Do you pray God will bring people across your path who need the Gospel? You should. God taught me today that I should, too.
We left Branson this morning to head back to Tulsa. We spent the first half of the day in the van, so I didn't cross any paths for sharing the Gospel. We unpacked and then had to get ready to head to Oklahoma City to pick up our two oldest boys, who were at a Child Evangelism Fellowship training. So, we were going to be in the van for the rest of the night.
Before leaving town for OKC, we had to stop and get gas. As I got out to put gas in the van, I asked the Lord to send someone across my path at some point today in order to fulfill my vow to share the Gospel with at least one person each day. He acted fast!
I turned around and an older man walked up to the other side of the pump from where I was standing. He had a gas can to fill up. I had a couple of million dollar bills left, so I pulled one out to start a conversation with him.
Me: The way gas prices are going back up, you're going to need a million dollars to pay for it (handing him a million dollar bill).
Joe: I've seen one of those. There was a guy on the news this week who was arrested for trying to pass one of these off at a bank, trying to get change.
Me: Wow. I didn't hear about that. This is definitely not real. It's actually a gospel tract. It's got the million dollar question on the back.
Joe: What's the question, am I saved or something?
Me: Will you go to heaven?
Joe: If you're a Christian, you believe in heaven or hell.
Me: Do you believe in heaven or hell?
Joe: I've never met anyone who's been to either place and come back again to tell me about it.
Me: I know someone who's been there and come back to tell about it?
Joe: Who, Jesus?
Me: That's right. He showed himself to over 500 witnesses, many of whom were still alive at the time that the gospels and Corinthians were written. If that claim were untrue, it could've been easily refuted but wasn't. That's pretty solid evidence.
Joe then began to go through a long list of all of the evils in the world that caused him to doubt whether there really is a God -- Rwanda, World Wars, the Holocaust, hypocrites among Christians, etc.
Joe: If I were God, I would've done something about all of these things.
Me: God did do something. He personally stepped down out of heaven and took upon himself the punishment for all of the evil and sin ever perpetrated in the world in order to suffer with and for us that we might be delivered from sin and evil. He is a righteous judge who will not allow evil to go unpunished. He will right all wrongs, and there will be no evil thought, word, or deed that will escape His righteous judgment except those that have been forgiven as a result of genuine repentance. No one cares more about the evil that's been done in the world than God Himself.
Joe: I guess I'm just a "doubting Thomas." I'm going to have to go. I've got some lawns to mow.
Me: It's OK to have questions. God cares about your questions and has answered them for you. The Bible has answers for you. What's your name?
Joe: Joe.
Me: Joe, you don't know if you have another day. Today could be your last day. Don't delay. The evidence and answers are there for you. Choose today to repent, turn from your sins back to God, and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior before it's too late.
Joe: I'm just a "doubting Thomas." I'm not denying Him or anything. (Hedging his bets). I just have my doubts. (Starting to walk away).
Me: Well, it's been good talking to you, Joe. I really do hope you'll repent and trust in Jesus Christ before it's too late! Have a great day, Joe!
Joe: Thanks. You too.
Joe's questions and concerns are very legitimate. How would you answer Joe's concerns about all of the evil and suffering? The points I quickly raised in our brief discussion are just a couple of the many, many great answers supplied by the Bible and the Christian world view. In fact, no worldview or religous philosophy answers the issue of evil and suffering like Christianity. For one great source, see Ravi Zacharias's book, Jesus Among Other Gods. See also the resources at http://www.equip.org/. For a short answer from Ravi, check out this youtube clip by CLICKING HERE.
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