Holy Roller or Holy Spirit

Where being born again and throwing a party mix!

Posted by Zane Hatch in Sinner! at 21:41 | Sunday, May 31. 2009 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

When somebody throws an f-bomb at you, do you run for cover or do you jump on top of it?

I was sitting here in a restaurant just doin’ my thing on the computer, learning how to make this website, when these two guys sit down beside me… launching f-bombs right and left and making comments about every woman they saw. At first I couldn’t believe my ears and was kinda ticked that they had invaded my space, just like a smoker who suddenly lights up next to you and doesn’t care about your air and possible allergies (nothing against nice smokers, just mean ones). And then I remembered a statement that I made to a coworker a few days ago that really surprised him ~ “I’d rather hang out with you than a bunch of holy rollin’ judgemental hypocrites anyday.” This is a man that rarely goes to church, seems like he’s constantly angry, and drops a cuss word into every sentence as if he couldn’t possibly be understood without it. It’s taken a few months but I think he’s beginning to realize that I accept him exactly how he is and I’m not a “typical” Christian trying to beat him up by shoving him into a box… and making him change (as he has hinted to in our conversations). These people are rebelling from something and they have a wild side to them. There is something deep that is wrong but they were also created by our God with this wild side! Now I’m not saying that the wild side as it is is supposed to remain exactly as it is! But GOD CHANGES THE HEART IN HIS TIME & IN HIS WAYS. Our job is to LOVE, period. The change happens from the inside out, not the other way around… and it’s a work of the Holy Spirit, not the holy roller.

So I started talking to the two men…

Be honest, do you feel uncomfortable around people who cuss and are rude? Do you see them as a challenge? Do you feel you have a sense of responsibilty to say something? Or do even consider it fun to just talk to them and love them like Jesus does?

Toss your cookies…

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Hi Zane!

Interesting topic! Here’s the challenge you’d run into in this situation: How do you react to said cuss-bomb droppers in such a way that honors God, loves them, yet doesn’t leave them with the impression that you approve of their behavior?

You mentioned that they’re rebelling against something. If we look at scripture, we know that they are—in fact—rebelling against God. We are created in the image of God, yet spiritually dead because of the sin of Adam and because of our choice to do nothing but kick against Him.

The cure? The gospel of Jesus Christ—that God in His love sent Himself to earth as a man to take the wrath of God against sinners upon Himself. This is the message that God promises has the power to regenerate a sinner’s heart and save His soul! This is the message that Jesus calls us to proclaim to the lost (Mark 16:15). We must explain to them their need to be saved, and beg them to repent and trust in Christ.

I agree with you—we cannot change people. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). I cannot, however, think of a better way to love the lost than to clearly share this amazing truth with them. I

The challenge comes in realizing that this is a message that unfortunately most of the world will reject and despise, since it calls for them to come to grips with their desperate condition before God. I also think it’s important to continue to show kindness and humility even if they hate the message of the gospel and/or hate you in return.

So, are we ready to accept whatever scorn or persecution that sharing the gospel may involve? Personally speaking, reaching out in love to the lost with this message is a very frightening yet extremely rewarding thing I can do as a Christian. We won’t get to do it in heaven either.

--Mike

(p.s. – just to clarify: I am not attempting to instruct you here, per se. I am hashing out this stuff for the benefit of other unknown readers of your blog)

#1 Mike (Homepage) on 2009-06-05 05:28 (Reply)

Beautiful! Mike - honestly, everything you said is right on and thank you so much for your comments (which just isn't powerful enough word here!)... I really didn't want to hash it out and rob others of doing so (and maybe I shouldn't be saying anything yet) - I intentionally left out a lot of what I wanted to say, primarily the conversation that I in fact had with the two men, but you covered everything perfectly! And thank you so much for caring about those who may read this blog - your contribution is in fact more important than mine!!!
Thanks again Mike and I look forward to meeting you someday in your new church and hopefully we'll have a chance to love on some peeps crosstown!

#1.1 Zane on 2009-06-05 06:18 (Reply)

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