C17 George Invited Jesus
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C17 George Invited Jesus
Now, I’m going to assume for a moment that our George invited Jesus into his life. It’s a wonderful and at the same time quite special experience. It feels like a „heaven and earth connecting“…
Georges coming from „outside“ usually do not speak our Christian language. This otherness makes some believers doubt whether there has really been a „conversion“. „He says it so ‚weird‘ way.“ Then they tend to correct George and instruct him on how to say it „right“ – our way. Others reveal their doubts about George’s new faith by „testing“ him. They ask questions to which George cannot have clear answers at this stage, let alone biblical answers.
Yes, I am very interested in what George is thinking and experiencing! But now I am asking more about the steps he has taken and his experiences. Not his „theological“ understanding of things. If I was not personally present at his conversion, I will ask, „What did you actually say to Jesus when you invited Him into your life?“ When my new George tells me, I ask further, „And what response did you perceive?“ „Do you think He forgave you all your bad things?“ „What did it change in your life when you invited Him in?“ „Do you have a plan to develop that contact with Him further? – I’d be happy to help you…“
The new George, who has just accepted Jesus, needs two things:
1) Reassurance.
2) Vision.
Biblical ASSURANCE is important because he is experiencing things he has never known before. In our culture, the new George is quite likely to encounter people who will question or even ridicule the whole thing. He may have heard personal stories of how others have invited Jesus, but his own experience may be somewhat different. Other things may also be a threat for our new brother or sister.
Experiencers from the world movements say: Do everything to reassure him as soon as possible! Can we take the next step right now? That is, the minute George surrendered to the Lord Jesus in a short prayer? That’s ideal! – Be ready for it! If you can’t do it immediately, call for an assurance meeting no later than the next day (48 hours at most).
„Um, I felt strange to call him again the very next day,“ a believing friend explained his procrastination. But God’s Enemy does not feel strange at all to bother a new George immediately! And very intensely, with all sorts of doubts and temptations.
In our busy world, when further contact is really not possible the same day or the next day, I at least send a text message, „Hi George. How’s it going with Jesus? Can I call you briefly?“ And it often turns into an hour-long call.
In addition to reassurance, George also needs a clear VISION very soon!
For example, „George, I’m really glad you invited Jesus into your life! Do you think any of your friends need it too? And what would you say to them so they could invite Jesus into their lives too? I’d love to help you with that.“
I don’t know where we get the idea that in order to share the Gospel one must have heaps of knowledge and answers to all the hard questions of unbelievers. When the new George has his own experience, he already has a story to tell! When he begins to share his experience with Jesus, he inevitably and hungrily grows by it. When we teach him by our own example, he even begins to pray because he needs a help of living Jesus. He begins to read God’s Word – if we teach him by our own example. And he has a million questions from his conversations outside and from his own reading. With the answers, he also naturally receives advice and encouragement.
Please change your perspective and try to instill the fact that your brand new George can bring his friend to the Lord Jesus tomorrow! Sensitively show him that his friends need and can accept Jesus too: „Hey George, I think your best friend will soon notice that you are a little different, happier, calmer. What are you going to tell him when he asks you about that?“
The Lord Jesus shared his vision with his disciples from the very beginning. When He saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea, He said, „Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.“ (Mark 1:16-18) For Jesus, these were two inseparable things: 1. „Follow me, and 2. I will help you to become fishers of men.“
Lord Jesus, thank You for not only having a great rescue for us, but also a great mission…!