I worked with a guy once, who when he found out I was a Christian, boldly informed me "I'm an atheist!" Accepting the challenge, I just looked at him, and said, "you know by definition, you don't exist." "HUH?" "Yes, everyone worships something, and you just happen to worship yourself." I was hoping to make this a short conversation, as he had an audience of several co-workers with him that day, and I was new and outnumbered, or at least it would appear so. Not knowing what to say back, he ate more of his sandwich, then proceeded to tell me what he didn't believe. "There is no God, the Bible is made up, we all come from some slimy substance via evolution, Jesus may have been a great teacher, but that is all, and all this faith stuff is so much !@#^&^&%$!!"
Once again, I gave him an unexpected answer, hoping to just end the conversation. "You are an incredible man of faith. By your first statement I never would have guessed it. When you can, find time so I can ask you questions, you seem to have a grip on how life works. It takes a great deal of faith to believe how you do with no evidence or facts. Yes, I never would have guessed you to be a man of faith." And after the surprised look fell from his face, several seconds later, I continued. "Yes, you have more faith than many. Even more than some Christians I know. It takes faith to believe the improvable, and you cannot prove God exists. Wiggle your hand, God made that. Smell a flower, he did that too. Why does the sun rise and set the same every day? God, again. Yes-it takes incredible faith to not believe when there is all this evidence of Him, and so much more!"
Now his friends were listening. "And the Bible. Did you know the more men try to debunk it, they only prove it more. Do you think that a God who created the universe would be stupid enough to leave His story to a group of men? All scripture is inspired by God. Shipbuilders build ships based on the ark's dimensions, they are the most sea worthy. Thousands of years before telescopes, it was written about the stars and how they work. Do you know of any prophecies ever given that aren't 100% accurate about Jesus? And that over 500 people saw Him after He was crucified? He truly rose again, like He said He would. Do you know anyone else who would die for a society that hated Him? Would you die for your wife and kids? Jesus did!"
At this point, the audience was urging me on. But this was not a battle to be won by me, but by the Holy Spirit using me in this situation. "And where is your missing link, do you think that maybe people act like animals today because maybe they believe they came from ooze? Or maybe when people come to Christ we try to act like Jesus because we then know our true origin? We try to please God, rather than arguing against Him. And do you know of any religion, other than being a Christian, where God reaches down to people, instead of making them come to Him? Did you know we love Him, because He loved us first?"
And at that point, lunch was over, but my debater friend told me, "you know Mike, I have hundreds of questions for you." And even more interesting, I found that some in the room were Christians, that he had bullied. Only when God changed my heart not to win an argument, but to win a soul, did the conversation and the tone change.
Engage a Mormon or JW lately? Leave frustrated? Read 2John, don't debate them, for just by engaging them, you have lost. Show love, you have it, they don't. God knows that, and even tells don't even say "God bless you," to such a so-called brother. Your job, like Jonah's, is simply to take the message. It is up to the Holy Spirit to change a heart, just like He did yours. Spiritual battles are fought on spiritual planes, and only God can do that. So let Him.
I was unprepared that time at lunch, God gave me the words. Take my advice, and try the following. Mike's rule #1. Never argue with an idiot, because you will never win. Show love instead. And-preach the word daily, and when needed use words. The world is always watching, but not always listening.
Are you? By your fruit, you will be known. And sometimes it just starts by throwing a seed, or watering one someone else planted. But God provides the growth.
Only in Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
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