September 28, 2021
How do we go about leading someone to the Lord? Here is what you need to know…
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Judgment does not change someone’s heart.
Judging others and criticizing their choices will not bring them to know Jesus. Judgment does not change someone’s heart. So often, our first and most vital reaction is to stick it to them, tell them the truth, gosh dangit, and let them know how wrong they are. While developing Finding Faith Above, I hung out quite a bit in some forums dedicated to people who had left the church. While I want to help all people find the love of Jesus, it became apparent very quickly that there are many angry people with strong opinions not yet at a place to hear the peace of Jesus. While I don’t remember ever taking out my frustrations on anyone else, I do remember feeling very defensive. I desperately wanted to own my faith, but I was lost. When we find out some truth, against faith or for faith, it can be human nature to want to share. We want our beliefs validated, especially after leaving something we feel strongly against.
It can feel natural to judge others for what we think is ignorance. There are those right now wanting to judge me as a Christian, believing I am ignorant.
Faith brings out those raw emotions.
It’s easy for us to feel overly confident in our position and do the opposite of what our faith in Jesus instructs us to do- We judge.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
And in this judgment, we lose our opportunity to touch their soul. While we may or may not love the person we are judging, the judgment does not come from the same place. We judge seeing their faults, and we put them on the defense. We don’t show what it means to be Christian.
Judgment pushes others away. It does not lead people to God.
2. How do we show our faith? Love.
We show kindness, compassion, and love. That is what a Christain walking with God does. We offer love to ALL people—even the people who don’t deserve it. We are given grace despite not deserving it. So too, we must have grace for others. Have you ever heard the term kill them with kindness? That is what we have been instructed to do. Not kill them, but be kind and loving with all people. Read all the Gospels. Pick a book, a chapter. In almost every verse, Jesus speaks plainly about treating our neighbors, the poor, the needy, the poor in spirit, with all the love we can.
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
This is how important Love is.
3. Lead by example.
What does the attitude of love do?
It allows our example to bring people to the Lord.
Jesus could have brought fire and burning anger, fear, judgment, and all the things that could have scared people to God. But he did not. He was love. He was light. And that example has brought people to him for 2000 years. In 1 Timothy chapter 4, Paul describes how the best way to combat errors in faith and encourage believers is to be the example.
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”
It may not seem like your actions, your belief is making a difference, but your example of love and faith moves mountains.
I have felt very nervous about this calling and putting my heart out here.
I have been afraid of others thinking this is against religion or that it is rooted in anger. Very much the opposite. Finding Faith Above was born out of a calling on my heart to help people gain faith, not cause others to lose it. I hope this podcast, art, bible studies, coaching, and inspiration will be exactly what you have been looking for, pretty girl. Exactly what you need to help you find peace in your faith, help your family grow, and be moved to read God’s word. And a little celebrating is in order because this little podcast just passed 400 downloads. I hoped that it would help just one person, let alone hundreds! I say all this because I have people in my life that are still part of the church I left. Their opinions weigh heavy on my heart. I understand how hard it is to see people you love and want so bad to help them to find the Lord. But we are all on our own faith journey, and one thing we all know is that standing on our heads and throwing fits, shade, or hurtful comments does not bring others to the Lord.
But what does?
How do we go about leading someone to the Lord? Can we give someone faith?
I say all this today because I have been very nervous about this calling God has put on my heart. Over the last year, I have gone where He has directed me. My story as a Christian is unique, just as your walk of faith. I did not, and I do not want anyone to feel this is a place to criticize other religions that we have left. It is not. I have been guilty of judging myself. I have not always acted out of Love, and I have not always been the best example.
But as we all move forward to grow in our relationship with Jesus and further our faith, I challenge all of you, including myself, to remember these three things- Let judgment aside. That is not our job. Love. Love God and love each other. Show everyone, even those that drive us crazy, show them love. And lastly, lead by example. The example is what will lead others to the Lord.
