I am having a summit of sorts ( 😉 ) tomorrow morning with my friend from work at a local Starbucks in Vancouver, WA. Our topic of discussion will be why he needs Jesus, and how that can happen. There are some things that need to be worked through before my friend can become a full participant in the life of God through Christ. 1) He is that same friend who likes to listen to this guy and this guy; unfortunately! See, my friend from work is a very genuine and sincere guy who is on a self-proposed journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. For some reason he has chosen against Christ (like Jesus said ‘You are either for me or against me’), and for himself (as god … if that sounds like something you have read before [hint, hint Genesis 3], it’s because you have!). 2) I will attempt to demonstrate for my friend that his position is untenable in light of various things—like ethics, morality, explanatory power, etc. (so an abductive exercise)—but in the end I am fully aware that as the Apostle has so pointedly noted:
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. II Corinthians 4.4 (NIV)
So all I am left to believe is:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1.16 (NIV)
I am not under the delusion that I can whip my friend into Christianity through winning the ‘intellectual’ arguments (even though I will 😉 ); it is the Spirit of God alone who brings a person to the point wherein they can finally say that Jesus is Lord (I Cor. 12.3). But maybe, just maybe the Lord will use my small offering tomorrow to plant seeds (I Cor. 3) that someone else might come along and water (or maybe I’m doing the watering by the Spirit tomorrow); that someone else, finally, will be able to harvest. Anyway, if you remember me and my friend tomorrow between the times of 10am-11:30am (pst); then please pray that the Lord would be present in our time of discussion, and that my friend would finally quit ‘kicking against the goads’, and become a full participant in the life of salvation and grace that Christ has won for all of us in his own life for us! Thanks.
Hi Bobby
I will be thinking of you both. This I know any conversation about Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the reality of our vicarious Jesus will resonate inside the heart, for everything is already planted there in His fullness. Whether it renovates our mind to give us real relational meaning depends how far we have slipped into the cesspool of our own despair of I am not!
Praying for your friend and that the love of Jesus shine through you.
Also on my end, I’ve been invited to join a new facebook group of international Christians and Muslims called “Christianity and Islam Nexxus” to promote understanding and mutual respect between people of the two faiths. I think that most of us of either faith (that would be involved in such a group, or as here, would study Theology) are in favor of mutual respect for all of God’s people, (whether or not they are counted as God’s children). And while the stated mission remains my mission, it should come as a surprise to no-one that there is a hope that more complete information shared about our faith and He who authored it, will open up some to it’s Truth. It may even come as a surprise to some Christians involved that there is a “flavor” of Calvinism soon to be known as “Evangelical Calvinism”. All in due season 😉
Now since your “summit” is probably over, I will pray your friend’s heart was moved, and that the Lord continues to water that seed, and that it grow.
@John,
Thank you, brother! Appreciate it, and you’re right.
@Duane,
Thank you brother, and I’ll pray that you can make an impact with your new Muslim friends. I worked in Muslim evangelism, formally, for two years; a great experience, and a great way to learn patience 😉 ! Thanks for the prayers for my coworker!