Conversations

Because Christ lives in us, He will give us the boldness to proclaim His truth, recognizing His Word will not return void. In 2nd Timothy 4, Paul challenges Timothy:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

This passage has these phrases bookeneded: "Preach the word!" in verse 2 and "fulfill your ministry" in verse 5.  We do not belong to this world, but we have been given a mission to reach the world with the gospel of Christ.  We've been entrusted with the gospel and empowered to share it in a way that will reach hearts and be used in bringing about life change.  God has called us to be faithful - to plant seeds, and to be part of the harvest of souls coming to Christ.

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In Colossians chapter 4, the apostle Paul addressed the importance of communicating God's truth, as well as the way it should be shared. We can read these words:
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Earlier this week, I was sharing about a young man who loves Jesus and wants to tell others about Him, who had shown up at an event, as it was reported at The Daily Wire website, "to preach and start conversations about God’s design for human sexuality."  After a subsequent event, at which he was detained by law enforcement, according to the Sentinel website, he said, "I’d do it all over again if it gives me an opportunity to share the good news and rescue innocent children being sexualized by their parents."

So, he and his peers were apparently dedicated to starting "conversations."  That word stuck out to me as I related this young man's story.  Because, as it's been pointed out, starting a "gospel conversation" can result in seeds being planted and hearts being changed.

The Barna Group reports on one of it surveys:

Relationships between Christians and people of no faith are fairly common—and they often involve talking about Jesus. In fact, 65 percent of people of no faith personally know someone who follows Jesus, and 45 percent say such a peer has talked with them about their Christian faith.

Interestingly enough, the Barna researchers asked an interesting question: "What do people of no faith hope these spiritual conversations look like?"  The survey summary stated:

In our survey, responses are clear: The top thing people look for in a conversation with a Christian is that they “listen without judgment.” People of no faith are also hoping for honesty about questions and doubts, and they don’t want forced conclusions. The best learning environment, they express, is one marked by care and consideration.

39% of those who have "no faith" shared what was characterized as the top answer. But, as you look at the survey results, you see threads of honesty, lack of coercion, and care. 

These responses remind us that spiritual conversations can’t be divorced from the relationships in which they can occur. When they go poorly or are simply ineffective, it may not only limit curiosity about Jesus but also hinder connection between the individuals.

Given these insights, the task becomes helping Christians learn how to build relationships and have conversations that honor these values and create spaces where there is mutual care, respect and authenticity.

These survey results certainly can reinforce the notion that not only is it what you say regarding your relationship with Jesus, but how you say it.  I will sometimes link the words conviction and compassion.  Certainly the Word will not return void, no matter what the packaging, and we are called to be seed-planters.  But, perhaps the Word can be sown in a more compelling way, spoken, as Ephesians 4 relates, "with love." We have to make sure that we are so motivated by love for others and a desire to see them come to know Christ, that our love and concern radiates through our words and demeanor.

And, one of the elements that we should incorporate in our approach to others is the ability to listen.  In the aftermath of a spiritual conversation, 36% of respondents said they "felt cared for." 28% said they felt "heard."  But, 25% said they felt "unheard."  We can be so intent on getting our message across that we talk past another person.  We can develop a greater sense of empathy by listening to what someone is saying and relying on the Holy Spirit to be able to say just the right words that will communicate effectively in response.  In a world seeking answers, if we are obedient to the Lord and reliant on His Spirit, we can see God use us in tremendous ways.