I Proselytized To A Native American, Here's How It Went.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

In my last post, I talked about how I felt the pull of proselytizing to people.  Today, I actually did it.  Let me give you the background in what led to me doing it, and how it turned out.

Last night, as our family was watching Star Trek: Discovery, I pondered on the idea of talking to people.  Weeks ago, I went to a certain gas station early in the morning to get some gas, where the manager (whom I am technically extended family with) carried on a conversation with me.  She asked me about my job, and how long I've worked there, etc.  I asked her something like, "Are you curious about working for the school district?"  She replied, "No, just making conversation." 

It hit me:  I'm terrible at making conversation.  I haven't tried to "get to know" people since I stopped trying to find a wife (I'm a pretty biased person).  The last time I recall having a genuine conversation with someone outside family (initiated by the other person, that is), was with Gates McFadden at Planet Comicon in 2022.  In retrospect, Dr. Crusher was more of an evangelist than I was.  

Anyway, that was the thought.  As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that Mary Wiseman, who played Tilly, would offer a great "masterclass" in conversation.

Anyway, as I was thinking about conversing with people, I thought, "What do I talk about?"  Oh yeah!  Maybe I should talk about Jesus to them!  Isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?  Thus, the previous post about my hesitations to give cold pitches about Jesus to strangers.  Is it a lost art?  Perhaps.

Yet, I resolved to actually do it, to preach the Gospel to at least ONE person today.  I still remember the words of the atheist Penn Jilette, who hates those who don't proselytize, because if Christians truly believe in the eternal torture of Hell, why wouldn't you broadcast it fully to the world?

So, after my building check, I headed to Walmart to get some groceries.  I then had a thought pop in my head, suggesting I go to the same gas station to proselytize.  I ignored the thought, thinking that it's just my own imagination (Proverbs 3:5).  As I was approaching Walmart, I thought to myself, "Why not?  Let's do it just in case it is God telling me to do it."  If this is the wrong approach, please correct me on this. (Proverbs 6:23)

So I went to the gas station, and filled a Styrofoam cup of Diet Coke to purchase.  There was one gentleman who was there, and I carried on a conversation with him.  I thank God that he carried more of the weight of the conversation, so it was no issue for me to ask if he was a Christian.  He said he was.  We then parted ways.

I then went to the counter after the first gentleman paid for his drink.  The clerk rung me up, commenting that I could have had it cheaper had I bought a reusable cup like the first gentleman.  I paid for the drink, he gave me the change, and then I asked him a line that I previously thought of, which was, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" (Was it the Holy Spirit giving me this idea, per Luke 12:12 and the like?)  

After being taken aback a little, the clerk told me how he hopes not to burden his children with his debts.

I then clarified, "What about your soul?"

He replied, "I'm Native American, so I believe that we come from the earth, and when we die, we return to the earth.  I don't believe in Heaven or Hell, and I don't believe a religion should be pushed on someone."

I then thanked him for his honesty, and he returned the same sentiment in kind towards me.  I left, going back to Walmart to get the groceries.

So what did I learn from all of this?  I thought to myself, "OK, people don't like being proselytized."  I then remember Paul's words:

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

(1Co 9:20-23)

There is indeed strategy to be considered when trying to win souls.  I certainly didn't want to spout platitudes like, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?", but perhaps the line, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" is also a platitude, I hope that's not the case, I hope I didn't deliver that line as a platitude.  As a whole, humans aren't stupid.  They can smell a platitude miles away, and can tell whether or not someone is genuine.  There is an common expression: "Read the room."  This expression is biblical:

Rom_12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

So how do I get the Gospel out, verbally?  I seem to have no problem doing it in writing, as this blog is certainly being read, for that I thank you, audience.  But how do I do it with my own tongue?  Perhaps these pieces of Scripture will help:

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

1Co 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

I have always believed that any evangelism is to be natural and effortless, because, as I've said, the world can spot a fake.  May God help me to broadcast the Gospel, in any and every way.  May I not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).

I Confess, I Don't Know How To Proselytize In Public

 “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matthew 10:19-20, KJV)

Oh wow, I've talked about this before.

I remember many times recently when I have the chance to speak to a stranger for a few minutes.  In my mind, I'm thinking, "OK, now's your chance to preach the Gospel."  Nearly every time, I'm silent.  I don't know what to say.  I don't like using the platitudes of "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?", or "Do you know where you'll be when you die?"

I often wonder, "Am I truly ashamed of Christ?"  If so, then Christ will be ashamed of me (Mark 8:38, etc.), and I think that means Hell.

So why don't I even mention Jesus?  It's easy for me to write about Him online, yet in public, cold, the words won't come out!  Obviously, everyone needs to hear the Gospel, because their own eternal souls are at stake!  I warn people in public about natural disasters, and yet warning people in public about eternal disasters is put on the back burner.  (Most all I can muster is appear to talk to myself, saying "Acts 2:38!" and the like.  At least the message is somewhat broadcast.)

I do have a few reasons for my hesitation.  For example, let's say someone does respond to Christ.  Naturally, they will want to attend a Bible believing church to fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).  Problem is, I cannot recommend one to them, not even my own family's church (an American Baptist church whose denomination I have previously exposed as unbiblical).

However, the true Church is not necessarily housed in a building.  The true Church is the entire body of believers, albeit scattered in many places around the world.  Best I can do is keep in touch online, which, by the way, if you're reading this, and believe to be a believer, please contact me.  I am no pastor, I preach only what I know (I Corinthians 13:9).

I pray the Holy Spirit gives me not only the words to speak in public, but the boldness (Ephesians 6:20) to do so.  Relying on His sword, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), helps.

What If I'm Not Saved? (And Discovering A New Method Of Evangelism)

 I know, it's an unusual question to ask, but I have to vent.

I've been a Christian for many years (how many, I don't know, I don't count the time I first "asked Jesus into my heart", I was still following false Christianity at the time).  Yet, I don't seem to have the passion and desire to proselytize openly to others in public.  You know, what they call "street preaching".  Why don't I do this?  My main excuse is, "I don't know what to say.", which reminds me of these verses:

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

(Mat 10:19-20)

And there are others like this.

Concerning proselytizing in general, I am also reminded of this verse (or something like it):

Jer 4:19  My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 

I think the actual verse I'm thinking of says something like "I cannot hold it in", that is, the words of the Gospel.

Here's another one:

1Co 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 

So where does the "What If I'm Not Saved?" come in?  Well, I am reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon (a false teacher though, he believes there will be more people in Heaven than in Hell, contradicting Matthew 20:16 and the like), which reads:

"Have you no wish for others to be saved?  Then you are not saved yourself.  Be sure of that."

Is this Biblical?  I don't know.  Still, I answer the question from Mr. Spurgeon.  Do I wish others to be saved?  Of course!  I would love for people to see the light and experience the truth like I have.  There is hope in this godless world, and it is through knowing the Truth.

You know, as of this writing, perhaps that is what is missing in my evangelism, my own personal testimony.  I haven't really thought of it, but there is something that does give me joy (and sometimes excitement), as well as calm assurance, and that is the fact that I know the Truth, that I can access the Truth, and that the Truth will not lie to me.  In this instance, The Truth (who is Jesus Christ says John 14:6) is a little like Rick Astley to me, but not totally.  I was going to compare the chorus of "Never Gonna Give You Up" to what Jesus says, but a few problems:  Jesus (even through the disciples) can make you cry in this world:

Act 21:13  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 

Yet, the other lyrics ("Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you") sounds a lot like the following:

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

(and the like, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, Joshua 1:5, I Chronicles 28:20, etc.)

In other words, THE TRUTH WILL NOT LIE TO ME!!!  Mere men lie.  Jesus, who is the Bible (John 1:1, 1:14, I John 1:1, Revelation 19:13, etc.), who is the Truth (John 14:6), doesn't.

This is why:

Luk 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

So, something to think about.  A unique evangelism method.  May God lead me to spread the message of heart burning Truth.

Charles (CH) Spurgeon. “Do You Wish Others to Be Saved? – Charles Spurgeon | Deeper Christian Quotes.” Deeperchristianquotes.com, 2019, deeperchristianquotes.com/do-you-wish-others-to-be-saved-charles-spurgeon/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2024.

An Important Message Ahead of Pride Month

Pride Month is coming. The Bible warns against pride, homosexuality, and other sexual deviations. To all who fit this group, please read the following from Scripture itself. It can save your soul: Lev 18:22  Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.  Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Rom 1:18-32) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1Co 6:9-10) There is hope: Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.