For centuries, sailors used the stars of the night sky to guide them to safe harbors as they traveled through the darkness. The most important of these is Polaris, the North Star. Polaris is not only the brightest star that appears at night: it's also the only one which does not move. Those who wait until marriage for their first sexual encounter (provided that their marriage is Christ-centered and between one man and one woman) will be as the sun, the star which gives life to the creatures of the earth. For those who have failed, becoming the sun is an option that is sadly no longer open to them. However, through repentance, faith, and love, they can still become Polaris, the North Star, through the only one who can bring their sexuality back to life: Jesus Christ.
As those of you who have had premarital sex already know, there's no returning to Eden. Once you lose your V-card, it's gone. Nothing that you do can get it back. However, thanks to what Christ did for us on the cross, you can enter the New Jerusalem, the holy city which is the final paradise for all who believe in Him. If you repent of your sin and give your life to Christ, He will heal and restore your whole being, including your sexuality. Even though He may not make all of your problems go away (i.e. you will probably still have to deal with baby momma drama, deadbeat dads, or medical bills related to what you did), He will give you "World Peace Of The Soul" and "The Spiritual Force Unleashed" through eternal fusion with Him, transforming you into a resurrected virgin. Out of His mercy, He may still allow you to experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed" and "Romantic World Peace" within a Christ-centered marriage. I even read about a former porn star who became born-again and was miraculously cured of an STD that she had contracted, although this is extremely rare. Now, depending on your particular circumstance, getting another chance at "The Sexual Force Unleashed" and "Romantic World Peace" is not guaranteed. However, through Christ, all things are possible. At the very least, if you let Him, He will transform you into a human "North Star" who will guide the lost sailors (i.e. unbelievers) of the world into the safe harbor of His Salvation through your testimony.
On a side note, I want to make it clear that you are ONLY responsible for sexual encounters that you consented to. If someone (be they male or female) forced sex onto you, assaulted you while you were drunk, or molested you when you were a defenseless child, you are not to blame for the encounter. If that has happened, I strongly urge you to allow Christ to heal you through a saving relationship with Him, godly therapy, and a church small group which is SAFE, OPEN and RESPECTS CONFIDENTIALITY. Contrary to popular belief, these do exist. Just be aware that you may have to look harder for support if you are a male victim.
For those of you who have consented to forbidden sex (which is any sex before or outside of a marriage between one man and one woman), for whatever reason, then you can only experience a resurrected sexuality if you take responsibility for your participation in that encounter. It takes two to tango, especially if the tango happens to be "horizontal" and "clothing optional." If you accept responsibility for what you did, repent, and give your sexuality and life over to Christ, then He can truly transform you into Polaris, the brightest star in the night sky.
John 11: 25 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;" (NIV)
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
How To Receive The Purity Which Is Necessary To Experience The Full Power Of Human Fusion
To experience the full power of human fusion within marriage, and to reap the benefits of "The Sexual Force Unleashed" and "Romantic World Peace", you must become pure. However, purity is not gained through the means that you think.
You do not become pure through following a bunch of rules and regulations. Abstaining from immoral behavior without dealing with your heart's horny fantasies is like exercising at a gym that is sandwiched between a pizzeria and an ice cream shop. You may resist the urge to indulge for a while, but sooner or later, you will slip. When you do, you will fall. Hard. Not least because that smoking hot 19-year-old babe /totally ripped 27-year-old stud who called your bluff will be on top of you.
You do not become pure through obeying your parents or acting good to fit in with your strict, traditional peers (assuming that you grew up in that kind of culture/subculture). Believing that you're a moral and chaste person because you can control yourself when Mom and Dad are watching your every move is like believing that you're a great swimmer because you can stay afloat in your backyard swimming pool. It's easy to keep your head above water when your feet can touch the bottom. However, God will eventually put you to the test by throwing you into the ocean (i.e. the real world). And in the ocean of the real world, those who can't swim either:
A) Drown in addictions such as hardcore porn or "romance" e-books (a.k.a. hardcore porn for women).
B) Become shark food for the players and playeresses who make "Jaws" look like "Finding Nemo."
You do not become pure through trying to win the heart of your "true love." It may sound chivalrous and romantic to try to prove yourself worthy of some virgin princess or Prince Charming. However, what you are actually doing is turning that person into a marital trophy or championship belt. You are like a guy who is only training in the martial arts to win a UFC title or a girl who is only dieting to win "America's Next Top Model." You'll either:
A) Get discouraged and quit when you realize just how ruthless your competitors for Mr./Miss Perfect are (and realize that these competitors won't necessarily stop when you are dating, courting, or married to this person).
B) Become disillusioned when Mr./Miss Perfect turn out to be just as human (and screwed-up) as you are. Or worse.
C) Make an idol out of Mr./Miss Perfect, which will leave you devastated if you ever lose them (i.e. they dump you or die young)
So how do you REALLY stay pure before marriage? It's actually very simple.
YOU WILL ONLY BECOME PURE IF YOU DECIDE IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SIN AGAINST JESUS!!!!
You cannot achieve purity. You must receive it from Christ. If you try to get it on your own, you will fail. At best, you will put on a fake smiley face for the rest of the world while your forbidden urges rape your heart, mind, and soul. However, if you welcome Christ into your life, and are willing to die for Him, you will succeed. He will cast out your forbidden urges, give you the strength to conquer temptation, and provide you with healing that you never thought was possible.
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)
So do you have Christ in your life? Are you willing to die for Him? If so, you will succeed. Even if you have failed in the past, Christ can raise your sexuality from the dead and give you a romantic rebirth. To find out how, read next week's post.
You do not become pure through following a bunch of rules and regulations. Abstaining from immoral behavior without dealing with your heart's horny fantasies is like exercising at a gym that is sandwiched between a pizzeria and an ice cream shop. You may resist the urge to indulge for a while, but sooner or later, you will slip. When you do, you will fall. Hard. Not least because that smoking hot 19-year-old babe /totally ripped 27-year-old stud who called your bluff will be on top of you.
You do not become pure through obeying your parents or acting good to fit in with your strict, traditional peers (assuming that you grew up in that kind of culture/subculture). Believing that you're a moral and chaste person because you can control yourself when Mom and Dad are watching your every move is like believing that you're a great swimmer because you can stay afloat in your backyard swimming pool. It's easy to keep your head above water when your feet can touch the bottom. However, God will eventually put you to the test by throwing you into the ocean (i.e. the real world). And in the ocean of the real world, those who can't swim either:
A) Drown in addictions such as hardcore porn or "romance" e-books (a.k.a. hardcore porn for women).
B) Become shark food for the players and playeresses who make "Jaws" look like "Finding Nemo."
You do not become pure through trying to win the heart of your "true love." It may sound chivalrous and romantic to try to prove yourself worthy of some virgin princess or Prince Charming. However, what you are actually doing is turning that person into a marital trophy or championship belt. You are like a guy who is only training in the martial arts to win a UFC title or a girl who is only dieting to win "America's Next Top Model." You'll either:
A) Get discouraged and quit when you realize just how ruthless your competitors for Mr./Miss Perfect are (and realize that these competitors won't necessarily stop when you are dating, courting, or married to this person).
B) Become disillusioned when Mr./Miss Perfect turn out to be just as human (and screwed-up) as you are. Or worse.
C) Make an idol out of Mr./Miss Perfect, which will leave you devastated if you ever lose them (i.e. they dump you or die young)
So how do you REALLY stay pure before marriage? It's actually very simple.
YOU WILL ONLY BECOME PURE IF YOU DECIDE IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SIN AGAINST JESUS!!!!
You cannot achieve purity. You must receive it from Christ. If you try to get it on your own, you will fail. At best, you will put on a fake smiley face for the rest of the world while your forbidden urges rape your heart, mind, and soul. However, if you welcome Christ into your life, and are willing to die for Him, you will succeed. He will cast out your forbidden urges, give you the strength to conquer temptation, and provide you with healing that you never thought was possible.
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)
So do you have Christ in your life? Are you willing to die for Him? If so, you will succeed. Even if you have failed in the past, Christ can raise your sexuality from the dead and give you a romantic rebirth. To find out how, read next week's post.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Romantic World Peace: What You Gain When You Give Up Forbidden Sex
When two people "become one flesh" (i.e., have sex), human fusion results. Like nuclear fusion, human fusion cannot be contained by mankind. That being said, there is one man-made device which does use nuclear fusion: an ATOMIC BOMB!
An atomic bomb is the most powerful weapon on planet earth. When it is detonated, the immediate explosion is so catastrophic that Oppenheimer, one of its creators, (as well as Linkin Park more recently in their song, "The Catalyst") compared it to the fire of a thousand suns. Even worse, the nuclear fallout permanently contaminates the surrounding environment. Likewise, when you have forbidden sex (which is ANY sexual encounter outside of a marriage between one man and one woman), you set off a social atomic bomb. Your relationship with that person will end in the emotional fire of a thousand suns. Not to mention that there will be relational "nuclear fallout" that will contaminate you, your ex and everyone who is close to you two for years. We're talking baby momma drama, marital problems with your future spouse (if you even get married), deadbeat dads who don't pay child support, troubled kids, etc. On top of that, the relatives and mutual friends of you and your ex will probably wind up taking sides and going at each others' throats like rival teams on "The Ultimate Fighter."
However, I have some very good news.
When you refuse to engage in forbidden sex, you disarm the atomic bomb and create "ROMANTIC WORLD PEACE"!
Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
What does "Romantic World Peace" look like?
1)Emotional stability: You won't have a ton of baggage to drag into your future marriage.
2) Mental focus: You won't constantly compare your future spouse to previous hotties/studs that you "got busy with" in high school/college.
3) Physical health: Freaky microorganisms won't go biologically MMA on your intimate organs.
4) Social Harmony: You will be less likely to be caught in a social civil war between your friends and your ex's friends.
5) Spiritual Unity: You and your future wife will be able to enjoy "The Sexual Force Unleashed" because Christ will be empowering your sexual encounters.
So would you rather have "Romantic World Peace"? Or become a human weapon of mass destruction? If you would rather be a peacemaker, read next week's post to find out the only way to truly live a life of sexual purity.
An atomic bomb is the most powerful weapon on planet earth. When it is detonated, the immediate explosion is so catastrophic that Oppenheimer, one of its creators, (as well as Linkin Park more recently in their song, "The Catalyst") compared it to the fire of a thousand suns. Even worse, the nuclear fallout permanently contaminates the surrounding environment. Likewise, when you have forbidden sex (which is ANY sexual encounter outside of a marriage between one man and one woman), you set off a social atomic bomb. Your relationship with that person will end in the emotional fire of a thousand suns. Not to mention that there will be relational "nuclear fallout" that will contaminate you, your ex and everyone who is close to you two for years. We're talking baby momma drama, marital problems with your future spouse (if you even get married), deadbeat dads who don't pay child support, troubled kids, etc. On top of that, the relatives and mutual friends of you and your ex will probably wind up taking sides and going at each others' throats like rival teams on "The Ultimate Fighter."
However, I have some very good news.
When you refuse to engage in forbidden sex, you disarm the atomic bomb and create "ROMANTIC WORLD PEACE"!
Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
What does "Romantic World Peace" look like?
1)Emotional stability: You won't have a ton of baggage to drag into your future marriage.
2) Mental focus: You won't constantly compare your future spouse to previous hotties/studs that you "got busy with" in high school/college.
3) Physical health: Freaky microorganisms won't go biologically MMA on your intimate organs.
4) Social Harmony: You will be less likely to be caught in a social civil war between your friends and your ex's friends.
5) Spiritual Unity: You and your future wife will be able to enjoy "The Sexual Force Unleashed" because Christ will be empowering your sexual encounters.
So would you rather have "Romantic World Peace"? Or become a human weapon of mass destruction? If you would rather be a peacemaker, read next week's post to find out the only way to truly live a life of sexual purity.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Paradise Lost: What You Really Lose When You Turn In Your V-Card Before Marriage
When most people think about the consequences of forbidden sex, STDs, abortions gone awry, and unwanted pregnancies come to mind. While you should be concerned about those things, the greatest long-term consequence of forbidden sex is far more severe. If you decide to give in to your heart's darkest desires (and let's just face it, we all have those), there is no condom or pill strong enough to prevent it from happening.
When you give up your V-Card before you are married, you are giving up your chance to fully experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed" with your opposite gender best friend. In other words, your only shot at enjoying a lifetime in a complete, intimate paradise will be LOST FOREVER!!!!
God designed sex to make a man and woman "one flesh" within marriage.
Genesis 2: 24 "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (NIV)
This is essentially the human version of nuclear fusion. Just like fusion is the most powerful energy source in the universe (one that still cannot be contained by mankind), marital sex is the most powerful energy source in human relationships. In fact, when utilized in the manner that God designed it, marital intimacy becomes "The Sexual Force Unleashed." It is so amazing that it can't truly be contained by mankind, either (we'll get to that in later posts).
The only way for you to fully experience "human fusion" is for there to be no barriers between you and your spouse. Only then can you two be combined and experience a lifetime of "The Sexual Force Unleashed." With that in mind, how can we possibly experience it with barriers between us such as:
-That smoking hot babe who lived down the hall from you freshman year?
-That handsome 27-year-old lawyer with the Lexus who you REALLY thought was in love with you during your first year in college?
-The stacked office secretary whom you graciously escorted to her apartment after happy hour? You know, to "be a gentleman."
-Your bff's older brother with the six-pack abs who you "hung out with" at her graduation party? Hey, that upstairs bedroom was the perfect place to get away from the noise and "chill", right?
-You get the idea...
Fusion can only occur if atoms are combined. Likewise, sexual fusion can only occur if a husband and wife are combined. This can only happen if there are no barriers between them. When it does, the couple will experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed", and be empowered not only to truly love each other, but to be phenomenal parents to their children, an amazing source of support for their friends, and dedicated, beneficial members of their church and the community at large.
Are you willing to make any sacrifice necessary to experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed" within your marriage? If so, read my next post to find out what you really gain when you give up forbidden sex.
When you give up your V-Card before you are married, you are giving up your chance to fully experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed" with your opposite gender best friend. In other words, your only shot at enjoying a lifetime in a complete, intimate paradise will be LOST FOREVER!!!!
God designed sex to make a man and woman "one flesh" within marriage.
Genesis 2: 24 "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (NIV)
This is essentially the human version of nuclear fusion. Just like fusion is the most powerful energy source in the universe (one that still cannot be contained by mankind), marital sex is the most powerful energy source in human relationships. In fact, when utilized in the manner that God designed it, marital intimacy becomes "The Sexual Force Unleashed." It is so amazing that it can't truly be contained by mankind, either (we'll get to that in later posts).
The only way for you to fully experience "human fusion" is for there to be no barriers between you and your spouse. Only then can you two be combined and experience a lifetime of "The Sexual Force Unleashed." With that in mind, how can we possibly experience it with barriers between us such as:
-That smoking hot babe who lived down the hall from you freshman year?
-That handsome 27-year-old lawyer with the Lexus who you REALLY thought was in love with you during your first year in college?
-The stacked office secretary whom you graciously escorted to her apartment after happy hour? You know, to "be a gentleman."
-Your bff's older brother with the six-pack abs who you "hung out with" at her graduation party? Hey, that upstairs bedroom was the perfect place to get away from the noise and "chill", right?
-You get the idea...
Fusion can only occur if atoms are combined. Likewise, sexual fusion can only occur if a husband and wife are combined. This can only happen if there are no barriers between them. When it does, the couple will experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed", and be empowered not only to truly love each other, but to be phenomenal parents to their children, an amazing source of support for their friends, and dedicated, beneficial members of their church and the community at large.
Are you willing to make any sacrifice necessary to experience "The Sexual Force Unleashed" within your marriage? If so, read my next post to find out what you really gain when you give up forbidden sex.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Virgin Fight Club: Protect Your V-Card
It's no secret that virginity is no longer prized in America and the rest of Western civilization. In fact, if you say that you are waiting until marriage, you are either seen as:
A) A religious nutcase.
B) An exotic animal to be killed, skinned, and worn as a sexual "fur coat" by some player/cougar-in-training who wants to stroke their ego and impress their perverted friends.
This is especially true if you are a guy, since the stereotypical male is portrayed as sex-crazed zealot who is willing to lie, cheat, and steal in the name of their patron goddess, "Vajayjay Sanctus."
Why has our society become obsessed with forbidden sex?
1) Contrary to what many churches believe, sex is fun. In fact, God designed it as the ultimate coed adventure between a married man and woman.
Proverbs 5:18-19 "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love." (NIV)
Since sex is fun, it's only natural that we, as humans, are interested in it.
2) Contrary to what our society believes, the entire human race (including myself) is evil. Even though being mistreated or misinformed may aggravate the problem, we don't need that to happen for us to become bad. We are evil because we enjoy it. It makes us happy.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (KJV)
In other words, we are obsessed with forbidden sex because, to the human heart, evil + fun = "freaking sweet"! However, there is one crucial fact that society doesn't want you to know and which the church simply expects you to figure out if they just mention it in passing.
YOU CAN ONLY BE A VIRGIN ONCE!
Your virginity is like your life. You only get one, and the world is full of people who want you to waste it in the pursuit of something completely pointless or take it away from you. In light of this, isn't your virginity worth protecting? Isn't your virginity worth saving for your husband/wife, the one who truly deserves it?
I believe it is. More importantly, so does Christ.
Matthew 19:4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?" (NIV)
Jesus has made it very clear: "becoming one flesh" (i.e. sex) is only meant for the marital relationship. Since sex was Christ's idea, we better figure out how He designed it so that we can enjoy it to the fullest extent possible. To figure out how to use this powerful tool for Christ's glory, keep your eye on this blog for more "Virgin Fight Club" posts.
A) A religious nutcase.
B) An exotic animal to be killed, skinned, and worn as a sexual "fur coat" by some player/cougar-in-training who wants to stroke their ego and impress their perverted friends.
This is especially true if you are a guy, since the stereotypical male is portrayed as sex-crazed zealot who is willing to lie, cheat, and steal in the name of their patron goddess, "Vajayjay Sanctus."
Why has our society become obsessed with forbidden sex?
1) Contrary to what many churches believe, sex is fun. In fact, God designed it as the ultimate coed adventure between a married man and woman.
Proverbs 5:18-19 "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love." (NIV)
Since sex is fun, it's only natural that we, as humans, are interested in it.
2) Contrary to what our society believes, the entire human race (including myself) is evil. Even though being mistreated or misinformed may aggravate the problem, we don't need that to happen for us to become bad. We are evil because we enjoy it. It makes us happy.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (KJV)
In other words, we are obsessed with forbidden sex because, to the human heart, evil + fun = "freaking sweet"! However, there is one crucial fact that society doesn't want you to know and which the church simply expects you to figure out if they just mention it in passing.
YOU CAN ONLY BE A VIRGIN ONCE!
Your virginity is like your life. You only get one, and the world is full of people who want you to waste it in the pursuit of something completely pointless or take it away from you. In light of this, isn't your virginity worth protecting? Isn't your virginity worth saving for your husband/wife, the one who truly deserves it?
I believe it is. More importantly, so does Christ.
Matthew 19:4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?" (NIV)
Jesus has made it very clear: "becoming one flesh" (i.e. sex) is only meant for the marital relationship. Since sex was Christ's idea, we better figure out how He designed it so that we can enjoy it to the fullest extent possible. To figure out how to use this powerful tool for Christ's glory, keep your eye on this blog for more "Virgin Fight Club" posts.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Using The Subtle Approach To Give Your Testimony
Talking to people about Jesus Christ is like talking about Batman to Harvey Dent. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Batman comics, Harvey Dent was once Batman's ally and friend. However, after Harvey's face was scarred by a mobster during a trial, he turned evil and became Two-Face, one of Batman's mortal enemies. In a similar manner, humanity (through Adam and Eve), once enjoyed a close friendship with Jesus Christ. When we were tempted by Satan, we (through Adam and Eve) turned evil and became Christ's mortal enemies. Yet, in the same way that Batman still cares deeply about Harvey, so does Christ still care deeply about us. That's why those of us who have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior are called to preach the gospel: so that others can become saved. Even though non-Christians, like Two-Face, may choose to kill us with the flippant toss of a coin.
Fortunately, in the United States, your chances of being killed for talking about Jesus are very slim. That being said, you still have to be careful about how you go about it. I have discovered that if I bring up Jesus immediately, I get politely blown off and shooed away. So last night, I tried a more subtle approach at a local grocery store. I told the cashier and the bagger that the anniversary of the day that my best friend saved my life was coming up on April 20th. I then explained that my best friend had saved me by letting people drive nails through His hands and hang Him from a tree until He suffocated to death. Slowly, I worked around to saying that my best friend was the Christ, Jesus. Neither one of them came to faith, but the bagger listened intently to what I had to say. The cashier listened for a while, too, before she figured out who I was really talking about. If I had started preaching immediately, both of them would have probably blown me off with a curt "Have a nice day" before I could even finish the first sentence of my testimony.
Talking about Jesus is never easy. However, if you pick the right approach, you can at least get people to listen to your testimony.
Fortunately, in the United States, your chances of being killed for talking about Jesus are very slim. That being said, you still have to be careful about how you go about it. I have discovered that if I bring up Jesus immediately, I get politely blown off and shooed away. So last night, I tried a more subtle approach at a local grocery store. I told the cashier and the bagger that the anniversary of the day that my best friend saved my life was coming up on April 20th. I then explained that my best friend had saved me by letting people drive nails through His hands and hang Him from a tree until He suffocated to death. Slowly, I worked around to saying that my best friend was the Christ, Jesus. Neither one of them came to faith, but the bagger listened intently to what I had to say. The cashier listened for a while, too, before she figured out who I was really talking about. If I had started preaching immediately, both of them would have probably blown me off with a curt "Have a nice day" before I could even finish the first sentence of my testimony.
Talking about Jesus is never easy. However, if you pick the right approach, you can at least get people to listen to your testimony.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Spiritual Lessons Learned The Hard Way: Give Someone The Gospel While You Still Have The Chance
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..."-Matthew 28:19
If someone has not heard of Jesus, how can they come to faith in Him? That is an important question for us to ask as Christians before we wimp out of giving the gospel. I'm not saying that we should hang out on street corners screaming Bible verses at strangers. Unless this is ancient Israel and you are a prophet, that's being spiritually drunk and disorderly in public. I am saying, however, that if the opportunity presents itself, we need to tell people about Jesus. If we don't, we may not get another chance.
That person may die tomorrow, if not later that same day. To be less morbid, they may simply move. A few years ago, I lost a valuable opportunity to witness to someone because I was the one who moved. This person and I got off to a rocky start. I tried to say hello and they cut me off. When they had a change of heart and tried to befriend me later, I brushed them off. They reached out to me multiple times and I dismissed them. I later realized that God was leading that person to me over and over again so that I could show them His love and witness to them. However, because of wounded pride, I pushed them away.
Looking back on the situation, this person was very shy. Now I believe that the reason why they cut me off before was not because they were trying to be rude, but rather because they were intimidated. The Holy Spirit later let me know that if I had reached out to that person with the gospel, they would have believed. Unfortunately, by the time I had realized this, I had moved to a different area. I haven't seen that person since.
The reason why I am telling this story is that pride can be the root of our refusal to give the gospel. In my case, it was because I felt that I had been personally insulted. For most believers, it's because they don't want to be rejected. They would rather be well-liked by others than offer them the only way to escape the fires of hell: Christ. In other words, their pride and ego is more important than the eternal well-being of others.
I lost an opportunity to help someone reconcile with God because of my pride. Even though I have repented, the consequences may be permanent. As much as I hope that this person will still be reached by God's Word, the fact is that Christ may have selected me to be their final chance. If you have an opportunity to lead someone to a saving relationship with Christ, take it while you still can. It may not only be your only chance; it could be theirs as well.
If someone has not heard of Jesus, how can they come to faith in Him? That is an important question for us to ask as Christians before we wimp out of giving the gospel. I'm not saying that we should hang out on street corners screaming Bible verses at strangers. Unless this is ancient Israel and you are a prophet, that's being spiritually drunk and disorderly in public. I am saying, however, that if the opportunity presents itself, we need to tell people about Jesus. If we don't, we may not get another chance.
That person may die tomorrow, if not later that same day. To be less morbid, they may simply move. A few years ago, I lost a valuable opportunity to witness to someone because I was the one who moved. This person and I got off to a rocky start. I tried to say hello and they cut me off. When they had a change of heart and tried to befriend me later, I brushed them off. They reached out to me multiple times and I dismissed them. I later realized that God was leading that person to me over and over again so that I could show them His love and witness to them. However, because of wounded pride, I pushed them away.
Looking back on the situation, this person was very shy. Now I believe that the reason why they cut me off before was not because they were trying to be rude, but rather because they were intimidated. The Holy Spirit later let me know that if I had reached out to that person with the gospel, they would have believed. Unfortunately, by the time I had realized this, I had moved to a different area. I haven't seen that person since.
The reason why I am telling this story is that pride can be the root of our refusal to give the gospel. In my case, it was because I felt that I had been personally insulted. For most believers, it's because they don't want to be rejected. They would rather be well-liked by others than offer them the only way to escape the fires of hell: Christ. In other words, their pride and ego is more important than the eternal well-being of others.
I lost an opportunity to help someone reconcile with God because of my pride. Even though I have repented, the consequences may be permanent. As much as I hope that this person will still be reached by God's Word, the fact is that Christ may have selected me to be their final chance. If you have an opportunity to lead someone to a saving relationship with Christ, take it while you still can. It may not only be your only chance; it could be theirs as well.
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