What's the best?

This morning in Sunday school, the question "What's the best way to win Christian converts?" was asked. A few folks said that your daily lifestyle was your best witness, and a few said that approaching people with acceptance, letting them know that God loves them, is the best way. One said that God's forgiveness should be pre-eminent, and another said that we need to make sure that there's no such thing as "too far gone" for church. It was pointed out that even the cannibal-murderer Jeffrey Dahmer found forgiveness in Jesus before he was executed. Are any of those things the BEST way?

I'd say there are some pretty good points there, but the best way is to simply share your own experiences with whoever seems interested. In my own experience, people will notice something different about you if you live your faith and they will inevitably ask you about it. You see, people are basically the same the world over. They have the same wants, needs, and desires regardless of circumstance. Some of us are a little hard-headed and we think we don't need Jesus to forgive us and we don't need the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit to find happiness. So, when the time is right and those fallacies are coming to realization, people will seek what they need and, quite naturally, they'll look for it in the places where it seems most likely that they will find it. That's where the Christian believer comes in! You have to be ready to share your witness when these "Holy Spirit moments" come up! I guess what I'm trying to say is this; our own personal witness of the power of His love and forgiveness in our own lives is our most powerful tool for the conversion of non-believers!

So, do we have to be some sort of super-saints or something to deserve the privilege of witnessing to others? Well, I never was! When someone would tell an off-color joke or let go with a string of expletives, I wouldn't show any sort of disdain or whatever, I'd just laugh and continue with my business. Now, I would never join in with that sort of behavior telling off-color jokes or using profane language myself, but I wouldn't criticize others or even worse, CONDEMN others for these sorts of behaviors. Many times, I think, we're way too quick to tell others that they're going to hell if they don't follow Jesus. Let me ask you; how would you feel if some muslim walked up to you right now and told you that you're going to spend eternity putting out fires if you don't follow the holy prophet? I'd immediately be on the defensive (well, if I were not a blood-bought born again believer, that is!) and I'd let the Sheik know right quick that his brand of religion doesn't play here and if he knows what's good for him, he'd better find someone else to sell it to! The key, dear friends, is to show the love of Jesus to the world and let them know that there is a better, more peaceful way to live. You don't have to have all that stress! You don't have to live with anxiety and fear! You don't have to worry about the future, because the future of a believer is assured! Just as it says in the bible, storms come to the believer and non-believer alike, but the believer has a life that is founded on the Rock of Ages and he/she will weather the storm!

That's my take, like it or not! I know it doesn't "take Jesus to the streets" or whatever, but that's not my talent in any case. If this little blog, or the various chat boards I've run, or my own personal witness finds someone in need, I'll be happy to share because Jesus has totally changed my life and has made me complete and filled with joy! Life has thrown me some pretty interesting curveballs since I met Jesus, but, just like God's promise says, I've weathered them and have come out happier and more complete than I was going in! God is good, people! - Dan