This week I had the opportunity to talk to a non-Christian who is disillusioned by "church people." He told a story about his friend who yells at him, tells him that he is a sinner and he needs to repent. While all of this is true, and this tactic may work in some contexts, this obviously is not an effective method for winning this particular young man to Christ.

This conversation got me to thinking about all the different "methods" we use to bring people to Christ. We tell them the ABC, the 123, The Way of The Master, the scare tactics with promises of damnation without repentance, promises that life will be great, hope of heaven.. the list goes on.

I am so glad that as Christians we have sought out effective ways to share our faith. I'm so glad that people spend time and money on teaching these methods and putting the to practice. The truth needs to be heard.

The encounter I had with this non-Christian this past week brought me back to the passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 where Paul was telling the Corinthians that he came to them without eloquence, but only proclaimed to them the testimony about God. Verse 2 says "For I resolved to know nothing when I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

This might be a controversial thing to say, and I'm not sure exactly what words to use to express how I feel... Nonetheless, I think sometimes, even in our good intentions with sharing the gospel, we still somehow manage to make it about us. We think "whatever I say is going to change this person's perception of me," or "Will I have the right words to say?" We concentrate on our training in this method of faith sharing, and we don't trust the power of the holy spirit at work in people's lives. The truth is, if the Holy Spirit is not with us, if this isn't a divine appointment set forth by God, then yelling someone into Heaven is never going to work. This is where making disciples comes into play. Conversion is not our calling, making disciples is.

Matthew 28:19 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 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV)

I still feel at a loss for the right words, but I hope you can understand what I'm saying.

What is it going to take for us to start living our lives as if Jesus died for us? As if someone made the ultimate sacrifice for us? What is it going to take to make me stop thinking about myself alllll the time?