This past weekend, we had a family dinner and some non-believers were there. We mentioned that our church holds men’s night and a women’s life group every Monday and that we try to attend every week. We were asked what we do at these groups, and we were eager to divulge information. This was the moment of evangelization that every Christian either craves or dreads. We explained that it starts with a short prayer by our pastor, followed by amazing homemade food, great fellowship, and the last forty-five minutes we take a dive into Scripture and apply it to our lives in a group setting. Instead of getting as excited as we were just talking about it, one of them said that they are not holy enough for that. This was our moment and we both fell flat on our faces. We should have paraphrased Romans 3:23, for we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We didn’t; however, and the conversation ended. It was a terrible endorsement for Christ, and it made us want to spend more time in the Word moving forward.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
When bringing up Christianity with non-believing friends, there seems to be three types of reactions we encounter. The most common is the person who knows about Jesus and still rejects him. They sin knowingly and love that lifestyle. The second type of person is the person who may have heard the name Jesus, but has never been gifted the opportunity to learn how to follow Him; therefore, never being able to let Him change his life. Finally, we have the person who is much like the first person mentioned. He knows about Jesus, rejects Jesus, and then mocks Jesus, Christians, and anything ‘religious’.
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:39 NIV
It may seem impossible to bring these people, whether friends, family, or strangers, to Jesus. Everyone wants to share their walk with Jesus and what he had done in their lives, and it could be draining when you can’t share it with someone you care about. Don’t be afraid, be bold, and speak truth! Paul was one of the biggest persecutors of early Christians, and later became one of the greatest Jesus Freaks to ever live! When you have time, and want to spend it in God’s Word, I highly recommend reading chapter 9 of the Book of Acts! It will ensure you never give up on your loved ones coming to Christ!
“All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?””
Acts 9:21 NIV
Messengers of Mercy 