Sometimes we simply make things too complicated (note play on words). 🙂 That is especially true when we talk to people about Jesus.
I was reading this morning in Matthew 11. It starts with John’s question to Jesus. John is in a dungeon (and will soon be beheaded) and while languishing in that dungeon his despair got the best of him. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the One (the Messiah) they were expecting or should they keep on looking? While it would be easy to “get all over” John for his seeming lack of faith, Jesus does no such thing. Instead, He says, “‘Go back and tell him what you have heard and seen-the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.’ And He added, ‘God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.'” (verses 4-6) In other words, the proof is in the pudding. Jesus was indeed here and the works just described are proof.Â
I’d like to “spiritualize” for a moment because I’m not sure this is a viable use of Scripture. As I said at the beginning, sometimes we make things way too complicated when talking to others about Jesus. Instead of laying out all the historical facts about Jesus; the cruel death on the cross proven by Roman historians; the historical truth of His resurrection; and proof He is the Messiah; and other subjects, unless they ask for all the above, the best proof we have is the proof of a changed life. Mine. Yours. Someone you know. “Once I was blind but now I see. Once I was lost but now I am found.” There is something beautiful about those simple words.
Don’t be too complicated when talking about Jesus. Share the simple story of a life changed by the marvelous grace of Jesus. People may be belligerent, and ready to argue even with the facts presented, but they can’t argue with a changed life. Not when it is staring right at them. That is the Good News people need to hear!
This is exactly Dick’s and my approach to witnessing. Well said Bill.
Thanks Pam. The old saying applies here I think: “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”
Good point Bill. I am the only one on my team that is a christian, when things come up for my team members, I tell them that I will be praying for them. It really makes me happy when they come to me and say, I need you to pray for this or that, I know I can ask you to do that and that you will. I am trying to show them by what I say, what I do that my life is changed by Christ. When the prayers are answered I make sure the glory is given to God. If the prayers are not answered in the way they want, I still try to be encouraging, and explain that we do not see all that can be seen. Plant the seeds.
Well done Gail!! Lots of truth spoken here.
The more simply put, the better! And the best example of all is how we show Jesus working in our lives, day in and day out.
Blessings, Bill!
Couldn’t agree with you more Martha. Thanks.
I heard recently and it just help to reiterate what I have heard before… Faith is not a logic problem needing solved, it is a heart problem needing healing. Not that we have to accept blindly our faith, but sometimes our brains and emotions get in the way of just letting our spirit connect with God
Ooooh that’s good Ryan and I totally agree. Sometimes people are just “too smart” for their own britches.