Let Me Shove This Truth Down Your Throat

I’m sure you really want to read this after reading the title. None of us likes having things shoved down our throat. In my years as a Christian, I have seen and heard many approaches to delivering the truth. Some of them are way less palatable. You have zealots who will tell you that you can just go to hell if you won’t hear them out. There are those who arrogantly parade what they perceive to be truth and condemn all those who do not believe exactly as they do. I may be wrong on this one (and the Lord will correct me one day if I am), but I am to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and understand that the Holy Spirit does the work. As the old saying goes, I lead the horse to water but I can’t make him drink.

I probably wrote this recently, but someone may need this again. I was asked recently about how I convert my hospice patients. I said, “I don’t. I build a relationship, share the message, and leave the rest to God. God does a better job of changing hearts than I ever could.”

I understand that you may want to let everyone know what you know, but your approach may make or break them. Arrogance and the high-pressure salesman approach have always sent me running. I do not argue my faith. I do my best to lovingly state the facts and my stance. I don’t convert.

I believe it was D. L. Moody who was approached by a man who pointed to a man in a drunken stupor and said, “Mr. Moody, isn’t this one of your converts?” Moody replied, “I must be one of mine because it certainly isn’t one of the Lord’s.” The best you can do, my friend, is lead someone to conform to a certain way of life or thought pattern. Eventually, they will go back to their ways. That’s what a legalist does – he conforms. The true child of God is transformed. The legalist condemns others. The true child of God is filled with the fruit of the Spirit and understands the balance between grace and truth. Be repulsive or be salt and light…it’s your choice!