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You Have Faith; I have Deeds
The last time I posted I asked you guys a question, I asked “how can I be missional while I am attending college?” I received two, yes count them two responses. One was as follows:
“do work son”
While this was a response, and technically it is a missional attitude, it was also pretty vague. The second response however was really helpful:
I would say to start asking good questions to people that God keeps in your path. Questions like “What is a passion of yours? What motivates you? What is your ultimate career choice? What was a great time in your life?” lets the person talk about themselves and shows you are actually interested in their answers. I am surprised how many people never get to talk about themselves in a meaningful way. Then ask questions that not only help them become closer to Jesus, but questions that also help you learn from them and helps you be a better Christ-follower. Example: “What is wrong with the church today? What is something that needs to be done in the world? What world religion do you admire the most? Where do you see God working in society?”. Each of these are launching pads for more in-depth convos where Jesus can be wove into the fabric. Questions carry weight, my friend.
Questions do so many things for you and the person you are asking. First, like stated in the comment, it helps the person you are asking know that you are truly interested in them. It shows that you did not make them a project, you are not there to beat them over the head with the Bible. You are on their turf and they feel less threatened. And it helps you get to know them, you develop a genuine relationship with them, no strings attached. The questions that you ask and when you ask them are important as well. You don’t want to start off your relationship with someone with questions like, “So, what do you think about Jesus?” That, my friends, is a turn off. But if you ask questions like, “What are some classes you are taking”, or “what’s your major?” this opens the door for a real non-threatening, two way conversation.
Conversation is the key to any relationship, it builds trust and comfort. If you are the only on talking it pins the other person down in a way. It’s all about you. Let them talk, let them set the grounds for what is on or off limits. This type of conversation and topic of conversation might be as far as you get with the person for quite a while. We can’t rush into the next level, spiritual issues.
We as Christians love to talk about God, we could do it all day long, but today’s culture isn’t like that at all. God is a very uncomfortable subject. It’s associated with hypocrisy and judgmental people. No one likes to be judged so they stay away from situations that may lead to that. That’s why you almost need to let them bring up the topic. If they bring it up they are no longer on the defensive side, they are in control. This is when we need to be the most humble as well. They may say things about past experiences with Christianity that will make us want to scream and say well that’s not real Christianity, well to them it is. We can’t change their past, or their real experiences. What we can do is show them the real unconditional love of God. Let them know what you believe by telling them, but most importantly, show them what you believe. This will overshadow any negative experiences they may have had, maybe not right away, but eventually it will.
James 2:14-20
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
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Nick,
I hadn’t been on my blog or anyones blog for a little while now. You can be missional at school! What a better place to be. A bunch of people who are looking for God at school! You are very lucky to be where you are. I pray that God uses you to spread his joy and love. I also pray that God uses you and you except the challenge.
Thank you Lacey!
good stuff.
now, lets DO WORK