Living Waters Explains How to Ignite Your Faith and Overcome Evangelism Barriers

Ray Comfort emphasizes that boldness is a fundamental requirement for Christians in evangelism, citing that followers of Jesus Christ are called to be 'fishers of men.' He points out that even the Apostle Paul, despite his stature, requested prayers for boldness in his speech. This highlights that engaging in witnessing is not merely an option but a core aspect of Christian identity, challenging common excuses like personal hesitations or busy schedules that deter believers from sharing their faith.

Ray Comfort outlines four counter-intuitive qualifications for Christian witnesses, drawing from Paul's model in 1st Corinthians 2:1. He asserts that a lack of eloquence, weakness, fear, and trembling are not obstacles but actual qualifications for spreading the Gospel effectively. This perspective challenges conventional notions that only articulate and confident individuals are suited for evangelism. Comfort argues that feeling scared, rather than disqualifying an individual, aligns them with biblical figures who also experienced trepidation, thereby validating their capacity to be powerful witnesses for Christ.

Comfort starkly describes lukewarmness as a "gross insult" to God, referencing Christ's warning in the Book of Revelation against such a state. He likens this spiritual apathy to a lack of devotion in a marriage, where indifference is profoundly offensive to the partner. This analogy underscores that a half-hearted commitment is not merely a benign state but an active affront to the divine. He challenges believers to consider the gravity of their spiritual temperature, urging a fervent and complete dedication to their faith.

Ray Comfort illustrates the profound impact of faith with a personal anecdote about receiving a trust fund promise of $3,500. He vividly recalls an immediate, overwhelming physical reaction to believing this promise, describing how he "jumped up out of my seat and, just full of energy, ran down the church hall." This experience, he explains, demonstrated that his faith in a man's promise, despite the distance and unfamiliarity, instantaneously produced joy. This joy, in turn, generated a palpable physical energy within his body, serving as a powerful testament to how faith acts as a direct catalyst for emotional and physical vitality.

Comfort contends that a lack of joy in a Christian's life is direct evidence of a lack of faith, equating it to sin. He dismisses superficial expressions of praise that lack genuine enthusiasm as disingenuous. He asserts that disbelieving God is tantamount to calling Him a liar, a deeply insulting act. The speaker challenges his audience to seriously consider the profound offense that disbelief represents, urging them to recognize that true faith is manifested through an undeniable joy and unwavering trust in God's word.

Ray Comfort highlights the Apostle Paul's remarkable endurance, noting that Paul faced chains, imprisonment, and even the prospect of death with joy. Paul famously declared that he did not count his life dear to him, as his ultimate motivation was to complete his ministry of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. This perspective underscores that Paul's profound love for God enabled him to transcend personal suffering, viewing his life as an instrument for a higher divine purpose.

Ray Comfort shares a powerful personal anecdote to illustrate how mature love can overcome paralyzing fear. He recounts an incident where his wife, driven by her "perfect love" for him, fearlessly confronted a violent man who was threatening her husband. Despite the inherent danger, her love served as an impenetrable shield, overriding any instinctual fear. Comfort likens this courageous act to the biblical story of David and Goliath, emphasizing how profound love can empower individuals to face seemingly insurmountable threats with unwavering resolve.

Comfort uses a vivid analogy of children playing in a fatal elevator shaft to emphasize the critical role of compassion in evangelism. He argues that most Christians hesitate to witness their faith primarily due to social awkwardness, a stark contrast to the urgent action one would take to save children in imminent danger. Ignoring the spiritual peril of others is deemed "ludicrous." He stresses that genuine compassion, fueled by love for those who are lost, is the only acceptable motivation for actively engaging in evangelism, highlighting that many Christians fail to act on these very reasons.

Ray Comfort reveals his unconventional evangelistic strategy: staging "mock funerals" in public spaces. He describes creating fake funeral scenes to intentionally draw attention and provoke curiosity among passersby. These dramatic scenarios serve as a deliberate pivot point for him to introduce the Gospel, as he uses the inevitability of death to highlight spiritual truths. Comfort contends that people are significantly more receptive to hearing the Gospel message when confronted directly with their own mortality, making these staged funerals a powerful and effective tool for outreach.

Comfort proposes that the inherent human 'will to live' serves as a legitimate and universal bridge for evangelism. He posits that this fundamental desire to avoid death is a shared trait among all people, regardless of their current happiness or circumstances. By recognizing and appealing to this intrinsic human instinct, Comfort argues that evangelists can effectively connect with individuals and steer conversations toward the Gospel. He emphasizes that this innate fear of death can create a fertile ground for discussing spiritual matters and eternal life.

Comfort explains the 'glory wave' gesture, a non-verbal communication shared between him and his friend Doug, signifying profound awe for God's omniscience and infinite creation. This gesture, he states, communicates a simple yet powerful message: "Isn't God incredible? Isn't God awesome?" He notes that such shared Christian enthusiasm, even when not explicitly evangelistic, can unintentionally pique the curiosity of non-believers. This demonstrates how genuine expressions of faith and wonder can subtly invite others to inquire about the divine nature and the source of such profound admiration.

Comfort delves into the concept of anthropomorphism, defining it as the attribution of human characteristics to God. He clarifies that while the Bible sometimes uses physical descriptions to help humans comprehend the divine, these are distinct from the spiritual reality of God's omnipresence. He contrasts human spatial limitations with God's infinite capacity to see from all perspectives, emphasizing that "the eye of the Lord is in every place." This distinction helps believers understand God's nature more accurately, moving beyond simplistic human-like representations to grasp His limitless spiritual reality.

Ray Comfort voices strong disapproval for modern gospel approaches that disregard God's law, asserting that the Law is the primary "converting instrument." He recounts his personal struggle with the negative consequences of contemporary evangelism, particularly in dealing with "backsliders" who, he believes, never experienced true conversion due to the omission of the Law. Comfort argues that without understanding the Law, individuals cannot fully comprehend their sinfulness or their need for a savior. He advocates for a return to a more traditional gospel presentation that emphasizes the foundational role of God's commandments in leading to genuine repentance and faith.

Ray Comfort shares a heartwarming story about buying a pair of sneakers for a man named Tony, whom he found in a local square. After a brief search, Tony eagerly approached him, and Comfort presented him with the new shoes. The act of giving brought immense personal satisfaction to Comfort, affirming the biblical principle that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." This anecdote underscores the profound joy and transformative power found in simple acts of kindness, highlighting how generosity can bring not only physical comfort to the recipient but also deep spiritual fulfillment to the giver.

Comfort presents a hypothetical scenario: if evangelists received $1,000 for every person they witnessed to, would their zeal increase? He uses this thought experiment to challenge the common 'fear of man' that hinders believers from sharing their faith. He questions why individuals might overcome their fear for financial gain, yet struggle to do so out of love for God. This comparison highlights a fundamental conflict, asserting that one "cannot serve God and Mammon," thereby urging believers to re-evaluate their true motivations for evangelism.

Ray Comfort summarizes three essential keys to igniting one's faith for God. First, he reiterates that faith is the engine that produces joy, which, in turn, generates physical energy. Second, he emphasizes the motivating force of mature love for God, which effectively casts aside all fear. Lastly, Comfort highlights the critical role of compassion; by reflecting on the dire fate of the ungodly, believers are compelled, like Paul, to persuade men, knowing the terror of the Lord. These three elements—faith, love, and compassion—form the foundation for zealous and effective evangelism.