Just Start Being a Friend to Sinners

Pastor Randy Corbin, Transitional Lead Pastor

Evangelizing our neighbors or our townspeople is just too overwhelming for me. 

I have tried various confrontational methods and I have rarely gotten anywhere.  I have used tracts, the four spiritual laws, and the two questions and on a few occasions it resulted in some prolonged discussions but normally I did not get far. 

Yes, I did see a few who prayed with me but the vast majority shut me down and wanted to get rid of me as quickly as I have visiting cultists.

So, I have decided to give less energy to theological argumentation and debate and more to working harder as living as Christ would in front of others.  That has been just as challenging but a lot more productive in building bridges into the lives of others.

I have a feeling that it was not always Jesus’ message that initially drew people to Him.  It was just Him – His face, the softness in His voice, the tenderness he showed to the children, how He laughed, and how He lived. 

Jesus never seemed rushed.  He stopped to care and converse with people.  He engaged them in conversation and did what He could to make their burdens light.  It caught the attention of people.

Instead of looking so hard for holes in which I can give a mini-sermon to lost people, I have given more attention to simply working to be their friend.  That has required time and effort. 

In my neighborhood, I have gone to the mail box when I didn’t need to because I saw a neighbor there.  I have slowed my walk into my house because I saw another neighbor walking her dog on the street.

In the marketplace, I have initiated conversations with complete strangers in a checkout line.  I have watched for times when I can stop to give a helping hand to someone.  All this is new to me who has always been so task focused.

The result is that I am learning personal stories, giving me opportunities to tell people I will pray for them and to bring Jesus into the conversation.

This is a slow process but it is encouraging to see some traction toward the clear sharing of our faith with a receptivity we haven’t yet seen before.

And, it has all started with taking the time (we often haven’t had) to stop and to extend ourselves into the lives of others, just learning to be a friend to sinners.

Linda and I are still novices on this path but the response we see so far is better than we have seen in years.

Lord, give us Your compassion and eyes to see how we can step into the lives of others and in a context of simply being a friend to sinners, to share the Good News of Jesus!