philosophical Thoughts, Life Advice, and Unpopular Opinions

This is Gonna Hurt...

If you're a follower of Christ and ever tried to witness to an unbeliever, chances are you've been met with hate. Lots of hate and anger. If you're like me, you may have asked yourself "why am I getting so much hate? I'm not being mean or judgmental! What am I doing wrong then!? I just said 'Jesus loves you' and I got spat on!" I've been thinking a lot about this. I can conclude it is not necessarily you as a person they hate, but the message you bring and what you represent. If you were bringing a different message, they would not give such an adverse reaction. I've put myself in an unbeliever's shoes. Would I be very welcoming to the message that I am a sinner and I'm destined for hell if I don't repent? Would I be very happy to hear that I need to give up the worldly pleasures I indulge in? Would I be very glad to hear that all my human wisdom and understanding will never be able to fully answer all the mysteries of this God I can't even see? Of course not! You see, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the truth is painful. Even if it saves lives, it still hurts a lot. Can you blame them for running away from something that's painful? We all do it! I mean, if someone came in with a huge syringe and said "The medicine in here will save your life, but I guarantee this is gonna hurt immensely." Would you be thrilled? Probably not. And what's worse, we chase unbelievers around with this needle in our hand! Yeah, I'd be running for my life too! I myself am guilty of running around like a psychotic nurse with this needle chasing unbelievers around. And what do many unbelievers say to protect themselves? They hide behind the "I believe in logic/ science and there's no proof" thing. I'll be the first to tell you that it's not logic or evidence that's the problem, it's pride that keeps them from accepting the evidence there is that our message is true. Pride blinds us from the truth (that painful truth is that we are ALL sinners and since sin can not enter heaven, we can't enter heaven with our sin, and are destined for hell. However, the good truth also is that God loves us so much, he sent his own son to die for our sins, canceling the debt we owed and we all can receive his salvation and spend eternity with him in paradise because he wants us all to be in his abundant love forever).

 Even unbelievers know that pride blinds us from the truth, even if they deny it. And they also can't deny that swallowing their pride would be a bitter, painful experience. It's scary and painful to give up pride. Understand this the next time you talk to an unbeliever about Christ. 

I also know how much it hurts when you want nothing more than to save these lives, but they don't want to go through the painful treatment that would save their lives. Our hearts break because we know full well how much the truth hurts at first, but we also know that after the pain, you feel so much better. We know that it ends so well for us who went through the treatment of repentance and salvation. All we can do is pray that God will comfort them and give them the courage and strength to allow their pride to be ripped away from them, and we need to remember that our message is painful and frightening at first, but it ends in grace, joy, peace, and abundant life. 

                                 I love you all, and may God's grace and peace be with you!