One night Carl and I were headed to our favourite Indian spot. (Best curry I’ve ever had.) We ran into a guy from our neighbourhood, so we decided to have dinner with him. We started with some small talk which eventually led to Christ. We explained to him what we were doing here and about the World Race. This led him to start talking about his faith.
He told us he used to be a Christian, but is now a follower of Buddha. He further explained that through practicing meditation he gained all he needed to keep going in life. He also told us that in his visions he saw Jesus and all the other religious figures of the world. His belief is that every faith will lead you. It doesn’t matter who you follow. Basically he said that there is not just one way, but many ways. Obviously, I couldn’t just sit there. I had to say something. This man needed to know the truth. At least that was my intention.
He asked me why God would create man if he knew we would disobey him. Before I could even talk to him about free will, he interrupted me. This process of him asking me a question then not letting me answer went on for a while. Honestly, I was real close to raising my voice. My patience was getting thin and anger was starting to boil up. I was walking into the same trap that I often would in college. Christ debates are never the place to venture. Christ becomes just a topic instead of the Saviour. That is dangerous territory. By the way, the whole time this is going on Carl is just sitting there listening. “Where you at bro?” is all I can think. That anger was even making me start question Carl, not good. It’s not until later that he tells me that he didn’t want the guy to feel like we were ganging up on him. Okay, I can respect that.
At this point in the conversation, I just tell him that we need to go. I’ve told him the truth, or at least what he would let me get out. All he wanted to do was argue. So after he calls me “narrow-minded” and pays for dinner Carl and I head out. All I can say is “Thanks for dinner.”
That night taught me that it’s not my purpose to make people believe in God or Christ. It’s my job to present the Gospel to them, and if they accept it, Awesome! If they don’t, well I pray that you will someday.
I’m just the messenger.
Don’t get caught in the argument. Present it with love, if they decline, walk away and pray.
Colossians 4:5-6
“Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
