Ravi Zacharias advises the Christian on how to share their faith in a secular society with grace.
“If our method is in violation of the message people will see it quite quickly.”
I have had many conversations with secularists, humanists, atheists, etc. Sometimes arrogance rears its ugly head and there is no hope of an honest exploration of one another’s view. I cannot fault them for behaving within their nature. But I have a new nature and the ability to love unconditionally, I have no excuse. If I want to be heard, I must die to myself and approach others in humility. It’s not about me, it is all about them and their salvation. If I truly have the heart to see them grasp the truth, then my method must match the message.
As a Christian, we have an unfair advantage because we have the Truth. Recognize the need in the other person and view him or her as one in bondage to the lies that once entangled you. Grace can break those bonds when paired with reason. We can boldly proclaim the truth, with respect and humility leading others to Living Water. We cannot make them drink, but the next time they thirst, perhaps they will trace their steps back to that conversation. And when his head hits the pillow, his thoughts will drift back to the discussion he had last week. And he will think to himself, “Maybe I need to re-examine the evidence, maybe there is more to life, maybe this is not all there is . . . ”
I recognize that it is unfathomable to people to think that a stranger would genuinely care deeply about their eternity. But it is this reckless abandon of self that moves Christ followers to place themselves in harm’s way just to love a lost soul. I do this by entering into discussions with atheist and secularist enduring attacks on my faith and on my intellect. Others may sell everything and move to Africa to minister to the hungry and the sick, some day I hope to as well. To me when a person recognizes her need for a Savior, it is well worth enduring a few verbal assaults.
I pray earnestly that my actions imitate the object of my faith.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. “
Crave 
“I recognize that it is unfathomable to people to think that a stranger would genuinely care deeply about their eternity.”
Not unfathomable at all.
I care deeply about the eternity of everyone I meet. Of course, ‘eternity’ to me means only the length of time stretching birth to death.
But still, I understand completely. If I believed what you believed, I would be the biggest evangelical you ever saw. (And not just in size. 😉 ) So I understand completely. Just because I disagree with your conclusions doesn’t mean I necessarily don’t understand or dislike your actions because of those conclusions.
Not necessarily, anyway.
Have you given thought to what and where your life would be if there were no one to save? If your life is worth nothing to you, to whom is it worth anything?
Perhaps we are all on this ride together, and people around you are playing a part so you can find the worth of your life?
Rhetorical at best, sorry for the intrusion….
Michael-
Your honest thoughts are never an intrusion.
I am not sure how you came to the opinion that I base my worth upon the need to save others. Worth, of course, is subjective and what I consider the measuring rod to determine worth is very different from yours.
To me, every human life has divine eternal value, regardless of education, demographic status, vocation, monetary worth, etc. The life of Hitler held the same value as the life of Mother Teresa. The difference to you and I as finite creatures is in the value of each life as it relates to the rest of humanity. How did that person’s existence benefit or curse the rest of us, because, as you said, we are all on this ride together.
You said, “Have you given thought to what and where your life would be if there were no one to save?”
For as long as there is human life on this earth, people will need salvation, but I am not the one doing the saving. I have, however, given much thought about where my life would be if I were not saved, which motivates me to spend much of my free time conversing with you fine folks.
But don’t worry, I don’t want to save you. I only know the One who does.
morsecode-
“I care deeply about the eternity of everyone I meet. Of course, ‘eternity’ to me means only the length of time stretching birth to death.”
Perhaps that is where Christians, or any theist really, falls short. We believe in an eternity beyond this life, so we may not be as passionate about correcting present circumstances as humanists. Since this life is temporal, we are motivated to live life in such a way that we influence eternity. Or rather that we realize eternity.
There is a scripture that says, “…faith, hope and love, these three remain. But the greatest of these is love.” I choose to live a life where faith, hope, and love dictate my words and actions and in living that way, I bring glory to my Creator. That is my full purpose of my existance and in that I find my worth.
You hypocrite.
John-
Well, thank you for not cursing in your comment. Well done.
Sometimes my human nature rears its ugly head. I think “Gosh, if they are going to be so stubborn….then they get what they deserve.” But then Christ’s nature gently reminds me that I was one of the biggest sinners of all and I certainly did not deserve grace, understanding or saving but Jesus gave it to me anyway. Just because I asked.
Then I must turn to the person that needs saving and see them how Jesus sees them, as His precious child. A wayward child but precious in His sight. It hurts me when I see family members and even long time friends see every day evidence of His presense and STILL shake their fist at the sky and say God does not exist. It will equally hurt me when I get to heaven and realize I did nothing to get them there if I stay silent. So I speak. I tick people off and still speak the truth because that is what He wants me to do. Sometimes the truth is ugly because it rips at our sin and makes us feel defensive.
All those years of drinking and other ways of life that I gave into made my heart hard toward the truth. When I heard it from people like you, my dear friend Nance, I scorned it, laughed at and made rude jokes. But it was the truth nonetheless. Now I am ashamed of those times I acted like a jackass (sorry) and ask for forgiveness for the times I still get into that old way of thinking from time to time. Sin doesn’t go away just because I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior but it hurts now when I do it and I try to turn away from sin.
I pray for each of your blogger friends that they see the truth when someone as loving as you tries to point them in the right direction. I know you are doing it from the right place and loving heart. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Love!!
This is your blog, and your views, you have my respect in this matter. You also seem to have great skill in divining so much about me from a few typed sentences.
However, you have taken a very large bite of the apple. I hope it does not completely consume you before you reach the end of your journey.
I wish for you to have everything you need as you go through your life.
My best for you always,
Michael
Michael-
“However, you have taken a very large bite of the apple. I hope it does not completely consume you before you reach the end of your journey.”
What does that even mean?
If you were to print out our comments and read this fifty years from now, it will make complete sense to you. Because it makes little sense to you, it is best left as is.
Some time in the future when you are reading scripture perhaps, you will read the story of the light under the chair, and maybe remember this post.
Your heart is in the right place, press on, keep blogging, and most importantly keep living the best life you can.
My best for you (always),
Michael
Michael-
If when I am in my nineties and I remember this post, I will certainly be a medical miracle, since today I can’t even remember what I did last week.
But OK, from your lips to God’s ears.
Thank you for the encouragement, I am sure your heart is in the right place as well.
Michael-
I was not sure to what scripture you were referring. Are you talking about the light under a bushel parable? Luke 8:16-18, Mark 4:21-25
I have read the Bible many times over and I do not recall a story about a light under a chair.
What are you inferring is the correlation to this post? Just curious.
Yes, the lantern under the bushel. I love the parables of the bible and the stories – once you wade through the traps and the pitfalls that is. You are on your own path and you must do what you believe in your heart to be correct. It is by our hearts that we are judged of course.
One last thought, perhaps you will add a final completing thought? You remember the story of Jesus at the wedding when they ran out of wine? What did Jesus do?
My best for you (always),
Michael
What about my offer? You’re still undecided? As a hypocrite you are perfect. If you don’t want to join my team I will nominate Hillary Clinton as VP.