As I closed the door I realized that I had failed again.
The sweet ladies I had just told I wasn’t interested in what they were peddling had been nothing but kind. And I was dismissive.
Worse yet, I had suggested I already had what they were promoting. But that was a lie.
They said they were there to share the “good news” but their good news wasn’t really good. It was conditional. It was false. It wasn’t really good at all.
And I let them walk away.
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” ~ Galatians 1:6-7
When The “Good News” Is Wrong
I was tempted to chase after them, but I didn’t know what I would say. “You’re believing a lie,” didn’t sound very loving or very convincing.
My only hope was to pray God would bring someone else into their lives that could do what I failed to do.
What do you say to someone who is believing a lie? Click To TweetThis wasn’t the first time this had happened.
It seems like every time someone comes knocking on my door I shut it discouraged. I can only remember one time when I felt like I made a connection. Where we planned to talk again… but I moved before we could follow through.
As an introvert, on the fly witnessing isn’t my strong suit.
Every time I shut the door feeling like a failure I plan to do better next time, but as the months tick by without an opportunity to do better, the resolve fades away. And by the time the “next time” comes, I’ve completely forgotten.
In my small town we only get door-to-door evangelists once every couple of years. So the opportunity to witness to them is slim.
The fact that I blow it every time is a bit discouraging.
But I have to remember that God gives us all different gifts, and no matter how many times I blow it, God loves me just the same.
The Real “Good News”
That’s part of the beauty of the real good news.
I don’t have to earn my salvation by getting it right, going door-to-door, or doing anything at all.
I have nothing to earn, because my debt has been paid.
Jesus paid it all on the cross.
The truth is, I am a sinner in need of a savior, and that savior is Jesus.
Jesus, who is God Himself, was willing to become flesh and blood. To live among us and then die for us. But death could not hold Him and three days later He rose again.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). ~ Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
That’s Jesus – God with us.
1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love, and John 15:13 says. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NIV)
That’s how much God loves us. He died so we could be forgiven of our sins and reunited with Him both now and for all eternity.
Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If that’s not good news, I don’t know what is.
Jesus paid it all, He loves us, and wants us to be with Him.
What more could we ask for?
Here’s The Thing
I might not always be the best witness, but my Jesus is always the best Savior.
That’s not conceit or me trying to brag. I just know I have the real thing and I want to share it with whoever I can. Because Jesus isn’t just mine, He is for everyone. The angel who heralded His birth said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) That’s our Jesus.
He is Jesus for everyone. The real Jesus. The real good news.
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17
Join The Conversation
Have you ever failed to be a good witness or share the good news? Do you have any tips for sharing the real good news with someone who is believing a lie? Join the conversation in the comments below.
Here's the good news: We don't have to earn our salvation. The price has been paid in full. Jesus paid it all on the cross. Click To Tweet
If I had a dollar for every time I failed to witness to someone I would be rich. We worry so much about what the other person will think of us that we just don’t do it. It saddens me because Jesus gave His life for me and I get embarrassed y sharing His life saving story. I pray to do better in the future.
Sadly, I’m not so much embarrassed as put out. On the day in question I was working on my computer and they inturrpted. Surly sharing about Jesus face-to-face is just as important as whatever I was doing online – even if it was ministry related. But thankfully, God has a plan, and He can bring someone into their life that isn’t too busy, too embarrased, or too introverted to share the good news. And He can give me the strength and wisdom to boldy proclaim the gospel in the future.
I’m the same way. When opportunity comes, I usually clam up. But last week I was sitting with a couple other teammate dads. One of them knows I write a Christian blog and small group study guides. The other mentioned maybe a week prior that he dropped out of ‘priest school.’ So I decided to open up the conversation by asking him why he dropped out. The 3 of us continued to have an extended and open conversation about Catholicism, hypocrisy, and studying the Bible for ourselves versus being spoon-fed. It was a great opener for further discussion because he took a phone call. I asked the other dad about his faith (not in those words). That one was more about Hinduism and good works versus a personal relationship with God. Well, as much as I spoke openly, I also clammed up because I could’ve said…, could’ve asked…, etc. But praise God there is something to follow up on with guys I will surely see continuously for several months.
As you wrote, we can keep people in prayer and hope that others will cross their paths who God can use to bring home the gospel. And may our next opportunity be a time when we can be that other person. Thanks Heather.
That’s awesome, Stephen!
Dear Heather!
Thanks for sharing. When I read this, I was reminded of the fact that something the best we can do is pray.
Sure, He’s given us different gifts. Sometimes it can be challenging to find out what those gifts are.
You asked: “Have you ever failed to be a good witness or share the good news?”
I must say yes to that question. What I like the most about Christianity is that He loves us even if we’re making mistakes and doing a job that could have been done much better.
Blessings!
Edna Davidsen
Yes! That’s my favorite part, too, Edna! So thankful there is no condemnation for those of us who know Jesus.
Exactly!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I think that’s a really common reaction. We’re not quite sure what we’ll say, and so we send them on their way. The Holy Spirit would give us the words and guide the conversation if we asked, and he has when we’ve trusted him, but we’re more likely to shy away, especially if we’re introverts. The solution seems to be to ask in that moment, but like you said, we may make that resolution and forget all about it when the next opportunity presents itself. When I’m out and about, I try to interact with people in a way that will bless their day and bring Christlike actions into daily interactions. I’m ready to give a response about why I’m cheerful and/or kind in my interactions, ready to “give a defense” for the hope that is in me. For me, that is something I feel better prepared to do. Whereas someone knocking on my door catches me unaware and occupied and maybe even unsure of the safety involved in opening the door. I live in an enormous city. My strategy makes me feel proactive and prepared to talk about Jesus. It’s also easy when we’re invited into a dialogue or an opportunity to speak, because then we know we have an interested audience, rather than a conflicting viewpoint.
It’s so great to know someone else gets this. Like really gets this. You described it perfectly.
Every Christian fails at this daily as we interact with those around us. Today I failed to witness well to my kids. I failed to love my neighbor (my kids). I am so grateful for the blood that was shed on our behalf so that when we do fail we know that it is not out of God’s hands and we are redeemed.
Yes and amen! So thankful for Jesus!
We should speak up for the Gospel every chance we get. But it may not be wise to engage everyone. Trust those ladies to the Spirit.
I once engaged people at the door in discussion. I was a fairly new Christian. I knew what I believed, but they took my conversation as encouragement. And they KEPT. COMING. BACK. They weren’t coming back to hear me. They were coming back to sell me on their version of the gospel. They didn’t stop until we moved.
Pray for wisdom every day for situations we don’t foresee like a knock on the door. But trust that God will answer the prayer we ask to lead those we haven’t spoken to about Him to Him.
Oh yes. I know if I would have opened a dialog they would have come back. And they may have even brought reinforcements. I worked with a sweet woman a while back, so I actually have a ton of their liturature (she thought it would help me “understand” but it really just helped me poke more holes). Prayer is so important because our enemies aren’t flesh and blood, we are waging a war for their souls.
Yes, there have been times when I could have been a great witness for Christ and I failed. Looking back on missed opportunities to share His love breaks my heart. I pray that I will be a better witness today and each day forward.
Yes and amen!
I’d like to share a time when I failed to share Jesus, but there are too many to choose from. I’m the champion of failed evangelism and blown opportunities. But you’re exactly right. God is gracious and good. I will keep attempting as long as God finds me worthy of another try.
The times I’ve succeeded were all rooted in relationship. I had earned the right to speak God’s truth to someone, and they knew it came from a place of love. It’s playing the long game, but it was worth it.
Building relationships is so important! I have failed a thousand times over to share Jesus, but even if I just succeed once, I know that one person is worth it to keep trying.
I love your honesty. We’ve all done this… the doorbell rings, we peek to see who it is before opening it and decide not to – it’s those Mormons again (or whoever). Yeah. Guilty as charged (even though I know we’re not guilty – there is grace, thank God!). But the next time it happens, I am ready. I’ve learned how to engage other worldviews, and feel more confident today to share my faith because of the study of Apologetics. This is answering the call of 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
The next time my doorbell rings, all I can do is try. I may not change anyone’s minds, but I can surely plant seeds. God bless you! Lisa Q
Yes, the sad part is, I get ready each time, and then by the time it actually comes, I’ve forgotten. They catch me off-guard. I know I’m supposed to always be on guard, and prepared, but… well, I’m simply not. When it only comes around once a year or once every other year, it’s easy to forget.
I honestly feel indignant when door-to-door evangelists come to my home. I feel like some of them are distorting the Word and I can’t get past it to actually begin an open dialogue. I really need to change my attitude and be a better witness myself.
It is so hard, isn’t it, Valerie. Oddly enough, I wish more people would knock on my door to visit like they did in the old days, but then when they do, I feel put out. It’s definitly something I need to be more aware of, and stay aware of, even when months go by with no one at my door.