Devils on His Arms, God Knocking on His Heart.

Steve had an angry look on his face.  Definitely not inviting.  His friend, J.C., just stood there.  As I walked closer to say hello, Steve took a final drag on his cigarette.  That's when I noticed the devil tattoos all over his arms.  I said hello warmly to them and shook their hands.  I introduced myself and learned their names.  They sized me up with suspicious looks.

I handed them both a gospel tract and asked if they had church backgrounds. Steve declared he didn't want my "propaganda."  He had been to bible college and wasn't interested in what I had to say.  He didn't believe in God.  I turned to JC and asked if he believed.  JC hesitated.  Steve jumped in:  "You can't prove there is a God, because you can't see him!"

That's not true, I responded softly but with certainty.  I pointed to the four story building next to us and asked if he believed the building had a builder?  He didn't say anything, the implication being obvious.  I followed up--just as it would be foolish to conclude the building had no builder simply because you can't see the builder, it is also contrary to common sense and would be foolish to conclude the universe, the earth, and each of us--though we are vastly more complex in design and construction--did not have a creator just because we can't see Him.  Steve had no answer for the obvious--that nothing simply cannot create everything.

I explained to Steve and JC that the bible declares we will stand before God in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 9:27).  JC admitted if judged according to God's law, the 10 Commandments, he would be found guilty of breaking them countless times.  He was not concerned, though, that if he died today he might spend eternity in hell.

I described hell for him using the words Jesus used and asked if he knew why Jesus warned people so graphically about "hell fire" (Matt. 5).  He did not know.  I explained Jesus told the full truth because he is The Truth (John 14:6), and he wants people to know The Way to have The Life--eternal life with him (John 14:6).  He told people the truth about hell because he loves us so much and doesn't want us to spend eternity there.  I emphasized that God proved his great and immeasurable love for us by dying on the cross for our sins so we don't have to, the just for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18).

I urged Steve and JC to repent and trust Christ and follow him with their lives before it's too late (Mk. 1:15; Luke 24:47; John 3:3-16, 36).  I pray they did.