Quote:
Originally Posted by coadie
I learned that is not true the hard way. I made a serious mistake recently with that bad advice.
I had seen a poor woman in church a couple of times. Extremely poor. I was witnessing to 2 poor students that are immmingrants and recognized her face. I had never brought the 2 students to church.
I started conversation with her. I find out one of the reasons she was visiting our church, was her mom was dying and they knew it. It was for asking our church to do the funeral for the mother. Some time later after she had excuses I didn't follow up. The Holy Ghost convicted me to follow up but I said no, she is still grieving. Then she died. There are not good reasons to postpone witnessing. From Jonah on, we have seen people procrastinate on witnessing.
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Then don't bother with relationships, grab your megaphone and join the freaks on our city's street corners that scream "Repent or Perish!" Have at it and let me know how that works out for you.
I have a strong conviction that the Spirit leads and guides people to Jesus. I'm not the center figure here. I listen, stay sensitive to the Spirit, address their needs, and in doing so, share the Gospel. I assumed you, or someone else, would sabotage what I said and require a disclaimer. I'm not a fan of never sharing the Gospel, or being timid about doing so. But knocking on a door and cold calling on the phone is not how Jesus discipled, nor is it how the Apostles discipled. Invite them to "come and see," and it won't be long until they confess He is Lord.
But my motive for compassion is not a ploy to add to my church fellowship. We are compassionate people because of the Gospel at work in our lives. Period. Even our serving is a picture of Christ serving us, a beautiful portrait of the Gospel. "Charity" Christians with motives are spotted a mile away. And yes, with those, folks would rather just have your dollar. They certainly don't have your ear or heart.
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