- from a store sign in Tallahassee, FL
EVANGELISM AT MY DOOR
I recently
had the opportunity to share my faith – at my own front door. As I sat in my
home, three men knocked on the door. They were Mormon missionaries. We spoke
for several minutes. During that time I had the opportunity to share my faith
with them. They did not convert, nor did I. But the Gospel (the true Gospel)
was shared. It was an evangelistic opportunity on my doorstep.
This was
not the first time I have had such an encounter. I am no expert on Mormon
evangelism. But there are several things I have learned that help me share my
faith with Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or anyone else who comes to my door.
First, have
no fear. I am not afraid of being sucked into a cult or being brainwashed. I
know the truth. I am secure in my faith. The truth always holds up. Once you are over the fear of being brainwashed, it is easy, even fun, to
engage in a conversation with someone, respectfully question them on their
beliefs, and share the truth. In fact, I have found that the person at the door
is far more afraid of me than I am of them. As the questions arise, they often
begin to sweat and stutter because their system of belief just doesn’t hold up.
They do not know for sure that they are going to heaven. I know I’m going to
heaven because Jesus Christ paid the price for my sins when He died on the
cross and rose from the dead. I am forgiven and have no need to work my way to
heaven. The work was done by Jesus. Why would I trade a grace-based, know-so
faith for a works-based, hope-so faith? I have nothing to fear.
Second, do
not get angry. Some people get angry at the people at the door and speak
harshly to them or slam the door in their faces. I believe this is the wrong
approach. When we speak in an unkind manner, emotions rise and block the
reception of ideas in the mind. By keeping the conversation friendly, one can
reason with another person. If I had been unkind, I would have missed the
opportunity to share the truth with the three young men at my door. When I stand
before God one day, I believe He will be interested in how I shared the
truth, not in how I chased people away. Also, it is important to remember that
the people who come to your door honestly believe they are doing good. I want
to encourage people to do good. I just want them to know what good really is.
They are not trying to do bad. They are just uninformed. So inform them!
Third,
share the truth! Having a nice conversation is not enough. At some point you
must share the true Gospel, that Jesus Christ (God in human flesh – not a
created being) died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so that all
who believe in Him will have everlasting life. It is not my job to save them –
only God can do that. It is my job to share the truth. Every Christian should
be prepared to share the Gospel at any time. When the opportunity comes, be
ready.
When
someone comes knocking at your door, whether religious groups or even salesmen,
it is an opportunity for evangelism. Take a little time to share Jesus with
those who come to your door. If you can, go knock on a few doors yourself.
Justice Will Come
"For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath" (Job 21:30, NKJV)
Job was in a terrible situation. He lost his children, his possessions, and his health. His wife urged him to just end it all by cursing God and dying. His friends all gathered together, not to comfort Job, but to straighten him out. They assumed that Job's trouble was the result of some hidden sin for which God was punishing him. One of Job's friends, Zophar, to support this argument, stated that God always punishes the wicked. The implication was that Job's suffering was a result of such punishment. (ch 20) Job countered his argument by demonstrating that sometimes the wicked do prosper in this life. (ch 21) This raises the age-old question, "Why do the wicked prosper?" Why does God seem to let some people get away with terrible sins? Job answered that question. The wicked will indeed be punished, but perhaps not in this life. They will be punished, if not in this life, in the next, on judgement day. The fact is, we cannot assume that because someone is having trouble God is punishing them, nor that because someone prospers that he is right with God. Instead, we must search our own hearts to see if we are right with God, and if not repent and seek His forgiveness. We must all stand before God's judgement seat one day. Only those whose sins are forgiven, who trust in Jesus' atoning death on the cross and resurrection from the dead will escape God's wrath. Also, we must realize that sometimes adversity comes our way to strengthen our faith and cause us to seek God. Circumstances are not always a result of our standing before God. Sometimes they are catalysts designed to strengthen our standing before God.
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