Not Everyone Deserves An Answer

In the quiet of the morning, just after I awaken, I like to lay in my bed praying and listening to the lead of the Holy Spirit. I often get ideas for what to post next on this blog. Whether it is because of certain events of the past day or a chance encounter with a person at the grocery store; the next morning is when the scripture verses that I am being led to share typically come pouring into my mind. This morning, that didn't happen. Something different did.

Yesterday morning, I had a great phone conversation with my new friend and sister in Christ, Susan Smith. She is a fabulous person who is on fire for the Lord Jesus. She is involved with a ministry called, "Bridges for Peace" located in the Holy Land of Jerusalem. We met while blogging on the internet. Our comments shared between each other here and our conversations on the phone have truly been a blessing for both of us.

During our talk yesterday, she told me, "Christine, you never give up do you." I asked her what she meant by that. She mentioned (paraphrased here) that I have the good intention of continuing to share the gospel of Christ through my posts here, but that certain people are just never going to listen.

She probably didn't even know how prophetic that comment would become for me. At the time, I didn't even realize how important it was for me to hear that.

I thought a lot about her words of wisdom throughout the day. I thought of the people who come here to challenge what is being shared in my blog posts. I thought about the scripture that tells us to "give an answer to everyone for the hope that is in you." I thought about how Susan often has told me that sometimes being silent is best.

In previous posts at this blog, I have mentioned and written about Christian apologist Greg Koukl. He was the man who debated with Deepak Chopra on the "Faith Under Fire" show. You can read a bit about that encounter in my post called, "Hostility Towards Christian Faith".

I remember sharing a bit about Greg in my phone conversation with Susan. I mentioned a few details about his ministry and that he has a great website.

This morning, I opened the mail which had been sitting on the counter since yesterday afternoon. The first piece I chose to open was a newsletter from Greg Koukl's "Stand to Reason" ministry. The message of that newsletter was precisely what my friend Susan had been telling me!

I thought, wow! This is my blog message for the day.

Here is Greg's message:

*******

Dear Christine,

Not everyone deserves an answer.

I know this sounds odd, coming from me. Characteristically, an ambassador is on the ready, alert for chances to represent Christ, not backing away from a challenge or an opportunity. It's part of STR's Ambassadors Creed.

Sometimes, though, the wisest course of action may be to step away and bow out graciously. Not every challenge merits a response.

Jesus warned, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine" (Matthew 7;6). Case in point, Jesus was amazingly tight-lipped before Pilate (John 19:9). At times He was also very evasive with religious leaders intent on tricking Him (Matthew 21:27).

Knowing when to step back requires the ability to separate the hogs and the dogs from the lost sheep looking for a shepherd.

But how do we know when someone's crossed the line, when a moment of truth is about to become a mountain of trouble? When do we have an obligation to speak, and when should we save our pearls for another time?

Part of the answer can be found in Jesus' next words: "...lest they trample [the pearls] under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

You should not be generous with the truth when you encounter someone who shows utter contempt for the precious gift being offered him. He will simply trample it in the mud and then viciously turn on you.

If you sense someone pawing the turf and readying for a charge, it may be time to leave. Don't waste your efforts with people like this. There's plenty of ripe fruit waiting to be harvested. Save your energy for more productive encounters.

When I was a young Christian, the wife of my mentor gave me some solid advice from John 10. In this chapter Jesus uses a "figure of speech" (verse 6) to describe the work of the Holy Spirit drawing someone to Christ. "My sheep hear My voice," Jesus said. "I know them, and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish" (John 10:27-28).

This has very practical application for evangelism.

"When I share my faith, " Kathy told me, "I pay attention to how the 'sheep' respond. Most will keep on eating grass. But once in a while you'll notice that some lift their heads. There is a moment of recognition as they 'hear' the Shepherd's 'voice.' "

Kathy understood that it was Jesus' job to change the heart. Since she was confident the Holy Spirit was going before her, she was simply looking for the people who were looking for her, so to speak. She was looking for those already hungry for the Gospel. She left the rest alone.

Of course, there are times when we find ourselves in a Jeremiah situation, being faithful to speak the truth even though it falls on deaf ears. But those occasions are not the rule. Usually, wisdom dictates we ration our efforts.

There is an exception to this principle, however.

I've learned from radio that sometimes my real audience is not the one I'm talking to, but the one listening in, eavesdropping on the conversation. This happens all the time. A word spoken to a hardened heart bounces off and hits a soft one. Lee Strobel call this "ricochet evangelism."

The enterprise is rarely smooth and tidy, though. When you encounter abuse, don't take it personally. It's not about you; it's about Christ. When you falter, don't get discouraged. It's a process. I get caught flat-footed, too. It's a chance to learn for the next time around.

The principle? Make the best of the opportunities you have, then trust the Holy Spirit to be the witnessing partner who makes the difference. You do your part, then let God do His.

And I have every confidence your trust in the Lord and your faithfulness as an ambassador will continue, because you're not one of those who kept on "eating grass." Instead, you "lifted your head" from the crowd to be counted among God's own.

(end of letter)

*******
Thank you Susan. Thank you Greg. I needed to hear that.

My blog exists for the sheep.

My blog exists for those who are willing to "lift up their heads" instead of those who would only keep on "eating grass".

My blog exists for "ricochet evangelism" (loved that analogy).

My blog exists to help "guard the treasure" that Christ has entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:14).

Christine