I like to answer these questions “off the top of my head” rather than spend hours trying to think of an answer. I’d like to make all sorts of changes if I were to live my life over again. But wisdom often comes with age, and when you’re young, maybe you’re not always wise. I’d like to have been nicer and kinder to classmates who were bullied or marginalized. I was keen to be “cool” and though I wasn’t a bully myself, Itended to gravitate towards the nasty kids.
Likewise, even when I grew up, I wasn’t always keen to be on the lookout for those who struggled. Maybe our whole culture has changed in recent years. There’s much more emphasis on general mental health and being there for people. You don’t need to solve peoples’ problems, but you can be a listening ear and encourage them to contact services that might be of help for challenges in physical and mental health, finances, relationships, career, and spiritual areas. I wish I’d known all that 50 years ago.
Another thing that comes to mind is evangelistic opportunities.
My Christian faith is the most important thing in my life and doesn’t only affect this life, but my existence for all eternity. And I like to spread the good news. At the same time, I like to be careful not to annoy people. “Do unto others as you’d have them do to you”. I wouldn’t always appreciate people eyeing me up or trying to persuade me to follow their religious or political beliefs. I don’t mind so much if they’re gentle about it and if they respect me if I decline.
So, on occasion, I might have been able to tell someone about my faith, but I held back. Then, I’d wonder should I have been more vocal. I remember once during some open air preaching, a former lecturer of mine stopped to observe. He didn’t see me, and I just hid away. He passed away some years ago, and I asked myself why I didn’t go and introduce myself to him.
Of course, in Ireland, people hear about Jesus all the time. They might not be aware of the need for a personal relationship with Jesus, and the differences between evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics. But nowadays, rather than believe that no-one hears the true gospel until we reach them, I think that people who are exposed to any truth about Jesus and have access to the Scripture have the potential to come to Christ. They would benefit from conversations with evangelical Christians and from attending evangelical churches, but it’s my hope that many who aren’t evangelical Christians have a personal faith in Jesus, even if they’re not as correct as we are in their doctrinal outlook.
Some might wonder why I included a Manic Street Preachers video in this post. They’re not believers. They released There by the Grace of God back in 2002. I love it because it reminds me of the time when I used to preach in the streets. I sometimes wonder why secular songs can touch me in the way that hymns do or even deeper on occasion. I wonder might the Holy Spirit inspire people who might not even be believers. Or else maybe they were influenced by some aspects of evangelicalism. The Manic Street Preachers are from Wales, which has a rich evangelical heritage. I do pray that the Manic Street Preachers will become believers.
Anyway, I like to be prepared when opportunities arise to speak about Jesus. I think of the following verses:
1 Peter 3:15
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Hibernia Gospel 