I remember early in my Christian walk sitting at a McDonald’s in a rather heated theological argument with some other Christians who differed on a point of doctrine. Don’t you know that was a fine witness to those flipping burgers behind the counters. Anyway, we were Christians, but we weren’t acting very Christian. This was back when I still thought arguing was one of the fruit of the Spirit. I had yet to discover Proverbs 15:2 that says, “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing…” In other words, it makes it palatable. It serves information up in such a way that it becomes inviting, creating openness or thirst. It seems that our intent should not be to win arguments but to positively persuade souls.
I love the picture the gospels paint of Jesus hanging out with publicans, tax collectors and sinners. In today’s world it is easy to refer pejoratively to those of different values, practices and ideologies as “that group” or “those people.” Yet the ones Jesus often spent time with were “those people!” Why is it that the “publicans and sinners” were repelled by the Pharisees but drawn to Jesus like a magnet? Like a compassionate friend I imagine he connected with them…ate with them…listened to their concerns, treated them with dignity and made God’s kingdom seem real and approachable. His was a friendly persuasion.
Influencing others is the way of the kingdom. Jesus once said to some fishermen, “Follow me and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they did! And they eventually changed the world. Successful fishermen learn how to attract fish and not repel them. They learn the art of friendly persuasion.
Here is what I consider to be the ABCDs of of such persuasion:
Accept people where they are in their journey. It doesn’t mean we agree with all their values and choices, but we love them. To paraphrase one author, “God loves us just like we are, but too much to let us stay that way.”
Bathe others in prayer, not criticism and judgment. As we hold them in God’s presence, it will soften the souls, theirs AND ours.
Connect with them, finding common ground. Ask questions. Learn their stories. I think it was Teddy Roosevelt who said, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”Draw them to Jesus. Not to some pet doctrine or to religiosity, but to the person of Christ. And then let Jesus convict and highlight the things he requires of them.
So this week, let’s go fishing. Let’s follow Jesus and practice some…friendly persuasion.
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