HiddenMuestra

Confrontation or evangelization?

There are times when those we love (and those we struggle to love) simply don't have eyes to see God or ears to hear him. We have to accept that and realize that our personal peace is a fruit of welcoming God in our lives, not the fruit of others welcoming God in theirs. 

Coming to believe in and welcome God personally is more than an academic exercise we can walk someone through in a classroom. Nor is it something we can argue someone into. 

Faith certainly involves our intellect. However, it also involves our hearts, our souls and even coming to terms with what we have done in the past as well as what has been done to us in the past. Because a relationship with God involves one's entire being, a person can't be led into a relationship with God with an intellectual argument alone. Evangelization is, therefore, so much more than intellectual confrontation. In fact, Jesus told the Apostle Peter that visible flesh and bone did not lead Peter to faith in Jesus, but our unseen Father in Heaven did.

Remember, if someone can't see our way of thinking, they can see our lifestyle. Your lifestyle will likely say more about Jesus Christ than any words you ever speak. 

Remember also, that peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit not a fruit of others agreeing with you. If you think that other people agreeing with you will bring you peace, God may still have more to teach you about the role of his Holy Spirit in your life and his personal invitation to give your life fully to him.

Live for God. Accept his peace today. Then leave the rest to him. When he needs you to speak the truth, you will know. In fact, when people do have ears to hear the truth you may actually find that they will ask you to speak it to them!