The eternal skeptic and the sentimental sinner

Another night where God has blessed us with two carfulls of laborers. Tonight was a good night.

Here's how we paired up.

Bill and Jason
Luke and Michael
Vince and Mark
Emmanuel and Daniel

It was cool to see Vince come out, since he's getting married next weekend.

It was Bill's first time joining us. he went with me, and I thought he did a great job and demonstrated a great deal of confidence in talking with people.

Which was good because most of our conversations seemed to be with people who at least to some degree or other, mocked the word of God. Our first conversation of any length (we had handed out tracts up to that point) was with three guys who were on their way to their car and we stopped to talk to them. (Getting their attention using tracts). One of the guys obviously had some knowledge of the bible because he knew quite a few scriptures, but If I remember correctly, they had all been drinking pretty heavily. As we shared the gospel and contended with the most vocal guy (whose philosophy seemed to be eternal skepticism ) the guy who knew some scriptures seemed the most convicted, while the other guys mostly debated and mocked and rejected the word of God. It seemed that the light we were exposing through the scriptures we were sharing eventually bothered (convicted) them enough that they re-iterated they had to leave. I was saddened to see the guy who knew some scripture and appeared to actually be under a good amount of conviction seem to almost be dragged away b his friends (not physically, but via their peer pressure).

The other conversation I remember (I'm writing this a good while after the fact) was one we started with about 3-4 guys outside one of the tattoo parlors. This conversation was unique, because one of the guys simply could not reconcile his own concept of love with certain truths of scripture and the God revealed in scripture. He also seemed to equate his "feelings' with his "conscience" as if they were one and the same, and then attempted to justify things in his life and use that as his bass to took issue that God would hold him accountable for his feelings. I kept trying to break apart his presupposition and premise that his feelings and conscience were one in the same. We went back and forth on this in a round robin fashion for a while, until I finally concluded that simple reasoning with him wasn't getting us anywhere, and so I said something along the lines of

"Look, The Bible says that you're without excuse for your sin, whether you call it a feeling or not, and if the Bible is true, then what you're saying is just a smokescreen for the real issue, which is that you love your sin and you simply don't WANT to repent and put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ, and I'll show it to you straight from scripture. "

I then proceeded to read the entirety of Romans 1 starting with verse 18 and going to the end of the chapter.

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

At this point after I had read the scripture, we only had a few more minutes before we had to go, so we exhorted them to search out the truth and to each consider the Word of God themselves and what it claimed, especially the claim that God commanded them to repent. Acts 17:31 "..but now (God) commands ALL men EVERYWHERE to repent, because he has appointed a day when he will judge the world in righteousness... " (Emphasis mine).

I was encouraged that Bill was there because he did a great deal of talking and bringing up scriptures. Often I'm partnered up with someone younger from the High School youth group that I work with, and so often it's more of my partner shadowing me and being mentored/discipled by me until they gain the confidence and boldness to initiate witnessing to people on their own perogative, so it was cool to be with someone who did more talking.