Go and make disciple’s
I’m sitting
here enjoying a cup of coffee, having read several posts online, by persons
that believe atheists are the enemy. The
point of view is that we need to show them how they are wrong, there are many
tracts out there that use this point of view.
If you were to die today, where are you going? We’re on the right side, they are on the
wrong side. So we walk up to someone,
and all but say that, accept Jesus or you’re going to eternal punishment. The motive is usually sincere and said
“lovingly”, but that is the wrong approach.
Now, you may get some to pray the prayer of repentence, but their
acceptance of Jesus won’t last. Others
are simply put on the defensive. We need
to change our thinking when it comes to saving the lost. It isn’t us vs. them,
it’s us with Jesus looking to plunder and take back a child of Father God, the
true enemy is the devil, who has blinded the eyes of that person. As Paul stated this isn’t a war against flesh
and blood, but is spiritual warfare, to the pulling down of strongholds. We are all controlled in one form or another
by a spirit, it’s either Holy Spirit or the evil spirits. We have a protector who guards our minds
(when we allow Him to) the non-believer doesn’t, any thought that pops into
their head, they accept. In my case, as
a Believer now, I can’t even comprehend why I thought the way I did, for 43
years. It is because back then, my mind
was the enemy’s stronghold. In the next
few lines is an example of a non-believers thoughts when approached by a
Believer, don’t try to understand it, or argue against it, just realize this is
how a non-believer thinks especially an atheist.
Hi Tony, if you died this moment
where are you going? (I may not say this out loud, but I’m
thinking it). I don’t know, who cares,
when I’m dead I’m dead. Time for a beer, I’m gonna get drunk and high outta of
my mind. Unless, you know Jesus you’re going
to Hell! Heaven doesn’t want me and satan is afraid I’ll take hell
over. Party time! (it’s irrelevant that
I am still sick from last night’s party).
Just accept Jesus into your heart and repent of your sins, then you’ll be
saved. Ok, I’ll say the stupid
prayer just to get this idiot to leave.
(That’s one response) another would be getting offensive and just use
inappropriate language, get you offended then you’ll either argue with me, or
leave. If you argue with me, then you’re no Christian, you’re just like the
world. I’ll win the argument anyway,
because you won’t change my mind, cause I’ll throw things at you, you can’t
answer. Well, if there’s a God, why did
my dad die? Why all the misery? (No matter what your answer is I’m not
listening)(Another reaction from me) I would just jump on you beat you to a
pulp, and ask where your God is now, as you’re bleeding. (These reactions would be the same whether
you’re reading from a tract or at work trying to point out what an awful sinner
I am.) If you’re a co-worker or even an
acquaintance and constantly try to talk to me, the minute I see you, I’m ready
for you.
You might
get me at a moment of weakness, when I just get out of jail and trying to find
answers. I may ask some questions, but
nine times outta ten your answers won’t make sense and won’t work for me. Just keep your focus on Our Lord Jesus, He’ll help
you get through it. When you quit
sinning, things will improve, just don’t use drugs anymore. Read the Bible, God will speak to you. I’ve read the Bible, ain’t heard nothing. Quit sinning, are you crazy!!? If I could quit
drugs, I would’ve quit a long time ago.
Quit drinking? Hello!!! Do you think I really want to be miserable? I know it’s hard, but if you set your mind to it,
you can quit, with Jesus’ help. I’ll
take you to AA, they can help. Been
there done that, a bunch of people telling me to do this or do that for the
rest of my life, no thanks!
Ok, do you
get the picture, when I was an atheist I didn’t have rational thoughts and the
answers given to me don’t stick. When I
was paralyzed, a man would walk up to me and say “keep your mind on the
cross”. Now it makes sense, but at the
time, it was completely over my head. It
made no sense to me. The words focus on
Jesus, once again completely over my head.
No matter how rational a person seems to be, if they aren’t a believer,
when it comes to talking about Jesus, their thoughts are not rational. They have no protection from the dark
spiritual forces over their minds. It is like living next to a thief, and
leaving the door open when you leave the house, no protection. He can come and go as he pleases.
Ok, so what
is the answer? First, the way we view them.
They are victims, yes the man that kills twenty people is a victim, the
drunk driver is a victim. It is the
spiritual forces that controls them, that is the enemy. Yes, they have to be held accountable for
their actions, it isn’t an excuse to escape earthly punishment. But they are deceived and their minds are not
rational. Jesus, could forgive the one’s
that crucified Him, because He knew that.
Paul could forgive himself, because He experienced being deceived,
himself. Remember Saul, did Love God and
thought he was defending God, not knowing he was deceived. The followers of
Jesus, forgave Paul, how unreal is that?!! I am forgiven, because I was deceived, I’ve
been held accountable for my actions, absolutely! But I was also a victim of deception. Those zealous for other religions are
deceived, it doesn’t make their actions ok.
But with knowing this, the way we treat them will change, and Holy
Spirit can go in and take the scales off of their eyes. Instead of condemning, realize that it is the
goodness of God that leads men to repentance. We are witnesses to that
goodness, and that is what we have to share. The Love of God. His Love is what breaks through the deception,
not our speaking “lovingly” about how bad sin is! My wife, (before we were married) was a
witness of the Love of God, to me; without preaching to me, without saying what
a terrible person I was,
without condoning my actions. The
Love of God flowed through her and affected me . We have Holy Spirit in us, and He wants out,
to change the atmosphere around us. We
are to be a peculiar people, and that’s how we are when God’s Love (not ours,
His Perfect Love) flows through us.
Jesus stated continue you in My Love, .(John 15:9)to His disciple’s and
after they received Holy Spirit, they did just that. If this makes no sense to
you, read this. http://trustjesusfavor.blogspot.com/2014/02/being-perfected.html
Just a note:
I’m not against AA or any organization that tries to help people. There are many people that these
organizations do help and I’m all for them! The ultimate life changer is truly
experiencing the Love of God.
