Quote
Tom said:
when I could have used the occasion to share my faith, but I didn't.
As you said, may God continue His work in me.
Perhaps, Tom, you have a less than correct understanding of what it means to "share my faith" and thus the reason for your guilty feelings for not doing so? All too often I have perceived people holding the view that "sharing one's faith" to mean a direct proclaiming of the Gospel message, i.e., all men are sinners by nature with no desire nor ability to rectify the situation so as to be reconciled to God by repenting of their sins and believing upon the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not necessarily correct. In many instances, one's words in general conversation, a kind act, the avoidance of retaliation against one who has harmed you, etc., speaks volumes about that "faith" which dwells within you. We should take seriously Paul's words where he speaks about one "planting", another "watering" and God giving the increase. Following through with Paul's agrarian illustration, a farmer knows that his plants need to be fertilized. However, if he were to dump an entire truck-load of fertilizer on one plant, it would surely kill it. In short, it is prudent that one assess each situation individually and carefully so as to determine how much "fertilizer" (planting or watering) should be applied. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

[Linked Image]

simul iustus et peccator

[Linked Image]