Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:25
Try picking up a basketball with a wet mop then handing it to a friend. You probably won’t have much success. You will just end up forcing a wet basketball away from where
you really want it to be. If you want to give someone a basketball, it is much more effective to gently lift it in your hands and place it in theirs.
Pushing someone toward Jesus by soaking him or her in facts about heaven, hell, God, Satan, or Bible history will most likely only end up with that person running away from Jesus. All of the excess “facts” that they were soaked with will drip off and have little or no effect on their lives, like the water drops dripping from the basketball.
Instead of trying to push someone toward Jesus, “…gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…” as it says in 2 Timothy 2:25. In other words, gently lift the person up through prayer and actions that model Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and compassion and place the person in Jesus’ hands.
“But in your hearts set apart 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.” 1 Peter 3:15
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m trying to show Your love and forgiveness to my friends. Hold out Your hands and draw them to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.