Why Won't He Follow Jesus?!?

Have you ever had someone you care about just not believe in God? You talk until you're blue in the face, trying to convince that person that he needs to believe. He needs to be saved. He needs to follow Christ! And, he just shakes his head stubbornly. 

A couple weeks ago in Bible Study, we were discussing how it can sometimes be so frustrating when these people just don't seem to get it. Why can't they see the importance? Why can't they just understand? Why won't they follow Jesus?!?

You can lead a horse to water...

I'm sure you've heard the old adage, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't force him to drink." This is so true. But, there is something we can do. We can show the horse how good the water is!

Ok, before you all turn your noses up at the thought of getting down on your hands and knees and sticking your head in the water trough, perhaps I should try a different approach...

Have you ever tried to feed a 6 month old baby a new baby food? You open that jar of carrots and dip the spoon in. You bring it to your adorable, smiling baby's face. And that precious little thing clamps her mouth shut, glares at you, and shakes her head. You turn that spoon into an airplane... and she bats the plane away. You make chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo noises, and she smiles a little, but clamps those lips even tighter.

What do most of us do? We suck it up and bring that spoon to our own lips, making exaggerated "mmmmmm" noises as we show her just how yummy it is. This tactic often works (although, I highly recommend not using this technique with any "meat" baby food, unless you're an incredibly talented actor; and I recommend not using blueberry buckle, or vanilla custard, or other such delicious treat or baby will never get any).

Show how wonderful it is to follow God!

We need to be using this technique when trying to lead people to God. We need to show them just how yummy He is. We need to show the extensive joy that lives in our hearts (and, if you're not feeling that joy... you need to bring yourself back to Christ, before leading someone else...). We need to show how much love is in our hearts by being a flowing fresh spring of love, letting it pour out of us with everyone we meet (and, I mean real love... not the condescending "you're wrong" kind of false love many spew).

We must show the blessings that come with being in the grace of God. 

We can't be condescending to non-believers. We can't be pushy. We can't be threatening ("if you don't turn to Christ now, you're going to burn in eternal hellfire!").

And, we also can't be boring. I know so many people who just sit in church like it's an obligation to be there. They pray because "oh, I suppose I have to..." They might do something for others, but it's not from the heart - it's because they feel if they don't, they'll look bad in God's eyes. They read the Bible because they're told to do so. But they just seem unhappy. You can't see any joy or sparkle or love in their eyes.

This isn't what it's like to follow Christ! This is definitely not what a person feels deep down when they know they are a beloved child of God! That realization... the knowledge that God loves me! God has chosen me! It completely fills me with joy. And we need to have infectious joy if we want to get others to drink that water and eat that spoonful. We need to show others just how insanely wonderful following Christ is.

May God's blessings be with each of you, and may you feel the true joy of Christ.