Well, this morning two Jehovah's Witnesses came a' knockin' at my door! In the apartment complex that I live in they come around a lot - but usually they speak Spanish and are looking for Spanish speaking people - that's not me. I drive for DHL and on my route I frequently see JW's going door to door - but I am working and can't talk to them. What I am saying is that contrary to the stereo-types, I actually don't get "bothered" by them much - and I wish that I did!
When I was younger, (back when I thought I was saved but really wasn't) I did quite a bit of study on the JW's - and Mormonism, but that's another post. I learned quite a bit about what they believed, and what their specific errors are (trust me, there are a LOT of errors!) but I was really just looking to show off about how much I knew, and I always kind of enjoyed confrontations.... especially when I felt like I was at such an advantage, like I said - the errors are PLENTIFUL, winning and argument with a JW or Mormon is really pretty easy. I was basically just a theological/intellectual bully. I didn't really care about these people - I just wanted to win an argument.
Now, I am saved. I do care about these people. It kills me to see them walk by while I am on my route. I hate that I don't speak Spanish. I want them to talk to me. So I was ecstatic when they knocked on my door this morning. This would be literally the second time since I have been saved that God let me talk to a JW - the second time in a little over 3 years!
Now, remember - I still know all the stuff about what they believe, I know a lot about the errors in their belief system - I know that they are wrong. More importantly, I know about the truth - I know what the Bible says, I know the true Gospel that these people so desperately need - I am basically well equipped for this encounter.... and I knew it! But I was soooooo nervous!
I didn't want to "win an argument" - and I certainly didn't want to say anything to make them just walk away. My heart was pounding - my mouth was dry - I was kind of freaking out.
But I remembered something else. See, I have been studying Romans. Studying it VERY in depth. After about 2 months I am up to verse 14. Of chapter 1! One of the things that I noticed right away about Romans is how fast Paul starts talking about the Gospel: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" Romans 1:1 (ESV). Bam! Right off the bat Paul is talking about what really matters. The only thing that matters!
These nice ladies actually wanted to talk to me about global warming - something I am totally unconcerned with (and pretty tired of hearing about) - and I was freaking out inside trying to figure out what talk to them about - I knew global warming was a waste of time.... so I said a quick silent prayer and suddenly remembered Romans 1:1. "Get to the point" I thought. So I did. They didn't get upset, they didn't leave. It went very well. We didn't get all that far because they are on something of a schedule - but they asked me if they could come back next week. Of course I said yes... guess what we are going to talk about?
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)
So my point is, when you get a chance to talk to someone - don't waste time. You need to be talking about what really matters. Get to the point!
Thanks for readin!
Rob
3 comments:
Hi, I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I'm happy to hear that you are concerned enough about us to witness your faith. Generally, I think most of us would respond well to such a sincere gesture.
Is there a particular set of issues that we believe that you object to? I'd be interested to hear what you have to say.
Thanks,
TJ
TJ - I am new to blogging here (I messed with it a little a while back, but nothing serious) so I may have missed it... but I don't see your email address, so I hope you check back here and see this reply to your comment.
You present a different situation then that of the Witnesses at my door - in that we can't have a face to face conversation. And I think if we're both honest we would agree that it is unlikely that we would be able to convince each other that we believe the wrong thing.
So with that understanding, I think I would very much enjoy a friendly and respectful email exchange with you so we can discuss/debate certain objections we may have (I know I have several). I am NOT interested in an argument, and while I realize that these discussions can get heated - I am not interested in getting heated on purpose, and would want to try to avoid the "heated" parts whenever possible.
So if that sounds like something you are interested in - my email address is supahrob@gmail.com
Take care,
Rob
Thanks Rob, I sent you an email.
TJ
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