Sharing your Christian Faith with the Culture

Are you tired of those who claim to be tolerant but tolerate everything EXCEPT Christianity? It's amazing how the saving message of Jesus Christ causes such a strong reaction among the politically correct crowd. Almost every vestige of Christianity has been stripped from the culture.

But one place they can't strip it is off your back.

That's why the wearing of Christian clothing and Christian jewelry has caught on so powerfully among believers who want to share their faith and counter the anti-God culture. Christian T-Shirts are hugely popular, with messages taken straight from the Bible emblazed across the front and back in brght and bold shirts with very creative designs.

T-shirts became a cultural phenomenon back in the Sixties. Today, they are a part of the social fabric of our world. They're used for advertising, for marketing, to make a statement, to tell the world your politics, your position on social issues or just to make people smile. So it's no wonder that Christians saw the opportunity, too.

The average T-Shirt is seen by 3,000 people during its life of wear. That's a huge audience and the number of Christian T-Shirts in use today now reaches the millions. Christian clothing and Christian apparel is found in shopping center kiosks, at Christian bookstores and through several dozen online stores that usually offer huge selections... some with literally hundreds of designs.

Talk about an effective evangelism tool! Christian T-Shirts come in all sizes and styles, from toddlers to triple extra large adult sizes. There are designs for teens, women and kids and many are creative parodies of cultural icons. There are even Christian biker T-Shirts.

This year, long-sleeved Christian shirts and Christian sweatshirts and Christian hoodies have taken off. Same with Christian caps and hats.

The other big trend is in Christian jewelry. It started in the 1980's with an explosion in Christian crosses worn around the neck. Now they've been joined by Christian bracelets, Christian headbands, Christian sliders, Christian rings, Christian watches and Christian earrings.

We live in a casual society where T-Shirts are worn almost everywhere. But some offices, schools and workplaces prohibit T-Shirts during working hours. That's where Christian jewelry comes in.

Christian jewelry can be worn everywhere. Especially popular are Christian rings, which typically come in Sterling Silver and have attractive designs like the Crown of Thorns or a cut-out cross.

So while it may seem like the culture has conspired to keep the Christian message out of everyday life, there are ways to counter that intolerance by sharing your faith in a way that speaks just as loudly as a billboard.

Although we noted that some places prohibit T-shirts, we should also point out that is changing rapidly. Just look around your school or workplace, for example.

Casual dress is the latest rage these days in the workplace. While ratty-looking clothes are never appropriate, a clean T-Shirt, worn under a jacket, is downright fashionable. Most Christian T-Shirts have distinctive and attractive designs, come in dark colors that look well in most situations.

During non-working hours, Christian T-Shirts can be worn by themselves or with a another shirt, unbuttoned, as the top layer. There are also Christian sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts and even hoodies. The bottom line here is that Christian clothing and apparel fits in almost everywhere.

Wear your witness on your back. Get the message out with a Christian T-Shirt or some Christian jewelry. They speak powerfully to a culture that needs to hear like never before.

Lots of time, you don't have to say anything. Someone will comment on your short, often in agreement or, more often, by asking, "what does that mean?"

That's your opportunity to be able to share the gospel. You can explain a Bible verse. Tell the quesytioner the context of the message as explained in scripture or just let them know how you came to Christ, what a difference He has made in your life and how anyone can find forgiveness and true purpose.

It all starts with the shirt. What a great opportunity!