When we try to reach someone in order to share with them the good news of the gospel, we must meet them where they are rather than shout at them from where we are in our walk with Yeshua. Meet them where they are, but do not stay there. Those who do not yet truly know Messiah will often start with a bias against Him. They may not understand words that we, as followers of Yeshua, use regularly… such as sin, salvation, “being saved”. They likely do not know or accept that they are headed to hell without Yeshua and probably won’t just take your word for it if that is part of your message when first introducing yourself to them. This is likely true to some extent even as we try to share with other Christians some of the common incorrect teachings that are prevalent in the church today. They start with a strong bias to hold onto what they already believe and reject change.
Often, we must try to understand them in order to effectively meet them where they are, and then quickly bridge to sharing the good news of Yeshua and the truth of scripture with them. Ultimately, the goal is to not mix and mingle truth with lies but rather to quickly build a connection and bring them to the full truth. They may have loneliness, suffer from addiction, feel unloved and worthless… these are all points of connection where we can “meet them” and then tell them about the good news of Yeshua. They may not feel loved or accepted or worthy. They may feel confident on the wrong path. We have to understand at least a bit of where they are coming from to find the most effective engagement approach. Even still, don’t expect everyone to embrace the message. Remember, when you go fishing, you don’t expect to catch all the fish. You still put your rod in the water. Paul demonstrated this concept with great clarity on his missionary journeys.
Paul at Athens
16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. 18And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? 20“For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” 21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
Sermon on Mars Hill
22So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33So Paul went out of their midst. 34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Is there someone you want to reach for Yeshua, perhaps even in your own family? Whether you are trying to share the gospel of Yeshua as our Messiah or trying to help lead them away from wrong teaching to truth, prayerfully and thoughtfully consider the right approach to share the gospel. Ask Yahweh for help. How we reach out to people is very important in creating an open environment in which they may listen rather than a hostile environment. Take note, however, that some will reject the message no matter how you share it. Then we must move on to share the gospel with others who will indeed receive it.
Matthew 10:14-15 14“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Luke 9:5 5“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please grant Your people wisdom in sharing Your truth with others. Also, prepare those who listen to the message to really hear it and be ready to respond. Give us boldness in reaching out and make the opportunities, or divine appointments, for us to engage whom You want us to engage. Let all the glory be to You! Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.