Challenged

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 1:3 NASB)

At 5 years old, I graduated from a tricycle to a bike that had training wheels. I can remember the first ride in the front yard of our house. Every body (Dad, Mom and my sister) was watching to see if I could make it. It was like watching a fawn trying to take it’s for steps, or maybe like a baby bird that was just learning how to fly. Of course, as you could guess, the momentous occasion of peddling the bike by myself ended in 30 seconds or so. I was on the ground, but ready to get back up again. Have you ever felt like this when it comes to sharing your faith with someone else? Unsure, unstable, and winging every word you say. You don’t have to be.

Yesterday while at the mission, I watched something unfold from the distance that inspired me. First, there was a homeless guy named Raymond who has visited 49 states and 4 Canadian provinces. He is in his early 60s. He is tall, toothless, yet talented with words. Second, there was a group of high school students participating in a mission’s outreach program called M-Fuge. They are living at a local college and reaching out into the community of Nashville at various ministries. They are right out of school for the summer, saturated by the world, yet willing to serve. As the students began preparing the trays for those eating, Raymond comes in and begins questioning them. He says, “Are you really Christians or are you just pretending?” With a smile and a laugh, he realizes that he has taken these high school students off guard. How would this make you feel if you were asked this question? The girls respond to some of his questions to defend themselves about why they are there to serve. They responded, “We are trying to do good that God’s light may shine through us.” Before everyone gets into the cafeteria, he asks them, “What can God do for a sinner like me?” He told them to hold that thought, and he would be back after lunch was served.

Taken back, the girls talk among themselves and then disperse to meet and greet some of the homeless that are coming in for lunch. On this day, there are not as many people eating at the mission, because it is the first of the month. Many get there checks, and the day on the street is called, “Dope Day!” In a week or so, the money will have been spent on drugs, alcohol and women. They always come back looking for help in a few weeks. Raymond seems to be clear headed and often has a smile on his face. He comes back after lunch and begins questioning the young girl’s faith about Jesus, salvation, the One True God, and how to deal with sin. He probes them for answers about this great salvation that they speak of. He acts like he doesn’t understand anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ. One young girl is drilled about how she knows this is real. She gets so frustrated and almost mad as he refuses to believe her answers. They take Raymond to the Scriptures and try to explain John 3:16 and God’s amazing love in giving his own Son as our Substitute and ultimate Sacrifice. He said, “I get it.” He then asks, “Do you know what 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us?” All of their Bibles were on the bus, so one of the chaperones pulled his from his backpack and allow the girl to read, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Behind his worn clothing and toothless but priceless smile, he explained the purity and purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He talked about the sinfulness of man, the imputed righteousness of Christ, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the joys of eternal life. He told the girls that his hope was in Christ and that he was following Him. A High School Junior named Baillee said, “I knew it!” As we all walked away, we learned the valuable lesson of not just knowing what you believe but making sure your beliefs line up with Scripture. Eventually, you and I will be faced with people where the rubber meets the road. Will you be able to stand, ride or fall? It all depends on how much training you have done in your front yard at home!