believer license to do so. “Persuasion becomes intolerant and arrogant
when we use imposition and manipulation” (Fernando, in Carson, 2000:127). God wants
His people to live at peace with their neighbours, but also never to compromise their
faith, even if it means bringing ridicule, and/or troubles upon us (cf., Mat. 10:34f). The
balanced witness should also make others aware of God’s inevitable judgment upon all
flesh, for His nature is rooted in love and justice. This truth and tension keeps God’s own
alert, obedient and motivated, for the Father does chastise His children for their own good
(cf., Heb. 12:4f). It is vital that those yet distant from God, learn of the coming judgment,
for many have come to faith in Christ as a result.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night, in which the heavens will pass away
with a great noise, and the elements will melt
with fervent heat; both the earth and the works
that are in it will be burned up. Therefore,
since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy
conduct and godliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved,
being on fire, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat Nevertheless we, according to
His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells
(2Pe. 3:10-13).
Sharing the love of God is imperative, and part of a holistic, incarnational witness.
Yet, God’s people cannot forsake sharing the truths He has revelationally provided (cf.,
Jer. 28; 2Pe. 1:21), which inevitably leads to the exclusive claims of Christ Jesus, a very
difficult thing for others to accept (cf., Joh. 14:6). The “Christian faith cannot surrender
the conviction that God, in sending Jesus Christ into our midst, has taken a definitive and
eschatological course of action and is extending to human beings forgiveness,
justification, and a new life of joy and servant-hood, which, in turn, calls for a human
response in the form of conversion” (Bosch, 1991:488).
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University of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa