Many of you saw my post yesterday regarding the proposition for a hook up from a homeless man I had ministered to on Sunday afternoon. I'd like to explain my heart regarding those we come into contact with who may not fit into our life paradigm. So here goes...
God spoke to me a while back regarding people and projects. See I had a belief that if you weren't saved, or acting saved, I had a distinct responsibility to tell you about the depth of your need for Jesus. I felt that evangelism is projecting on you the wealth of knowledge I had about God's love for you. In this paradigm I subconsciously elevate myself to a place above those individuals I most want to help, and projected some sort of "blessed wisdom" that would magically turn their life around. God told me that these are all His children, and I was to treat them as such. They were not my project, or a life I was called to transform. They were people, and He knew them and their destiny before they were born as well. My job was to love them, not paint a target on their back and take my "Gospel Gun" and fire away. My job was to "be". TOO SIMPLE, right?
When I minister in Jesus name it is positional. I am representing Him. If I find the need to hurl his name then I really need to do a self check. I can minister, and see transformation by simply "Being" Jesus. He does, after all, live in me. My actions should do even more work than my words. This may include conversations with someone where salvation or God aren't even spoken of directly.... I just felt the proverbial oxygen leave the social media land... you may be saying "WHAT???? ARE YOU INSANE?? we have to seize every opportunity to convince people of their depravity, and need for a savior. After all the end is near they may not have time".
First, it is not me whom the salvation comes from. Second, the Holy Spirit is not given near enough credit. When He moves everyone listens. So my words could possibly just shut the very door I am wanting the Lord to open. How many people, who find themselves at the bottom, have never been told how wrong their lifestyle is, or how much God wants to clean them up? On the flip side, how many have been given a hug and a warm encouraging "I love you".. (notice the I was inserted intentionally in place of Jesus).. Yes of course Jesus loves them, but many times our automatic use of His name results in their mind assuming you don't love them. Remember Jesus said to GO preach the Kingdom. He said he was sending us the Holy Spirit and we were to act in POWER. He then gave all authority (as it was given to Him) to us to fulfill that charge to go and bring about a Kingdom He modeled. One where prostitutes got promoted into their destiny, where adulteresses were given a pass on execution. Where the "Least of them" became the pack in which He called friends.
Many things are changing in this season. The Kingdom is actually advancing, and the glory of the future is greater than the past. Along with this change is a change in what we call evangelism. See salvation and Christ is far better caught than taught.
Back to my homeless friend who asked to score some chemicals to cover his pain. I had a chance to sow seeds of destiny and purpose in him in the short encounter. An encounter that may have even looked offensive to some passerby. At points in the conversation he was literately closer than I would even embrace a brother, but he felt love. And he left thanking me for the much needed encouragement and love. He called, and I explained that I was the pastor he had met not the dealer. He hung up before I could even tell him I had something better, but I believe the seeds are planted. I believe he will call back, but if not others will be able to water those seeds. The Holy Spirit's got this. I did my evangelistic part.
I LOVED!!
be blessed
