The other day it happened again. I went to a funeral and after the family and others had said all kinds of nice things about the woman, the minister got up and told about his conversations with the woman about death and eternity. He wanted to assure us that the woman was ready to meet her Lord and that she was comfortable in her faith in the resurrection. Then he asked "Are you?" The old "used the funeral to push evangelism" trick. This minister was much smoother at it than others I have heard, but rough or smooth it is manipulative and offensive to me. Just give thanks for the deceased, trust her to the goodness of God and go home. Those in attendance will get the question if they are ready for it.
Jesus says we are to be ready to give a defense for the faith that is in us, but he does not say we are to push it on those who do not ask us about it.
1 comment:
When did sharing the Good News with eternal souls become a "trick" or "pushing"? It's not as if the minister was forcing anyone to convert, was it?
All Christ followers are called to share His Good News in some way, whether it is to a group of people or one person at a time. Sharing the Good News with someone at any time during this earthly life should not be offensive to those of us called to do so. We are called to be a vessels, being used by our GOD to offer His gift of salvation to all who will hear & believe, but "how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14) There should be a little bit of a preacher in each of us, especially concerning eternity.
Sir, you may find it offensive to share the Good News at a funeral, but I find refusing to do so to be quite offensive. On the other hand, what is so offensive about making sure the offer of salvation is available for anyone willing to listen, particular for anyone who may not have heard before? None of us can see the other person's heart, so why should be fail to use any opportunity to share the Gospel? Each one who hears what we share can decide for himself. That is not being pushy at all.
How valuable is an eternal soul anyway?
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