First, let's recognize a basic fact. Every Christian is a missionary. Any person who has been born into the family of God through faith and trust in Jesus Christ automatically receives the Lord's commisission.

Paul informed the Corinthians, "We are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20) God makes His appeal through you and me. Have you ever really concidered this-that you are all some people will ever know of Jesus Christ? Tremendous responsibility and infinite privilege are entrusted to us representeditives of Christ.

From our Lord's conversation with the Samaritian woman at a well near Sychar (John 4:6-26), we discover some practical basic principles to follow as we try to represent Him in a realistic, naturaly way:

1. Contact others socially.

"Jesus, therefore, being wearied with His journey sat thus on the well; and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water..." (John 4:6,7)

We must have social contact with non-Christians. When the Lord called Simon and Andrew, He said, "Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17). Among other things, He was teaching them thta to catch fish one must go where the fish are.

We need to understand that withdrawal from those who do not know Jesus Christ is outright disobedience to the will of the Lord. Much of our difficulty is this area stems from falsely equating seperation with isolation from non-Christians.

We need to discover hos we can initiate and develop friendship with non-Christians. To be a friend may involve listening to a neighbour's or co-worker's troubles or participating with him inactivities that are of mutual interest. It means actively seeking opportunities to show love be running errands, baby-sitting and performing any other mundane but practical service that will demonstrate the love of Christ.

If you discover an absence of vital contact with non-Christians, ask God to show you one person whom He wants you to befriend, pray for, love and eventually bring to the Saviour. He will show you that one.

"Jesus saith unto her, Give Me a drink. For His diciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat" (John 4:7,8).

Jesus began by referring to something in which she was obviously interested. (She'd come to draw water.) Gradually He directed the coversation away from this known interest to a spiritual reality which she knew nothing about. As instruments in God's hands, we must work patiently to establish mutual interests with others, beginning first where their interests lie. Later on we can profitably discuss spiritual matters together.

When we listen long enough we not only begin to know an individual; we also gain his gratitude and his willingness to listen to the gospel.

In John 4, it is fascinating to see this woman's curiosity kindly as our Lord draw her.

First, He came to her where she was. Second, He showed an interest in her concerns. Now He is using His actions and His words to arouse a positive response to Himself and His message of truth.

We cannot creat spiritual interest in the life of anyone. Only the Holy Spirit can do this. However, God can use us to uncover the interest that He has put there.

To arouse curiosity, we might begin by asking him or her a leading question, as our Lord did. Today's headlines can be openers for a discussion of spiritual things.

Be alert for opportunities to share your spiritual experience. A question relating to church can be directed into a coversation on spiritual matters, if handled properly. Often a gospel leaflet or a timely book can stimulate further consideration of spiritual matters and reinforce you witness.

The moment we detect a faint glimmer of interest in a non-Christian many of us wnat to rush right in and rattle off the whole gospel without coming up for air or waiting to sense audience response. By relying on the power and presences of the Holy Spirit we can gain pose. The non-Christian needs a gentle coaxing when he's/she's just beinging to show interest: give a person only as much of the message as he/she is ready for.

5. Don't condemn.

In their conversation, our Lord did not condemn the Samaritian woman. As she answered Him about her husband, her sin itself condemned her.

Most of us are quick to condemn. Criticism is far more natual to our lips and to the lips of the world than praise. When a non-Christian offeres us a cigarette, invites us to join him/her for drink, or suggestssome other activity we consider out of bounds, our reply may have devastating effects. The key is to recognize the complimdent and generosity inplict in his offer and to decline on a personal basis so the person doesn't feel condemned or rejected. One possiblitiy is to suggest an alternative activity.

6. Stick with the main issue.

In His conversation with the Samaritan woman, our Lord did not allow any secondary questions to sidetrack Him from the main issue. In declaring that He was the Messiah, our Lord reached the crucial point fo the gospel. We must eventually cross this bridge and bring the non-Christian into a direct confrontation with the Lord Jesus.

Those in the second group are already informed about the gospel but haven't actedon their information yet. Continued cramming of the same information down their throats is more apt to alienate then to win them. Pray earnestly and daily for them, and love them into the kingdom of God.

Once we begin to grasp these six principles and move out in faith, life becomes a daily adventure. Watch with anticipation for the opportunities God will give you to bear witness as an ambassador of Jesus Christ and to discover how He is working in the lives of others, through you.*

*An excerpt from the book How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little 1966 by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.