You could use CPR, should anyone need it. Perhaps you could work as a doctor. Even better, you could donate blood or organs. A life guard, according to the name, guards peoples' lives by saving them. Perhaps you could have an important, personal conversation with someone, convincing them not to take their own. I'm sure that there are more ways to save a life, also.
But that's not the kind of life that I talk about, is it? Is it a different definition of life, perhaps? I'd say no. It's actually something that is impossible for the human mind to figure out. Similarly, it's something that is of an immeasurable value. Something that cannot be compared with how many physical lives you save. It is so valuable that the entire world should be traded for it, should anyone actually own the entire world. Oddly enough, it cannot be bought or traded for anything, which only adds to the mystery of a humans' inadequacy to ponder such a thing.
I'm sure that, by this point, you all know that what I'm referring to is eternal life. As I've already said, we can't actually comprehend such a thing, simply because we are finite beings. So, if we can't even understand it, how can we make any sort of difference in it, or save it as the title suggests? I've said it before, that we simply can't. Only God can. But he can use us as the tool, as the vessel to actually make a difference.
So how do you save a life? Well, you can't just do nothing and expect something to happen. So go out and do something. It's as simple as that. It might actually be the hardest thing that you'll ever do, that is, sharing the gospel with someone, but by far it is the most rewarding; both in this life and eternity.
The micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
9.01.2011
8.19.2011
Clique Dissolvent
It's not a chemical, a special phrase, or a powerful personality that is this clique dissolvent. I'd like to say, right from the start, that the only thing that can get rid of an un-unified group is God himself. Because the attitude that puts others out of a group of people just to retain your own status in that group is so natural and easy for man, there either has to be a really good reason not to, or God himself has to move in the overall group to bring them all together. Before I continue, I'd like to explain two things. First of all, why cliques are anti-Christian, especially within a group that is labeled Christian overall. Secondly, my history and experiences that backs up the statements I made in this paragraph.
So, why do people come to a youth group willingly? If they actually do have a relationship with God, it's to fellowship with others who share in that relationship. If you don't, it's either because you're lacking something that you've been unable to obtain, and thus are searching for it, or it's to chill with a pier group and have a good time. What if a shy Christian walks in one day, looking for some others to encourage them in their faith, but all she gets is a few weary glances as multiple groups of people sit around talking before the Bible study starts? Well, let's just say that they probably won't come back. The same thing goes for someone who is searching for Christ. If they find groups that seem unwelcoming, then they will view them as no different than the people they were around before. With both of these examples, the person will most likely get the feeling of being unwelcome and won't come back. That's the opposite of what a 'Christian' group should be doing. But they're doing it out of the necessity of retaining their status in the group, and in their own smaller clique. Thus, the only way that the group will grow at all is if some cool person comes in and is good enough to fit into one of the cliques.
Concerning my own youth group, a few years back we were pretty small, but cliques existed nevertheless. There were true Christians in the group, yet in general, there were small groups of friends that didn't talk to anyone else. They didn't bother me at that point as I wasn't as concerned with being a leader in my youth group as I am now. However, the leaders did care. Every chance they got, they spoke out against these small groups of friends saying things like, 'We are the body of Christ, what happens if the hand can't even feel its own fingers?' They said some other things, did object lessons, and organised group activities. Yet it seemed that nobody was truly listening or understanding that they were the people who was being targeted. Some things happened, but nothing too drastic.
However, that didn't last very long. The leaders started taking the problem at the core, knowingly or not. They spoke about salvation, mostly which targeted each and every person in a more personal since. The way that I recollect it, those who were saved got a continual renewing of their lust for fellowship with God, and those who weren't saved either got convicted, or pretended to hear nothing at all. Some within the convicted group searched themselves for Christ, and came up empty. With this realization, they went to the Bible, and were saved. Others who were convicted simply ran away. Quite literally, I can think of people who were coming every week, and just left without telling anyone anything.
While these people left, others found Christian fellowship within the larger group and the entire group started to come together. People started greeting the newcomers, and talking to their piers within the group about this profound salvation that they had received, chasing more people out and causing those who chose not to listen to have to ignore even more. All of this took a few years to get to, but the group somewhat looked like a group, and has only gotten more unified since.
I suppose that this is a good point to mention a book that I, along with the rest of my youth group, have been reading. It's called Do Hard Things. The book is about how we can do these hard things to make a difference around us. Without writing a summary of the book, I would like to say that changing a Christian group is a very hard thing to do. It may seem too big for you to do yourself, but I'm convinced that each and every person can be influential in developing a true Christian group, no matter how un-Christian the group may seem at first.
In my case, I was not the influential one in my group, but the leaders were. I was oddly able to talk in any clique, but I'll save why and how for another time. I am convinced that without God working in each individual's life, that we'd still be an un-unified group. But how will there ever be change from God if the teaching isn't convicting the people to learn about Him? I don't see how there could be any change. This is where you come in. If you don't think that you're a leader, then change your mind now. Because that is what it will take to make a difference anywhere, not just in a Christian group.
The first thing that I would recommend doing is simply talking to the adult leaders in your group. See what they think about it. I'd say that the odds of them not caring about the cliques is slim to none. You will probably learn a lot about the leader in the process, and also position yourself as some sort of a leader in the group as the leader will probably respect you more than he did before. The outcome of the discussion with the adult leader isn't really important. But it is important that you get the goals of this leader, and present your own.
The next thing that I would suggest doing is picking out the others in the group who might have the same concerns as you. They will most likely be the ones who feel insignificant within the group, as if they can't change anything. As I mentioned earlier, it may seem like you can't do it by yourself. But the lovely thing is that you probably won't have to. If you can find these people. you will have mutual encouragement and you will be able to collaborate, bringing new plans and ideas to the table.
Finally, have no fear. If you are truly trying to make a difference for God in your group, then He will be with you. As I said before, it is only God who can change things like this. This is something that is socially harder than going out to evangelize for the first time. It's witnessing to others that they can be different as well. It's showing people that they can make a difference, just like you're trying to. It shows them that you have something that they don't. But they will only see that if you're bold with your words. People will notice the passion you have for others if it is there. When you do the socially unacceptable and unexpected thing like talking to a group of people about God when they're all there just to hang out, weird things start happening. You may get shunned by most, but even those who appear to be pushing you away may be growing respect for you. If they are truly Christian, then they will see that the group should be whole, and see that that is your goal. Be warned that they may see you as a leader in the group, though. Be ready to answer for yourself, and prove what you're saying. If God is with you, then you can do it.
I know that this is a long post, but it is one of the more important things that I've written about. The effect that we can have on the community if they see a change happening within the church is huge. But if they see just a bunch of youth having a good time, it puts a bad picture on the entire church. Stand up for Christ. Stand in the gap and take the punishment for it. Each time I see my youth group, I have joy that we are a part of the body of Christ because we are unified. I believe that that is how it should be, and that anyone can take a stand and make it so.
The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
So, why do people come to a youth group willingly? If they actually do have a relationship with God, it's to fellowship with others who share in that relationship. If you don't, it's either because you're lacking something that you've been unable to obtain, and thus are searching for it, or it's to chill with a pier group and have a good time. What if a shy Christian walks in one day, looking for some others to encourage them in their faith, but all she gets is a few weary glances as multiple groups of people sit around talking before the Bible study starts? Well, let's just say that they probably won't come back. The same thing goes for someone who is searching for Christ. If they find groups that seem unwelcoming, then they will view them as no different than the people they were around before. With both of these examples, the person will most likely get the feeling of being unwelcome and won't come back. That's the opposite of what a 'Christian' group should be doing. But they're doing it out of the necessity of retaining their status in the group, and in their own smaller clique. Thus, the only way that the group will grow at all is if some cool person comes in and is good enough to fit into one of the cliques.
Concerning my own youth group, a few years back we were pretty small, but cliques existed nevertheless. There were true Christians in the group, yet in general, there were small groups of friends that didn't talk to anyone else. They didn't bother me at that point as I wasn't as concerned with being a leader in my youth group as I am now. However, the leaders did care. Every chance they got, they spoke out against these small groups of friends saying things like, 'We are the body of Christ, what happens if the hand can't even feel its own fingers?' They said some other things, did object lessons, and organised group activities. Yet it seemed that nobody was truly listening or understanding that they were the people who was being targeted. Some things happened, but nothing too drastic.
However, that didn't last very long. The leaders started taking the problem at the core, knowingly or not. They spoke about salvation, mostly which targeted each and every person in a more personal since. The way that I recollect it, those who were saved got a continual renewing of their lust for fellowship with God, and those who weren't saved either got convicted, or pretended to hear nothing at all. Some within the convicted group searched themselves for Christ, and came up empty. With this realization, they went to the Bible, and were saved. Others who were convicted simply ran away. Quite literally, I can think of people who were coming every week, and just left without telling anyone anything.
While these people left, others found Christian fellowship within the larger group and the entire group started to come together. People started greeting the newcomers, and talking to their piers within the group about this profound salvation that they had received, chasing more people out and causing those who chose not to listen to have to ignore even more. All of this took a few years to get to, but the group somewhat looked like a group, and has only gotten more unified since.
I suppose that this is a good point to mention a book that I, along with the rest of my youth group, have been reading. It's called Do Hard Things. The book is about how we can do these hard things to make a difference around us. Without writing a summary of the book, I would like to say that changing a Christian group is a very hard thing to do. It may seem too big for you to do yourself, but I'm convinced that each and every person can be influential in developing a true Christian group, no matter how un-Christian the group may seem at first.
In my case, I was not the influential one in my group, but the leaders were. I was oddly able to talk in any clique, but I'll save why and how for another time. I am convinced that without God working in each individual's life, that we'd still be an un-unified group. But how will there ever be change from God if the teaching isn't convicting the people to learn about Him? I don't see how there could be any change. This is where you come in. If you don't think that you're a leader, then change your mind now. Because that is what it will take to make a difference anywhere, not just in a Christian group.
The first thing that I would recommend doing is simply talking to the adult leaders in your group. See what they think about it. I'd say that the odds of them not caring about the cliques is slim to none. You will probably learn a lot about the leader in the process, and also position yourself as some sort of a leader in the group as the leader will probably respect you more than he did before. The outcome of the discussion with the adult leader isn't really important. But it is important that you get the goals of this leader, and present your own.
The next thing that I would suggest doing is picking out the others in the group who might have the same concerns as you. They will most likely be the ones who feel insignificant within the group, as if they can't change anything. As I mentioned earlier, it may seem like you can't do it by yourself. But the lovely thing is that you probably won't have to. If you can find these people. you will have mutual encouragement and you will be able to collaborate, bringing new plans and ideas to the table.
Finally, have no fear. If you are truly trying to make a difference for God in your group, then He will be with you. As I said before, it is only God who can change things like this. This is something that is socially harder than going out to evangelize for the first time. It's witnessing to others that they can be different as well. It's showing people that they can make a difference, just like you're trying to. It shows them that you have something that they don't. But they will only see that if you're bold with your words. People will notice the passion you have for others if it is there. When you do the socially unacceptable and unexpected thing like talking to a group of people about God when they're all there just to hang out, weird things start happening. You may get shunned by most, but even those who appear to be pushing you away may be growing respect for you. If they are truly Christian, then they will see that the group should be whole, and see that that is your goal. Be warned that they may see you as a leader in the group, though. Be ready to answer for yourself, and prove what you're saying. If God is with you, then you can do it.
I know that this is a long post, but it is one of the more important things that I've written about. The effect that we can have on the community if they see a change happening within the church is huge. But if they see just a bunch of youth having a good time, it puts a bad picture on the entire church. Stand up for Christ. Stand in the gap and take the punishment for it. Each time I see my youth group, I have joy that we are a part of the body of Christ because we are unified. I believe that that is how it should be, and that anyone can take a stand and make it so.
The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
8.13.2011
My Simple Opinion
Hello! This will be my first post! While I am not on Runescape very often and have not had as much experience in the online "field", I am a follower of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and I believe that even though I am not sure of my own ideas He can use me to further His Kingdom.
So, why am I writing at all? Why do I try to evangelize on Runescape? Because Jesus commanded his disciples to tell the whole world about him. To always be a light and work for the glory of the Father. And I believe that one cannot be a follower of Christ and not try to further His Kingdom. We therefor take advantage of the Internet as a social place that can be used to spread the Gospel.
The question I would like to address is one that I have wrestled with myself. Why should we try to evangelize on Runescape? I mean, it is so impersonal and indirect, how could anyone actually get saved? (First off, if you don't think God could save people over the Internet we have a problem, but let's forget about that for now) And, where is the Biblical example for this kind of evangelism? Isn't Jesus supposed to be our example for everything? When did he get on a computer and preach the Word?
These are good questions. Thankfully, God provides good answers. I love it when He does that! Let's go straight to the last question, "When did Jesus get on a computer and preach the Gospel?" Well, He did not. But change the question to this, when did Jesus have a group of people that He would probably never talk to again or never have a chance for a personal relationship with all of them? If you and me read the same book, this happened a LOT.
I see three main types of evangelism in Jesus's ministry.(there are more these just occur repeatedly) One, people that he spent a large amount of time with. Think of the Twelve, the seventy-two, people like that. For these people Jesus evangelized by His actions. They could see the Gospel in Him. Next, the people who would follow Him for a time, like through a city or area. With these people He told stories or parables that would get them interested or question things that they know or just confuse them. He said all this to get them to listen and think, to make them pursue Him. Last, one time large scale meetings. The Sermon on the Mount is what I am talking about here. This is when he gave them advise on how to live.
Now that that is done, where does Runescape Evangelism fit in. I think it fits into the second classification. This realization helped me to accept Online Evangelism. You see, we cannot and will not save people on Runescape, but a Parable never saved someone either. What we can do is plant seeds and spark interest. Jesus did this many, many times.
One more thing I would like to say is that mauve we should nought through the Gospel at everyone immediately. We should follow Jesus's example and show interest in them first. If the people then show interest in us, therefor showing interest in the One who sent us, we can proceed with the Gospel.
I know that what I have said is not airtight and arguable. But I do not doubt that there is usable truth in it also.
Your Brother in Christ,
Stephen
So, why am I writing at all? Why do I try to evangelize on Runescape? Because Jesus commanded his disciples to tell the whole world about him. To always be a light and work for the glory of the Father. And I believe that one cannot be a follower of Christ and not try to further His Kingdom. We therefor take advantage of the Internet as a social place that can be used to spread the Gospel.
The question I would like to address is one that I have wrestled with myself. Why should we try to evangelize on Runescape? I mean, it is so impersonal and indirect, how could anyone actually get saved? (First off, if you don't think God could save people over the Internet we have a problem, but let's forget about that for now) And, where is the Biblical example for this kind of evangelism? Isn't Jesus supposed to be our example for everything? When did he get on a computer and preach the Word?
These are good questions. Thankfully, God provides good answers. I love it when He does that! Let's go straight to the last question, "When did Jesus get on a computer and preach the Gospel?" Well, He did not. But change the question to this, when did Jesus have a group of people that He would probably never talk to again or never have a chance for a personal relationship with all of them? If you and me read the same book, this happened a LOT.
I see three main types of evangelism in Jesus's ministry.(there are more these just occur repeatedly) One, people that he spent a large amount of time with. Think of the Twelve, the seventy-two, people like that. For these people Jesus evangelized by His actions. They could see the Gospel in Him. Next, the people who would follow Him for a time, like through a city or area. With these people He told stories or parables that would get them interested or question things that they know or just confuse them. He said all this to get them to listen and think, to make them pursue Him. Last, one time large scale meetings. The Sermon on the Mount is what I am talking about here. This is when he gave them advise on how to live.
Now that that is done, where does Runescape Evangelism fit in. I think it fits into the second classification. This realization helped me to accept Online Evangelism. You see, we cannot and will not save people on Runescape, but a Parable never saved someone either. What we can do is plant seeds and spark interest. Jesus did this many, many times.
One more thing I would like to say is that mauve we should nought through the Gospel at everyone immediately. We should follow Jesus's example and show interest in them first. If the people then show interest in us, therefor showing interest in the One who sent us, we can proceed with the Gospel.
I know that what I have said is not airtight and arguable. But I do not doubt that there is usable truth in it also.
Your Brother in Christ,
Stephen
8.10.2011
Crossroads I: Debate vs. Argument
There's a fine line between debate and argument. While most believe the two to be the same, or at least, very similar, both have completely different aims, characteristics, and outcomes.
~~~
Arguments often involve a number of people all sharing opinions, slogans, and judgments, each more ready to hear their own voice understood, rather than to understand others. Rather than attempting to learn, one only seeks to voice their views, neither wanting to hear, let alone think about their opponent's views. Often, such a discourse results with a heated discussion and each person leaves with a less than cordial view of the others.
~~~
A debate can loosely be defined as a formal discussion of a chosen topic. Unlike an argument, a debate has a specific aim: to educate the persons involved. Such an "education" involves listening to the other person and seeking to understand them, while at the same time clearing up questions they may have.
~~~
A good rule of thumb for determining the volatility of the situation:
If someone gets mad, everyone loses.
Why do I say that?
As stated above, debates seek to educate. If a person becomes angry or defensive, they close themselves to new ideas, rendering the debate without purpose.
As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:16, we should be "wise as serpents." Being wise DOES involve being able to defend your faith when the time comes to it.
-Paul
~~~
Arguments often involve a number of people all sharing opinions, slogans, and judgments, each more ready to hear their own voice understood, rather than to understand others. Rather than attempting to learn, one only seeks to voice their views, neither wanting to hear, let alone think about their opponent's views. Often, such a discourse results with a heated discussion and each person leaves with a less than cordial view of the others.
~~~
A debate can loosely be defined as a formal discussion of a chosen topic. Unlike an argument, a debate has a specific aim: to educate the persons involved. Such an "education" involves listening to the other person and seeking to understand them, while at the same time clearing up questions they may have.
~~~
A good rule of thumb for determining the volatility of the situation:
If someone gets mad, everyone loses.
Why do I say that?
As stated above, debates seek to educate. If a person becomes angry or defensive, they close themselves to new ideas, rendering the debate without purpose.
As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:16, we should be "wise as serpents." Being wise DOES involve being able to defend your faith when the time comes to it.
-Paul
8.08.2011
Does It Matter?
Before I get started, I'll answer the question. No, it really doesn't. In fact, it's just about irrelevant, not even worth mentioning, and it should be odd to even consider it. What am I talking about? The economy. To be more ambiguous the world in general.
'WHAT? But, if I don't get to go to collage because the economy crashes and my collage funds aren't worth anything anymore, I won't be able to get a good job, even if there are any left after a recession! If I don't get a job, I can't make money to support a family and all my dreams will be ruined! Oh no!'
Oh yes! That's the most ridiculous thing that I've ever heard, no joke. But for those of you who don't care to think about your future, politics or the state of the world in general, it probably looks more like this:
'But, if I don't get level 99 range by Thursday, I won't be able to kill that boss with my friends that night! I've got to go hardcore and get it...'
Heck, it could be anything. But why is all of it irrelevant completely? Simply because it's of the world. If we see the stock market drop continually for a week and are worried about it, then there's a problem. That problem is that we aren't relying on God. Sure, we might be going into harder and harder situations, but if we care enough about this world to spend time building up the things of the world, then it's likely that we're of the world. Whether it's spending hours on end growing pixels, or sitting around watching the every move of the economy, scared of what effect that it will have on you, it's all the same, it's all the world, and it's all sin.
I can't tell you how mad I get at my own self sometimes when I realize that I'm putting my time into entertainment, normal gain, or intellectual growth when I could actually be following Christ and doing something useful with my time. Quite literally, we should be spending 0% of our time trying for profit in this world. It simply doesn't matter.
The same way that I struggle with more known sins, I should be struggling with this sin. All Christians should be. Yet, more times than not, our selfish selfs win over our mind, convincing us that we need to be doing anything other than spending time in the Bible, in prayer, or doing work that is pleasing to God.
Answer me this, does this world count for anything at all in the light of an eternity? AT ALL? (Yes, I'm yelling.) The only thing that we can get from this world is reward in heaven. And that's all we should be trying to get.
End of line.
~The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
'WHAT? But, if I don't get to go to collage because the economy crashes and my collage funds aren't worth anything anymore, I won't be able to get a good job, even if there are any left after a recession! If I don't get a job, I can't make money to support a family and all my dreams will be ruined! Oh no!'
Oh yes! That's the most ridiculous thing that I've ever heard, no joke. But for those of you who don't care to think about your future, politics or the state of the world in general, it probably looks more like this:
'But, if I don't get level 99 range by Thursday, I won't be able to kill that boss with my friends that night! I've got to go hardcore and get it...'
Heck, it could be anything. But why is all of it irrelevant completely? Simply because it's of the world. If we see the stock market drop continually for a week and are worried about it, then there's a problem. That problem is that we aren't relying on God. Sure, we might be going into harder and harder situations, but if we care enough about this world to spend time building up the things of the world, then it's likely that we're of the world. Whether it's spending hours on end growing pixels, or sitting around watching the every move of the economy, scared of what effect that it will have on you, it's all the same, it's all the world, and it's all sin.
I can't tell you how mad I get at my own self sometimes when I realize that I'm putting my time into entertainment, normal gain, or intellectual growth when I could actually be following Christ and doing something useful with my time. Quite literally, we should be spending 0% of our time trying for profit in this world. It simply doesn't matter.
The same way that I struggle with more known sins, I should be struggling with this sin. All Christians should be. Yet, more times than not, our selfish selfs win over our mind, convincing us that we need to be doing anything other than spending time in the Bible, in prayer, or doing work that is pleasing to God.
Answer me this, does this world count for anything at all in the light of an eternity? AT ALL? (Yes, I'm yelling.) The only thing that we can get from this world is reward in heaven. And that's all we should be trying to get.
End of line.
~The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
8.02.2011
What About Them?
There's a couple of people who show up at your youth group or school week after week. They like to walk in quietly, listen to the teacher, and leave. Maybe they're each other's friends and quietly talk to each other before the class starts. But never in the world could you see them greeting anyone else or bringing extra conversation or questions upon themselves. Is their problem that they are shy, antisocial, or simply don't care about others? That could be, but that's not the issue in this case.
What do you do with this type of people? More than likely, you can't even think of any because you don't notice them, or rather, the way that they act. If that is the case, think a little harder and you'll come up with someone. I see these people pretty much everywhere. For the longest time, I just let them do their own thing and ignored them like anyone else would. Perhaps my excuse was that I didn't want to scare them off or that they wouldn't like someone like me. In reality, if I would have even so much as tried to get to know them, they would be more than grateful for a friend.
Now, what I'm talking about here is evangelism at its very core. It could be called discipleship or witnessing, but it's really just constantly showing someone who Christ is. When you really look at the problem, it's quite simply that they don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Maybe they go home and know that they hate God, but want that to change. Maybe they're simply drawn in so far by worldly things that they don't know how to get out. Perhaps they want to try, but are unwilling to give up what the world deems too valuable to lose. Or maybe that's you.
Don't ignore the clear crying of those who struggle with God. If he has called them, then he will reveal them to you so that you can be instrumental in their lives and be a part of their testimony. I challenge each of you to be that person in your schools and youth groups that people can rely on and trust to give the Godly answer. Be the person who cares enough about others to actually talk them. How hard is it? Very, but it's worth every moment both for you, and for them.
-The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
What do you do with this type of people? More than likely, you can't even think of any because you don't notice them, or rather, the way that they act. If that is the case, think a little harder and you'll come up with someone. I see these people pretty much everywhere. For the longest time, I just let them do their own thing and ignored them like anyone else would. Perhaps my excuse was that I didn't want to scare them off or that they wouldn't like someone like me. In reality, if I would have even so much as tried to get to know them, they would be more than grateful for a friend.
Now, what I'm talking about here is evangelism at its very core. It could be called discipleship or witnessing, but it's really just constantly showing someone who Christ is. When you really look at the problem, it's quite simply that they don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Maybe they go home and know that they hate God, but want that to change. Maybe they're simply drawn in so far by worldly things that they don't know how to get out. Perhaps they want to try, but are unwilling to give up what the world deems too valuable to lose. Or maybe that's you.
Don't ignore the clear crying of those who struggle with God. If he has called them, then he will reveal them to you so that you can be instrumental in their lives and be a part of their testimony. I challenge each of you to be that person in your schools and youth groups that people can rely on and trust to give the Godly answer. Be the person who cares enough about others to actually talk them. How hard is it? Very, but it's worth every moment both for you, and for them.
-The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
7.22.2011
The Problem Is...
Some days I find myself struggling to clearly and concisely define our beliefs to others who want to know. I find this troubling simply because it should be so simple, and I make it more than that. Obviously, it shouldn't take a whole blog post to accurately share our faith. So why is it that I so often can't seem to get the right words out?
It's because of fear. Fear of imperfection, in fact. When I go evangelize, so often I try to evangelize. No, that wasn't a typo. Because when I try, I try to use my own words and my own knowledge. If an atheist is confronting me on an issue that he has with God, my natural reaction is to talk over him, practically yelling the truth at him, instead of showing him the way and letting God do the work. I know that I've said it before, but you can't share the good news without God speaking through you just as much as a spade can't dig without someone pushing it into the ground. Not perfectly, anyways. Surely perfection is the goal, as anything else could potentially have lies in it.
Just to clarify, I do understand and have witnessed God use any number of things to spread his word. Surely He can use anything and everything to grow His kingdom, including evangelists who don't have the right mindset. Is it any harder to dig if the spade doesn't want to or is trying to go a different way? Nope. Because, just like us, that spade can't do anything on its own.
Surely we should try to honor God through evangelism by saying, 'Not my words, but yours be said.' just as much as we should say, 'Not my will but yours be done.'. That is my prayer for not only myself, but for every other evangelist and, for that sake, every other follower of Christ.
Through the next few months, I'd like to continue making posts more aimed towards the Christian lifestyle, instead of only about evangelism. They may be convicting, challenging, and, who knows, I might even get mean, but the truth cannot be suppressed, and I sure hope that you won't catch me trying.
It's because of fear. Fear of imperfection, in fact. When I go evangelize, so often I try to evangelize. No, that wasn't a typo. Because when I try, I try to use my own words and my own knowledge. If an atheist is confronting me on an issue that he has with God, my natural reaction is to talk over him, practically yelling the truth at him, instead of showing him the way and letting God do the work. I know that I've said it before, but you can't share the good news without God speaking through you just as much as a spade can't dig without someone pushing it into the ground. Not perfectly, anyways. Surely perfection is the goal, as anything else could potentially have lies in it.
Just to clarify, I do understand and have witnessed God use any number of things to spread his word. Surely He can use anything and everything to grow His kingdom, including evangelists who don't have the right mindset. Is it any harder to dig if the spade doesn't want to or is trying to go a different way? Nope. Because, just like us, that spade can't do anything on its own.
Surely we should try to honor God through evangelism by saying, 'Not my words, but yours be said.' just as much as we should say, 'Not my will but yours be done.'. That is my prayer for not only myself, but for every other evangelist and, for that sake, every other follower of Christ.
Through the next few months, I'd like to continue making posts more aimed towards the Christian lifestyle, instead of only about evangelism. They may be convicting, challenging, and, who knows, I might even get mean, but the truth cannot be suppressed, and I sure hope that you won't catch me trying.
-The Micromanaged Freewill
~Jacob
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