Luke 23:32–47

Family Bible Study
University Relations, Samford University; Southwestern Seminary graduate

You Have a Motive
Luke 23:32–47
Ballroom dancing is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance with the popularity of the television program and contest, “Dancing with the Stars.” One marvels at the speed, agility, strength and stamina of these dancers who move so gracefully across the dance floor. Of all the dances in these competitions, the waltz is probably the most familiar, if not the most popular.

In order for a waltz to be performed properly, the dancers must learn and assume the correct posture: back straight, shoulders square, elbows raised. Proper posture is important for almost every endeavor in life because posture has to do with one’s approach to any initiative. Lawyers must know how to approach a case; a builder must have knowledge of how to properly lay a foundation for a new house; a teacher must approach the task of teaching with an understanding of how a student learns best in order to succeed in educating the child.

When Christians are learning how to share their faith and to express heartfelt motive to win people to Christ, the posture we bring to these relationships is crucial. Proper posture for sharing our faith in Christ has to do with how we feel as we approach the opportunity to witness or what attitude controls our conversation in a witnessing situation. Are we filled with fear and dread as we move to witness? Or do we approach the command and challenge to share Christ with a joyous enthusiasm? Sharing Christ with an unbeliever is enhanced when we bring the proper posture to the task — the posture of relaxed, joyous confidence.

A proper witnessing posture can be learned and assumed as we invest time cultivating healthy relationships with non-Christian friends. Our understanding of the human condition from a biblical perspective provides us avenues for listening to and connecting with these friends. We know that all people are in need of forgiveness of sin, an assurance of eternal life and a purposive relationship with God.

 If a person expresses chronic fears about the future, then we find ourselves with the chance to witness of our hope of eternal life and heaven. We may hear a friend speak of the endless, mundane routine of his life, a sense of making no real progress or achievement in life. Since we live each day for God’s glory, we have purpose and meaning in our lives. We live for God’s glory. We can witness to how God’s purpose and glory can be found.

There are no better words spoken in the Bible than the ones spoken by Jesus from the cross. In the face of cruel hazing from the crowd, nailed to a tree and, then the most humiliating indignity of the crucifixion, stripped naked of His clothing, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” A thief experiences in the person of Jesus Christ the very presence of God, and he asks to be remembered in His Kingdom. The astounding response promises paradise to this miserable criminal, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life are the chief motivations for any Christian to witness to win people to faith in Christ. But if the Christian cannot move with correct posture into relationships with the non-Christian, then how can the motivation to witness be expressed? If the Christian cannot approach a lost person with genuine compassion, then how can the witness be made and the person won to Christ?

At this point, practice makes all the difference. Just like the polished ballroom dancers invest hours of practice to learn the proper posture and skills of the dance floor, the Christian must approach and engage the unbeliever in relationships of trust, respect and care in order to experience the joyous thrill of sharing the faith of salvation in Jesus Christ. You and I may stumble, stutter, freeze up or fail in our initial attempts at witnessing, but if we persist in the effort, then we will soon be gliding graciously into opportunities to share our faith and God will bless our efforts with people receiving salvation through Jesus Christ.