Some of the smartest people you ever meet are the ones who will agree with
you. Which probably tells you a lot about your peer group of friends. So I
hang around with some pretty sharp characters, like you if you are reading
this. But some don’t agree and will go to any lengths to annoy. So I have a
sign out front, “I ride, therefor I am not here.” Beat it. My other sign says
“be nice or go away.” Now I tend to be a nice guy, but get annoyed by people
trying to sell me things, sell me a discount book-I save $20 every time I say
no, or overpriced, under boxed cookies. But I really don’t like the religious
cults knocking on my door. So I tend to not answer, I don’t want to be rude or
argue, like some do thinking they are an effective witness, but I rather just
pray silently for them. And after 11 years my house still isn’t marked, but may
be because of my last conversation with a Jehovah Witness. This man was
evidently seasoned, and by himself. And caught me off guard, so I had to
confront him. Which I did, with one question, “Do you believe the deity of
Jesus Christ, is He God?” To which he answered no, and before he could argue, I
continued, “then you are going to hell by your own choice. God is not sending
you, it is your choice. And it breaks my heart to see you choose death.” He
started to go into his preplanned routine, and I cut him off again. “So we have
nothing else to talk about”-and I shut the door. A few minutes later I looked
out, and he was leaning on the hood of his car, shaking his head, it looked like
he was crying. Not over me, or his lack of time to argue with me, I hoped he
was considering what I told him. He had heard the truth, in love...for I am not
out to argue, nor win an argument, rather to see souls saved. And he was
lost...
Now some think it is right to invite them in and discuss scripture, but 2
John warns us not to. Do not engage them, they will win, as they are trained to
respond, and will wear you out. You are not to even tell them God bless you,
just be nice and courteous-don’t become what they re taught to accuse you off.
But you cancel the conversation before it starts...just as Jesus does. He never
argued scripture, but spoke with authority, the same authority we have in the
spirit. We are told to be a gentle as a lamb, but as wise as a serpent. Yet
most approach it as dumb as a lamb, and leave themselves wide open. You won’t
win an argument, so don’t get involved in one. No souls are won that way
either, it by the spirit, not us, lest we should forget.
So if I don’t answer, read the sign. And maybe you need to take a ride, to
get away where it is only you and God, so you can listen. Why ask in prayer if
you choose not to listen to His answer? Or if you are a JW or Mormon, take the
advice of God-Jesus is knocking, let Him in. Not the made up god of the
Mormons, not some hocus pocus theology of other cults, but the truth. Truth is
you should be out riding rather than annoying others. Courtesy, kindness,and
goodness, fruit of the spirit will show more of Jesus than phony doctrine or
arguing. Most of the Bible is warnings about false teaching, false teachers,
and bad doctrines. If what is being said varies from scripture, it is a
lie-avoid it. Stick to what you know, better yet to who you know-Jesus, who
will never steer you wrong. Maybe my next sign may be “I am risen, therefor I
am not here.” For someday I will be, then who will they annoy? What excuses
will they invent then?
Put some distance between you and wrong teaching by staying in the word,
and being in the spirit. Nothing new here to Jesus, just the same old lie being
resurrected to a new generation. If you must spend time discussing the
scriptures, try Jesus. Talk to the author instead of one of His fallen angels.
Get the truth, it will set you free. And give you more time to go riding. For
whoever is free in Christ is free indeed. Win an argument today by not being in
one, go love someone. And if they knock, don’t answer. You could be riding.
With Jesus. Smartest guy I ever met, now about your friends...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com