Hi to all my Forum Friends,
In the discussion "What Does it Mean - To Fear God?" which I began, an interesting dialogue has taken place among several of our Forum Friends. First, Buffalo ungraciously said of Jennifer, "She probably wears a T-shirt that says, 'Ask me about my atheistic views.'"
And, Jennifer responded honestly, "And as usual you'd be wrong. Posting on here (the Religion Forum) is the most I've talked about it in a long time. My atheistic view is simple - I don't believe in god. There is no reason for me to advertise my beliefs. I'm not out to change anyone's mind. If someone asks, I tell them."
Then, our Forum Friend, Al Williams, who has returned to the Religion Forum in another attempt to peddle his New Age Urantia Book religion, entered the discussion with, "Good Morning Jennifer: If you do not want to believe in God, that is simply and completely your prerogative. The idea that someone should try to force a ready-made belief system upon you is as sickening as the idea that someone should try to force believing in God out of someone else. Both tactics are equally wrong, and futile, for that matter."
Al, for once I do agree completely with you. No one should try to force their religious beliefs upon other people. However, Christian believers are told by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to be His witnesses to all people. Since He is our Commander-in-Chief, we must do as He instructs us.
What does this mean, to be His witnesses to all people? Well, it depends upon the time, the place, and the people. At times we Christians should be very open in telling people about Jesus Christ and His "free gift" of eternal life for all who will, by grace, through faith, believe and receive this "free gift."
At other times, it will mean refuting false teachings such as world religions, cult religions, New Age religions, and, yes, even atheism -- if these teachings are shared in a public forum where many who are not yet mature in their Christian lives read -- and where some who may have just begun to seek knowledge of God, eternal life, Jesus Christ, etc., can be exposed to erroneous teachings.
Yet, at other times, it means just letting our love for God, Jesus Christ, and others show through our own personal lives. This is best described by the saying, "Your life may be the only Bible some will ever see. Make sure it reads well." An example of this type of witnessing could be missionaries living in a community of people who are devoutly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhists, etc. -- where open witnessing of our Christian faith would cause the missionaries to be expelled. So, they share their Christian lives, their Christian love, with these people and allow the love of Jesus Christ to shine through them into the hearts of these people who are mired in world religions.
Let me give you a good example of a Christian being an effective witness in a challenging situation. In 1998, I had a sore on my foot and went to the Riverside Regional Medical Center for treatment. Standing in line to register at the front desk, I noticed a young man, in his twenties, standing behind me. He was a perfect stereotype of a White Supremacist -- tattoos all over, muscle shirt, shaved head; he had it all. Just looking at him one could see White Supremacist written all over him.
After registering, we went to sit in the waiting room. I took out my Bible and began to study. I noticed that he, too, took out a book to read -- and it was a Bible also. As he raised the Bible to read, the tattoos on his fingers were evident. On each of his four fingers, he had tattooed the letters: H - A - T - E. This intrigued me; yet, because we were in a busy waiting room I did not ask him about this contradiction.
When I had seen the doctor, I went into another waiting room to await my prescription. He was there also. When the lady sitting with us left and it was just the two of us, I asked him, "The book you are reading says L - O -V - E; yet, your hand says H - A - T - E. What's the story?"
He shared with me that he and his whole family had indeed been devout White Supremacist. His life revolved around this hate faith. He told me that the only music he listened to was black music. This was not referring to ethnic music -- but, to the dark Satanic music. This was his whole lifestyle -- until one day, walking in Riverside, a Christian walked up to him and began to witness to him.
For whatever reason, he did not attack or drive away the Christian; but, instead listened -- and, that day, on the street in Riverside, California, this White Supremacist turned and became a Christ Follower. And, he became an on-fire Christ Follower. Sitting in that waiting room at Riverside Regional Medical Center, he and I both pulled out our Bibles and Christian tracks we both had written -- and began to share with one another.
I became so engrossed that I forgot the time -- and several hours later, I heard my name being paged. I had forgotten to call my daughter, Lana, to come pick me up. So, she called the Medical Center and had me paged.
Ask yourself: Why was this White Supremacist ready, that day, to hear the Word of God? Most likely, he had, at some time and at some place, heard seeds of the Gospel which were being sown, and, at the time ignored them. Yet, these seeds lay in shallow soil within him, protected by the Holy Spirit -- until that day when a brave Christian walked up and witnessed to this White Supremacist, i.e., putting more spiritual soil over those already planted seeds. And, that day, on the street of Riverside, California -- another soul was harvested for the Lord and will spend eternity in heaven, in the presence of God.
Yet, again, ask yourself: Would you, as a Christian believer, have had the nerve to walk up to an obvious White Supremacist, or anyone who is obviously antagonistic to belief in God -- and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with this person? I am not sure I would have been that brave.
If you are a non-believer -- would you be insulted and possibly even be antagonistic if a Christian approached you to share the Gospel? Don't be. He/she is only following instructions from our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ.
Yes, Al, I agree with you that we Christians should not attempt to force-feed our Christian faith to anyone. However, we should always be prepared, have a large bag of seeds -- "seeds of salvation" -- ready to be sown at every possible opportunity. For we never know when God will bring a soul such as this White Supremacist, or another non-believer, into our lives.
And, if the Holy Spirit has prepared the soil -- we must be ready to sow the seeds. To all my Christian Friends -- are YOU ready? Have you prepared your bag of seeds?
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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