Salvation is of the Lord. --Jonah 2:9b
It should be obvious, right? But oh, how often I forget to turn to the Lord for help when I’m witnessing to someone who is like I was: a hard-hearted agnostic or atheist who thinks Christians are, at best, wishful thinkers.
I’m always well-armed with reasons for the hope that is within me – the very same reasons that convinced me over a decade ago that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God, His revelation of Himself to His creation and the truth about where we came from, what we’re doing here and where we’re headed.
But nothing good ever comes of it when I am relying on those reasons alone – or on my own stumbling presentation or hazy insights into exactly what might persuade this particular person to crack open the door of his or heart to the Lord. Only He knows precisely what should be said at what moment; only He can prompt conversation that will lead to the planting of just the right seed; only He can soften the human heart to hear His message.
And so especially when I am preparing to share the Good News with someone who is not eager to hear it, I try to remember to take it up with Him before, during and after the meeting – to “pray without ceasing,” as the apostle Paul advised in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Next up: Gathering the evidence
It should be obvious, right? But oh, how often I forget to turn to the Lord for help when I’m witnessing to someone who is like I was: a hard-hearted agnostic or atheist who thinks Christians are, at best, wishful thinkers.
I’m always well-armed with reasons for the hope that is within me – the very same reasons that convinced me over a decade ago that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God, His revelation of Himself to His creation and the truth about where we came from, what we’re doing here and where we’re headed.
But nothing good ever comes of it when I am relying on those reasons alone – or on my own stumbling presentation or hazy insights into exactly what might persuade this particular person to crack open the door of his or heart to the Lord. Only He knows precisely what should be said at what moment; only He can prompt conversation that will lead to the planting of just the right seed; only He can soften the human heart to hear His message.
And so especially when I am preparing to share the Good News with someone who is not eager to hear it, I try to remember to take it up with Him before, during and after the meeting – to “pray without ceasing,” as the apostle Paul advised in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Next up: Gathering the evidence
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