How Do I Look?

by | May 13, 2014 | Example, Witnessing

I had an experience a few years ago that exemplifies how the world sometimes views us as Christians.

The occasion was a chapel service I was asked to speak at for a ministry in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There were about one hundred people there, mostly evangelical Christians from different church backgrounds. Before I began my talk I planted someone in the audience that I wanted to call on later. I told him that at some point I was going to look at him and I wanted him to ask me a question that I had given him. Unsure of my intent, he agreed to follow my instruction.

That day, I introduced myself as a Christian man named Bob. I went on to explain, “I attend a large Christian church here in town and I love the Lord. Jesus is really neat and the Bible is a great book. Of course it’s not really relevant anymore today.” Immediately some of my spectators began to look at each other as if to say, “Did I hear what I thought I heard?”

Still in character, I continued, “It is so wonderful to have so many different religions, isn’t it? After all they help so many of us arrive at our true potential, our real karma.” That did it. Now I could see some real tensions beginning to rise. By the way, the person I am describing is often called a cultural Christian. There are more people who believe this way than you may think.

I concluded with a question, “What do you do with a guy like that?” Please notice my choice of words. I did not say, “What do you say to a guy like that?” One by one they began to raise their hands. I vividly remember the first response, “Bob, you call yourself a Christian?” “Yes, I do.” “Well, do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and in fact was God?” “Why no, where did you get a ridiculous notion like that?”

It was like a lightning bolt went through my audience. My crowd was on the edge of their seats and hands were flying up all over the room. The same man continued, “It’s right here in the Bible.” I interrupted, “I already told you about the Bible. It’s a great book, but it’s not relevant. How can you believe that nonsense?”

Things were getting tense. The audience started to challenge me about my belief that all religions were good and I confounded them with examples out of the Bible that they could not speak to. Unfortunately many people who try to use the Bible to argue their point don’t know enough about it to really cement their case. I let it get to a feverish pitch, until the faces that stared back at me were filled with disgust. They hoped for someone, anyone to be able to corner me-to really zing me good.

Then I turned to my plant in the audience. He raised his hand and I acknowledged his question. “Bob, would you consider coming over to my house for dinner on Friday night?”

Sure, I said, I would be delighted.

The room went deafeningly quiet. People were bewildered. What was that? What did that have to do with our interaction? I then explained, “What you just witnessed is the key to our response as Christians. I am going to go over to this man’s house on Friday night. While there, I will have an opportunity to see how he conducts his life, how he treats his wife and kids. This experience alone will do more for the cause of Christ in my life than any argument that has just been spoken in this room.”

Occasionally, we must take a look in the mirror and realize how we are coming across to those who do not share our beliefs.

D’Acchioli, Vince. Wired to Work! Huntington House Publishers: Lafayette, 2001, p. 108-110. http://ontargetinstitute.org/

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How Do I Look?

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