Simple and direct

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,

because you know they produce quarrels (2 Timothy 2:23).

 

 

SIMPLE AND DIRECT

 

THE ROOM WAS DARK except for the flickering light from the emergency candle. My husband and I were sitting in our friend’s living room, waiting for the electricity to be turned back on by the power company. A thunderstorm still roared outside. But we were inside, dry, comfortable, and anticipating an hour or so of interesting conversation.

 

Our host set the tone when he asked, “What’s wrong with evolution? How do you know life didn’t begin that way?”

 

Before my husband could finish responding, our host changed the subject. “So,” he continued, settling down for another round of arguments, “how can you believe a book that has so many errors in it? How can you believe that everything in the Bible is true?”

 

That question led to more. I started to panic a little. Did our friend really want to know about Christianity, or did he just want to argue? I silently prayed for the Lord’s guidance, and the next thing I knew, the electricity came back on and our discussion ended.

 

Arguing with nonbelievers can be pointless, leading to hurt feelings and distrust rather than a better understanding of Jesus. Instead, Paul suggests that a gentle, simple focus on what God requires is one way to introduce the most important topic of anyone’s life: What will you do about Christ?

—Jane Stanford

 

Who do we need to tell about Jesus today?