I had an experience a few years ago that
exemplifies how the world sometimes views us as Christians.
The occasion was a chapel service I was asked to speak at for a ministry in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. There were about one hundred people there, mostly
evangelical Christians from different church backgrounds. Before I began my talk
I planted someone in the audience that I wanted to call on later. I told him
that at some point I was going to look at him and I wanted him to ask me a
question that I had given him. Unsure of my intent, he agreed to follow my
instruction.
That day, I introduced myself as a Christian man named Bob. I went on to
explain, "I attend a large Christian church here in town and I love the Lord.
Jesus is really neat and the Bible is a great book. Of course it's not really
relevant anymore today." Immediately some of my spectators began to look at each
other as if to say, "Did I hear what I thought I heard?"
Still in character, I continued, "It is so wonderful to have so many different
religions, isn't it? After all they help so many of us arrive at our true
potential, our real karma." That did it. Now I could see some real tensions
beginning to rise. By the way, the person I am describing is often called a
cultural Christian. There are more people who believe this way than you may
think.
I concluded with a question, "What do you do with a guy like that?" Please
notice my choice of words. I did not say, "What do you say to a guy like that?"
One by one they began to raise their hands. I vividly remember the first
response, "Bob, you call yourself a Christian?" "Yes, I do." "Well, do you
believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and in fact was God?" "Why no, where did
you get a ridiculous notion like that?"
It was like a lightning bolt went through my audience. My crowd was on the edge
of their seats and hands were flying up all over the room. The same man
continued, "It's right here in the Bible." I interrupted, "I already told you
about the Bible. It's a great book, but it's not relevant. How can you believe
that nonsense?"
Things were getting tense. The audience started to challenge me about my belief
that all religions were good and I confounded them with examples out of the
Bible that they could not speak to. Unfortunately many people who try to use the
Bible to argue their point don't know enough about it to really cement their
case. I let it get to a feverish pitch, until the faces that stared back at me
were filled with disgust. They hoped for someone, anyone to be able to corner
me-to really zing me good.
Then I turned to my plant in the audience. He raised his hand and I acknowledged
his question. "Bob, would you consider coming over to my house for dinner on
Friday night?"
Sure, I said, I would be delighted.
The room went deafeningly quiet. People were bewildered. What was that? What did
that have to do with our interaction? I then explained, "What you just witnessed
is the key to our response as Christians. I am going to go over to this man's
house on Friday night. While there, I will have an opportunity to see how he
conducts his life, how he treats his wife and kids. This experience alone will
do more for the cause of Christ in my life than any argument that has just been
spoken in this room."
Occasionally, we must take a look in the mirror and realize how we are coming
across to those who do not share our beliefs.
D'Acchioli, Vince. Wired to Work! Huntington House Publishers: Lafayette, 2001,
p. 108-110.
http://ontargetinstitute.org/
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.