10/12/12
Larry about 50
"If I wanted a sermon I'd go to church" a
man named Larry told me as I talked to him at the park today. I hadn't gotten
preachy with him, I just asked a few questions about his beliefs, but the mere
mention of any kind of accountability to God was enough to provoke a negative
comment. "I just wanted to stop
here at the park for a beer after work, I don't need to hear any of this God
stuff" Larry said, and told me he
doesn't believe in any kind of existence after we die, that he prefers not to
think about it. "I can respect that," I said, "but just let me
leave you with one thought - If what the
Bible says is true, that we have an eternal soul and after we die we will be
held accountable for our actions in this life, then where you spend eternity is
definitely important to think about, right?" "Are you through yet?" "Yes, just let me leave you something to
read later." "Then you'll be
done?" "No problem" I
said as I gave him a million dollar gospel tract with my contact information on
it. Negative as Larry sounded, we still
shook hands in mutual respect before I left. God gives us many gifts to use in
evangelism, including common sense and the ability to listen. We need to use them. I believe had I insisted on continuing to
talk, trusting in my own abilities rather than the Holy Spirit, Larry would
have had good reason to focus on my stubborn refusal to listen rather than what
I had actually said. Colossians 4:6 says
" Let your
conversation be always full of grace, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." People may be offended
by our reminder of their accountability
to God. We don't need to add to the
offense by our own prideful insensitivity.
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