Once upon a time, on a public school playground, there was a little boy who considered himself a man of God in a little boy body. He’d watched the preacher at church, and watched his dad witness to people, and had concluded that it was a simple job. Ask people if they know Jesus. If they say yes, say “glory!” If they so no, say, “then you’re goin’ to Hell.” And so went the conversation between he and his friends, who didn’t appreciate his brief synopsis of the plan of salvation.
That was an ever so slightly embellished story of my nephew at 5 years old because I can’t remember all the facts from 25 years ago. And it’s the story that came to my mind as I read Proverbs 18 this morning.
Proverbs 18:19-21 KJVS
[19] A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. [20] A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. [21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The difference between a five year old soul winner and an adult soul winner is the style of delivery of the message. Well sometimes. I have seen a few preachers deliver it much the same as my nephew. And while that sometimes works, more often than not the result is a mad, offended sinner and a soul still “goin’ to Hell.” The wisdom of Solomon knew it, and the church should, but passion sometimes drives the salvation vehicle right over the person we’re trying to get saved.
Today’s blog is directed to anyone with family and friends who need saved and your frustration that I totally feel. But together lets use the wisdom of Solomon to create a strategy for welcoming them into the family of God.
One of my favorite quotes from my friend Doyle Ballengee was “If you ruffle the fur on the cat, just turn it around.” That cracks me up! Cats much prefer being petted and groomed in the direction their fur lays. Going against the natural man is much the same. Ruffling their fur will not cause them to succumb to your chatter. But speaking words of soothing comfort will certainly ease the conversation. I’m not speaking of sugar coating the gospel. Not ever! The gospel stands as the inerrant word of God and can handle itself. But it’s not necessary to hit them over the head with the Bible, just present it in love. Why do we not see that in Christ’s own example? When He dealt with the Pharisees and the religious tribe that were trying to kill Him, He was was point blank bold and in fur ruffling mode. But He could have said applesauce and cinnamon and they’d have screamed heresy. They had their fur ruffled before He ever said the first word. But when He spoke to the unsaved, He spoke in answered questions and informed them with compassion.
When Nicodemus came to Him in the night, likely for fear of being seen, Christ didn’t call him on his cowardliness, He called him on his lack of knowledge as a bible scholar, but not until after they spoke of salvation.
Nicodemus Knew there was Power in Christ
John 3:1-21 KJVS
[1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
The world should see that power in us. Not the power to perform miracles, but the power to live life in such a manner that people notice the difference, and they begin the conversation. “Hey, why are you always so happy?” “How do you go through the troubles you’ve going through with such a great attitude?” “How did you not come unglued when that guy yelled at you?”
Nicodemus knew there was something different about Jesus. So he sought Him out and asked the questions he needed to ask. But whether or not they start the conversation with us, they should still see the difference, so that when we seek them, they know it’s because we care.
Nicodemus didn’t know the Position of Christ
He said that he knew that Christ was a teacher that had “come from God.” He did not know that He was God! And that’s what we have to help the lost to understand, that there is power in being a child of God, but it’s not from the child but from God. A fact that we “with” the Spirit understand, but those “without” the Spirit are clueless as to how the Spirit works. So Christ informs Nicodemus with weighty emphasis (Verily, verily) on the what he had to understand to be saved.
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The fact that Christ was God couldn’t be understood by the flesh. The Spirit reveals that knowledge to us.
I can easily share my experience with discovering the Spirit. He had spoken to me for years, guided me from afar, but I did not know Him. And then I felt Him dealing with me more and more, “verily verily.” I knew it wasn’t Jiminy Cricket, this was different. This was a life altering moment, the moment I knew the man called Christ, was in the position of God.
Nicodemus didn’t know the Person of Christ
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. [9] Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? [10] Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? [11] Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Again Christ wants Nicodemus to understand that his religious-osity had failed him. Nicodemus was a religious leader; he understood religion but he didn’t understand this relationship that Christ had with His disciples. He goes on to tell him that He was not of this world. The Pharisees believed that they were going to be the hierarchy for God here on earth. God had washed His hands of them, they were ate up with corruption, arrogance and control. Jesus came in humility, servitude and sacrificial love. Religion doesn’t understand any of that.
So what does this have to do with our soul winning? We have to examine our relationship with Christ, and know who He is in our lives to be able to share Him with others. We need to feel what He feels on the inside of us so that when we begin that conversation with our lost family and friends, we’re speaking it with the humility, servitude and sacrificial love of Christ. We have to get ourselves and our frustration completely out of the equation. That’s tough… believe me when I tell you, “I know.”
But that is the strategy I want in my life. I want my family saved…. now. But I have to allow it to happen in Christ’s timing and with His words and compassion.
Love ya! Don’t run over anyone with the salvation bus 🚌 this month. Let’s get them into the Kingdom safely. 😀