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Providing a Choice
by Bobby Bruno As Christians who want everyone to know about the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, we tend to want the seeker to know Jesus so badly that we urge others to make a decision in our midst, right then and there. Knowing where I was, spiritually, physically (health-wise), and mentally before Jesus opened my eyes to the truth of my life and healed me in so many ways, I want others to know this feeling of freedom so much that I want them to feel it right now, and not to miss another second of true living. That would be the challenge for me: I know where I've been; I know what Jesus saved me from; and I know what Jesus has given me in terms of life, love, forgiveness, purpose and salvation. I just want the seeker to have all of these things that I know are missing from their lives. Being quiet while they make the decision would be difficult because I would already be saying yes for them in my heart. I would have to pray for the Holy Spirit to button my lips for me because I don't know if I could do it for myself for, in my zeal, I would want to rush the seeker before they are ready because I already know what a life in Christ is like and, again, want so badly for them to know that kind of life, too. As they say, "Loose lips sink ships!" Comment: "I feel that there are times when I am witnessing that I just want the person to be out of pain, so I want them to hurry up and say yes in accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior." Author Response: I know exactly how you feel! We know the depths of the pain we were in before we came to Christ (or He came to us). And we also know the relief, peace, calmness, and joy we now experience with Christ in our lives so much that we want others to feel these things as well without hesitation. Those few minutes that we are waiting for a response can be agony because we know the immensity of the healing we received from Jesus ourselves and want them to be free from the pain and suffering that life has dealt to them. When I have felt that rush to want to say yes for them, I pray in my mind, over and over, "Say yes, say yes, say yes, say yes." I also see the importance of not drowning them with our stories after they have said yes, too. Our zeal for Christ pleases Him to no end, but it pleases Him more when we let Him tell our seeker "Yes" first. Comment: "A coerced conversion is no conversion at all." Author Response: You are so right. It has to be their decision. If it isn't than they have made no decision at all. We have to give them the chance to reach the "AHA" moment. The moment when they realize that Jesus is real by what He does in the process, not only by what He has us say to them. Our words are nothing more than the words that pass our lips. But the power those words convey are the work of the Holy Spirit. As the Word says: All power and glory to the lamb that was slain. Bobby Bruno was saved 15 years ago in a way that left him no doubt that Jesus wanted him to reach others with His great and abounding love. He started writing at the age of 12 and hasn't stopped since. He achieved Associates Degree in Biblical Studies from Ohio Christian University in early 2014. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |