People aren't argued into salvation, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be informed and educated. It also doesn't mean you can't have healthy , vibrant discussions or debates. Just keep in mind that (ultimately) it's God's sovereign power, truth, and love that changes a life. Above all, focus on being an expert in His truth and love. Allow God's Holy Spirit to do the internal arguing and convincing for you.
Bottom line: We depend on the supernatural work of God, not on our persuasive abilities. Bobby Conway
About three weeks ago I was on a plane heading to Illinois to be with my mother who was dying so my heart was heavy. I did not pray, God give me a good seat mate, someone I can talk Jesus with for I was in no shape to really talk to anyone.
About three weeks ago I was on a plane heading to Illinois to be with my mother who was dying so my heart was heavy. I did not pray, God give me a good seat mate, someone I can talk Jesus with for I was in no shape to really talk to anyone.
Even before we took off the man sitting next to me started the usual conversation one has on a plane when forced to sit close to someone you don't know. Are you from California? Why are you going to St. Louis? Then, I ask the man, why are you going to St. Louis? What he told me was so interesting I had to ask more questions and soon we begin to get past the first level of getting to know a perfect stranger. I don't even know when the conversation turned to spiritual things but it did turn. His interest in science was impressive, especially as he explained how scientist are studying "life after death" , and they don't have an answer yet. But they are sure there is something out there. The fact they are seeking impressed me, God loves seekers, the wise men were seekers, all who went to hear Jesus speak were seekers. The man I sat next to was a seeker.
I am several weeks away from that plane encounter and having time now to look into some articles on why science is seeking life after death. Today I ran across an article by John Lennox, an Oxford mathematician, a scientist, a Christian. He was debating this topic:
Can Faith and Science Coexist?
"THE MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGIBILITY OF NATURE IS EVIDENCE FOR A RATIONAL SPIRIT BEHIND THE UNIVERSE." JOHN LENNox
First, I was amazed that I could grasped some of what Lennox was saying in this debate, his vocabulary is enormous. Second, I am thrilled to know there are Christians involved in the lives of other scientist.
I probably will never see that gentleman I met again, but our conversation sparked an interest to seek out information into what does scientist believe about God and the here after? Here is the bottom line, I want to be able to discuss difference between beliefs and come away from it knowing I was able to honor God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my words. I do not have to prove anything to anybody, I just have to give out truth in love, and leave the rest to God. Not one thing the man said made me doubt my faith in God or believing Jesus is the only way. "There is something there" and I know who it is, I know the one who created whats out there. And in some ways it gave comfort in a time when my heart was heavy knowing I was facing seeing my mother leave this earth. I stepped into her nursing home room ready to be there for her because God was there for me.
In this debate John Lennox was defending his belief in God over the deep issue of suffering on this earth from a Christian perspective and I love his answer.
Is there anywhere evidence of the existence of a God whom I can trust with this deep issue? Yes. At the heart of Christianity there is a cross. The central claim of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is God incarnate – which raises the question: what is God doing on a cross? At the very least that shows me that God has not remained distant from human suffering but has become part of it. Furthermore, Christ rose from the dead, which is a guarantee that there is to be a future judgement. This is a marvelous hope, because it means that our conscience is not an illusion, and those who terrorize, abuse, exploit, defame and cause their fellow humans untold suffering will not get away with it. Atheism has no such hope--for it ultimate justice is an illusion.
Wish he had been on that plane and part of the conversation I had. But God took this heavy hearted simple women and gave her the privilege of talking Jesus with someone. You know I am praying for this man...he said, I gave him some things to think about.
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