How Much?

I recently posted a video of Penn, of Penn and Teller fame, that shows him retelling a story of a guys efforts to share Christ with him. It was honest and because of that it was powerful. Some things I think we can learn from this video.

1. It is not about results.
   • Penn was obviously moved by this encounter of a man sharing a Bible with him. BUT what moved him was the courage, the sincerity, and level headed nature of the person who was “proselytizing.” It may take hundred or thousands of like encounters before this man would ever give his life to follow Christ. Then again, he may never…as he says, “I don’t believe in God.”
2. Be a nice person.
   • One of the more profound statements Penn makes (one of them) is that the guy felt genuine and not forced or wacky. He was sane and well intentioned. Several things I could mention here but the most critical is “be yourself” and don’t worry about following  as set of rules or steps. Just explain what you did and why you did the things that changed your life for Christ. That is the power of testimony.
     • As a side note the more you study the less forced you will appear. Talk with everyone about your story. Say it over and over again and with time the more you say it the less you will be inclined to feel rehearsed and scripted.
3. Consider your motives.
   • we all have motives. The fact that sharing our faith with those who don’t know or even like Christ has eternal consequences should be a motivating factor. Penn makes a statement in his video that is enough to leave you feeling “run over” like a stray dog on the freeway. Here is what he said,

How much do you have to hate someone not to proseletyze them?

When the unbelieveing world understands our motivations more than we do…there are problems. The gospel of John reminds us that Jesus was God’s path to redemption and that Jesus is the epitome of love expressed. Romans would suggest in many places that our own lives were cared for even while we were still sinners. A sinning world is in great need of hearing the truth that Christ died to forgive them of their sins. The simplicity of Penn’s statement leads me to understand that the unbeleiving world believes our motivations are jacked up when we don’t share out of a genuine care and concern. In fact, they interpret it as hatred. That was not Jesus mission. He came to serve people and the greatest act of service is sharing THE way, THE truth, and THE life with them…the cponsequences for not doing that:

1. They may never hear about Jesus.
2. We miss our greatest calling.
3. They feel as though we hate them for not doing it.

This is having major implications in my life right now. How will this affect you? Will it affect you? Do you disagree?