Two Unexpected Guests
This morning my doorbell rang. When I answered, two young ladies stood in front of me. I figured they were either realtors or Jehovah Witnesses. I realized my latter guess was correct when they asked something about what I thought the future held. I told them I was a Christian and had faith in Christ and was saved by grace.
A Verse Blessing
The lady in the front started talking and pulled out her bible. She read a verse I believe was,
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
A Confirmation
I told her I was going through trials and that she had blessed me with that verse. She continued talking and wanted me to take one of their flyers with their web address. As she was talking I responded back with verses that I had remembered from my bible studies. While conversing with them I thought about how they were like angels and had spoken truth to me with the verse from James but that, having read a little about what Jehovah Witnesses believe, they were partly in error in their faith.
Speaking Truth
I tried to convey this truth by mentioning to them that we are warned not to add or subtract from anything He had written in His word.
And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Revelation 22:19.
Rather than engage in further discussion, however, they decided to turn around and leave. As they were leaving, I again thanked them for blessing me with the word, but I felt like I should have been better at expressing my own beliefs.
Standing on What You Believe
I’ve had other instances this week where I felt like I was having to defend my faith. So often it seems I’m dodging arrows that are either verbally stated or that are underhanded.
So, how do Christians stand in the offensive? How do we walk with so much love that the arrows of the fruit of the spirit are sent to people so we overcome the attacks before they even happen?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
I have to say that I’m still trying to learn how to walk this path of love but I will focus on making an effort to walk so full of the fruit of the spirit that I stand in the offensive so that people are touched in a profound way. I hope you will too.
Coffee For Your Heart is a weekly challenge with Holley Gerth. Click on the heart to the left to find out how you can participate in this challenge too.