Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
Acts 26:28
Paul almost persuaded King Agrippa to become a Christian. We want our family and friends to become Christians, do we not? We began yesterday considering some goals when talking about the Lord. Yesterday the first goal was to be accurate with the gospel. If they “believe,” but in an incorrect gospel, it will not result in salvation. If you did not read yesterday’s blog, may I encourage you to do so now?
The second goal is to be loving. This should be obvious, but let’s be reminded of a few components of being loving when talking to people about the Lord.
Why do we need to be loving? Because as God’s motive in sending His only Begotten Son into the word to save us was love (John 3:16), we too must be motivated by love when telling others about Christ. What motives are not loving (and therefore incorrect)? The desire to simply win another soul to the Lord (as if we are keeping score). The desire to win an argument (sounds like pride to me). You maybe able to think of other incorrect motives, but I believe you get the point.
Just don’t miss that as God is loving, we are to be loving—especially when talking to people about the Lord.
Why do we need to be loving? Because people tend to be more open and to respond favorably when we are loving. It is important that folks know you are telling them about the Lord because you genuinely care about them. I have learned much about talking to people about the Lord from my friend, Dave. He is great at this. One thing I frequently hear Dave say to people is, “I’m telling you this because I care about you.” Saying this encourages folks to listen because you care. And it reminds us to be loving. (Thanks, Dave!)
I know it is a somewhat corny saying, but it is true: “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!”
One last point about being loving: it is not loving to withhold the bad news of our sin when speaking to people about the Lord. A good doctor has to tell a patient the bad news of his or her malady before the doctor can tell the patient the good news of the cure. Likewise, we must not shy away from speaking about sin or else there is no point in speaking about the one and only cure for sinners, which is Christ and the gospel. We can be kind with our words while “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
So when we talk to people about the Lord, let us strive to be accurate and loving.
Next time: Striving to be persuasive.