Any
Christian who shares the heart of God to see all
people saved has special concern for friends and
family members. We all have people we care about
who either have never obeyed the gospel or, if
they have, are now not living in fellowship with
Christ and his church. Many times such people
have a hard time appreciating the concern of one
who wants more than anything to see them right
with God. While most would scream a warning or
jerk a person out of danger who was
thoughtlessly stepping into the path of an
oncoming truck, they often fail to make the
transfer from physical danger to spiritual
danger. They may meet any expression of concern
for their soul with irritation, indifference or
even anger. How do we deal with such people? Do
we keep right on telling them what they need to
do as if we will not take no for an answer? Do
we decide we’ll have nothing more to do with
them? Do we maintain a polite relationship,
being careful to avoid talking about the Bible
or Christ and his church? These approaches are
neither right nor effective. But don’t throw in
the towel. Instead we should focus our attention
and efforts on the following three keys that
will help bring people or bring people back to
Christ.
First,
we need to set the right example. In 1 Peter
3:1,2 the apostle tells the wives who have
husbands that “do not obey the word, they may be
won without a word buy the conduct of their
wives, when they see your respectful and pure
conduct.” The principle applies to more than the
husband and wife relationship. Those lost loved
ones that we want to reach need to see Christ in
our lives. Jesus is appealing all by himself. We
need to make sure that others can see him
through us as through a window. This happens
when we maintain a positive and happy
disposition. This happens when we don’t allow
troubles to turn our world upside down. Such a
life paves the road to Jesus. It gives
credibility to the gospel. It allows people to
see that this faith we want to share is not just
for the hereafter but for the here and now.
Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light
shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father who is
in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16). So be a window
through which they can see Jesus not a brick
wall that obscures him.
We
also need to offer appropriate encouragement.
Peter’s instruction above that the lost “may be
won without a word” must not be misunderstood.
He is advising against nagging and depending
only on words. But the wise Christian will be
alert for opportunities to encourage others to
consider the things of God and come to Christ.
We can do this with an invitation to come to
church or with the gift of good Christian books
and cd’s. If we’ve set the proper example there
will probably be times when these folks we love
will seek us out for some guidance or a shoulder
to cry on. Such times should be used to direct
them to God and his Word. A word of caution is
needed here. While it would be ineffective to
turn every conversation into a religious one,
don’t let that make you mute. Do not apologize
for having a concern for that person’s soul and
expressing that concern. God has given words by
which people must be saved (Acts 11:14). Sooner
or later folks have to hear them.
We
then need to sustain our endurance. If we
believe that a right relationship with God is
the most important thing in the world; if we
believe that God and Satan, heaven and hell are
real and that all these folks we love so much
will have an eternal destiny of one or the
other, then we will endure. We will bring their
names regularly before God because “the prayer
of a righteous person has great power as it is
working” (James 5:16). We will keep our
attitudes kind and Christ-like and sincerely
apologize when we fail. We will be content to
leave all judgment to the righteous mind of God.
And we will keep on ‘till Christ calls us home.
God bless you,
Brad Fry
