"I" Witness

As mentioned in State of Evangelism, I hope to share some of my witnessing encounters. Here is one that I had recently:

Today I was at the grocery store. I was hoping to run into Josh, 19, the grocery sacker that I had been speaking to for several weeks. When I arrived at the check out line there was Josh. He smiled and waved at me.

A few weeks ago I had given Josh a couple of tracts and briefly talked with him about his faith. I asked him if anyone had ever talked to him about it before. He said that his Mom was a Christian and that she had quite frequently. I was going to leave him my name but I couldn’t find one pen to write it down for him.

The following week I saw Josh again. I asked him if he had read the tracts. To my disappointment he said no. Then I asked him if he even still had them. He said that he did. This time I had a pen and gave him some contact information along with a note to read 1 John regarding true Christianity. Then, while he was loading my car with groceries I took Josh through the Law. He was a liar, thief, and he dishonored his parents. Josh is a very quiet person. He seemed very contemplative. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking but I knew he was listening.

Before I got in my car I told him to think about what we had talked about and to read the tracts. Then I said, “Josh, ten out of ten people die. I don’t want you to go to hell. Please think about what we discussed.” He said he would.

So today here I was with Josh again. I asked him if he had read the tracts hoping that our last conversation had provoked some thought.

“Yes.”

“You did read them? So, have you repented and put your trust in Christ?”

“Yes.”

“What was it that stood out to you?”

“That sinners go to hell.”

“Josh, do you realize that you have to turn from your sin and that it is not a sinner’s prayer that saves you?”

“Yes.”

Like I said, Josh is very quiet! I was silently rejoicing inside hoping that he was genuine.

As he loaded groceries into my car I asked Josh if he had a church home and a Bible. He said that he kind of jumped around churches so I told him to read his Bible for direction and that I would be praying for him.

Praise God!

Father, help me to remember that I am doing this out of obedience to you and not for myself.