Battle Log

On Tuesday I was in the City in the morning, and in Riccarton in the afternoon.

I had a conversation at each location, where the person involved was keen to hear what I had to say and to discuss it.  But it came apparent, in both situations, that the person was understanding the gospel, but was rejecting it as the cost was too great.

For the first person, who felt safe enough to say he was bi-sexual, he was not willing to give up his boyfriend.  For the second person, the exclusivity of Christ (salvation through Christ alone) was too much.

I was discouraged, but I'm reminded of the following scripture (Mark 10:24b-27):

But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

It is impossible for us to be saved by our own effort.  But, because of what Jesus did, we can enter His kingdom by His grace.  God can still use the gospel message these 2 people heard to bring about repentance and faith.  I leave them in His hands.

On Wednesday I was in the City in the morning, and outside the Hospital in the afternoon.

It was very difficult in the morning.  There was construction noise everywhere I went, and I couldn't settle in one spot to share the gospel from.  And it was difficult to get a conversation to start: I took a lot of rejection today.  I ended up just forcing myself to stay put and hand out tracts.  I did manage to get into a conversation outside the bus exchange, and I was able to share the gospel once at the entrance to Cathedral Square.

So as I headed for the hospital, I was keen for some quality conversations.

And as soon as I set up my flip chart at the entrance to the hospital, I was approached by 2 guys keen to give it a go.  It turned into a difficult discussion with someone who already had a good understanding of Christianity, but who was resistant to the gospel.

The key issue seemed to be why God allowed suffering.  And this was a theme for the afternoon.

And yet it's interesting how different people react to the issue of suffering.  I had one guy hand a tract back and, with bitterness, said something about the people suffering in the burns unit.  But another guy, who's daughter was born with part of her bowels outside of her body, had to have multiple surgeries to correct this, and who was currently suffering from infection - had no bitterness and was very open to the gospel.

He started out believing in reincarnation, and the idea that whatever we believed would be true (in a spiritual sense).  But at the end of the conversation was understanding that we can only be saved by trusting in Christ, and what He did for us on the cross - but that there was a great cost to following Him.

He left with a Bible, gospel booklet, various tracts: including one about why God allows suffering, and my contact details.  I will be praying for them.

Many tracts were handed out in front of the hospital.  Mostly to staff coming and going.  And I got much encouragement from Christians.  One guy even stopped to pray for me!

I have no idea what impact the days labour will have.  To my eyes, it feels impossible for anyone to come to Christ.  And yet I know that "all things are possible with God".  He has asked us to go, and tell people about Him.  At the very least, I have obeyed Him in that today.  People have heard, and understood the gospel.  I have worshipped Him in my obedience.  I leave the results with Him.

Come join me, on the streets, in worship of our Creator and Saviour: Jesus the Lord.

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