Christian author/speaker Dave Burchett has a heart for evangelism. Yet he is rightly concerned about the damaging effects of what he calls “sledge-hammer tactics.” As such he has developed The Unbelievers Bill of Rights:
• I have the right to never have faith forced on me.
• I have the right to never be treated in a condescending manner.
• I have the right to always hear the truth.
• I have the right for you to patiently hear my concerns and doubts.
• I have the right to seek answers to those questions and doubts that you can’t answer.
• I have the right to be steered to resources for my own study and investigation.
• I have the right to be loved no matter how I respond to the gospel message.
Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and “Bring’em Back Alive – A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church.”
"I cannot 'convert' anyone to Christian faith," remarks Burchett, "That is God’s job. … I do have a job. Actually it is a command that Jesus gave in Matthew."
Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40, The Message).
"Frankly we have too often lost track of these simple yet powerful commands:"
When we love others sacrificially the message of Christ becomes inviting…not proselytizing. A Christian who is truly living by those commands is a powerful spokesperson. Saint Francis of Assisi wonderfully observed that we should ‘preach the gospel at all times…if necessary, use words.’ Do you see the power of letting the gospel message flow out of our actions? Authenticity is what a hurting world finds attractive. …"
Not “sledge-hammer” tactics.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
There’s an old story about the 20th century violin virtuoso, Fritz Kreisler. It animates an important point.
Setting out from Hamburg, Germany, one day to give a concert in London, violinist Fritz Kreisler had an hour before his boat sailed. He wandered into a music shop, where the proprietor asked if he might look at the violin Kreisler was carrying. He then vanished and returned with two policemen, one of whom told the violinist, “You are under arrest.”
“What for?” asked Kreisler.
“You have Fritz Kreisler’s violin.”
“I am Fritz Kreisler,” protested the musician.
“No you’re not. Come along.”
As Kreisler’s boat was sailing soon, there was no time for prolonged explanations. Kreisler asked for his violin and played a piece he was well known for.
Now are you satisfied? He asked.”
The policemen let the musician go because he had done what only Fritz Kreisler could do.
Disciples need to do what they are known for doing, what only they can do. Jesus said, "by this they will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Of course, the kind of love of which Jesus spoke was the divine agape love that He has for us and that He demonstrated by His life and sacrificial death. This is an unconditional love and one which only a disciple, one who has experienced Jesus love and forgiveness, can manifest. So, do what only a disciple of Christ can do. Love others with the same love that you have received in Christ!
Additional Application: If Jesus isn't the person He claimed to be, then explain how it is He is able to do the things He does!
Barnett Gushin
“Most of us cringe when we have to show others our driver’s license photograph. We look either washed out from too much light, or shadowy and suspicious from too little. Our eyes look either goofy and wide-eyed, or droopy and sleepy-eyed. Our hair is hopelessly out of place. And our smile? ‘Good grief,’ we say to ourselves, ‘do I really smile like that?’
"Then there’s the opposite extreme—the studio portrait. … With the photographer’s magic …The right background highlights our colors. The most flattering angle emphasizes our strong points. The lighting soften our features. … The air brush can blow away any wrinkles or imperfections.”
Kent Crockett graduated from Texas A&M University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is the senior pastor of the Church of Living Water in Prattville, Alabama. He is the author of The 911 Handbook, Making Today Count for Eternity, and I Once Was Blind but Now I Squint, and has been published in a number of Christian magazines.
“As radically different as they are,” Crockett concludes, “the driver’s license photo and the studio portrait have one thing in come: neither is realistic. But if we want to be authentic people who impact others, it’s important that the portrait others see is real.”
In the end, only God sees our “real” selves. Yet it’s imperative that we strive to be authentic in all our relationships if we desire to have the "impact" and influence of which Crocket speaks.
"Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known" (Luke 12:12).