Some Will, Some Won't

When you share your faith story with someone or invite someone to church, different people will respond in different ways. Jesus told us this in Mark 4:1-20. He taught us there are four basic responses people have when we talk to them about Jesus or invite them to church or try to win them over by the life we live, etc.

1. Some are closed-minded and will not even listen to you.
2. Some are impulsive, but not really committed. They show initial interest but it quickly fades away.
3. Some are preoccupied. These people have so much going on in their lives they have no room for Jesus.
4. But others will happily receive Jesus.

I put a sticky note on my office wall today. It says something like this on it: God, as I go out each day attempting to share your message of love and hope and reconciliation, help me to run into those people who are going to be receptive.

We can sometimes get discouraged as Christians when people reject the good news (that there is peace with God through the forgiveness of sins that Jesus offers) we try to share and this can lead us to give up and stop talking with others about Jesus and stop inviting others to church. Heck, no one likes to get rejected. But don’t forget that Jesus told us ahead of time that some won’t receive what we have to offer...BUT OTHERS WILL! The good news is that while some won’t receive, others WILL RECEIVE. And we’ve got to keep on talking about Jesus and inviting people to church for the sake of those who WILL receive what we have to say.

The major point of this story is not that most people will not accept Jesus. The point is that some will. So keep on spreading the good news through word of deed! And then trust God for the results!

I’m going to do it. Will you do it with me?

Have you shared your faith with anyone lately? How did they respond? Have you invited anyone to church lately? How did they respond. Drop me a line and let me know.