I was sitting out front of a little eatery the other night, here in Davao City, Philippines. Most of the people there were Roman Catholic. Most of them were pedicab drivers and were now relaxing and drinking Tanduay Rum. I got into a discussion with one young man, visiting from the mountains nearby, and discovered when I quoted Scripture, he would name the chapter and verse. Upon query, I found he was Protestant and came from a church which teaches well.
As we talked, the drivers began asking questions and showing interest in the conversation. We didn't convert any that evening but I saw some seed was sown!
As for this thread, only one Scripture comes to mind that directly answers all...
Romans 7: 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
I know a guy who’s a Christan and a used car dealer.
Kinda sounds like an oxymoron, but the guy is really on fire for the Lord and he reaches a lot of unsuspecting people who think they’re going into his office just to buy a car.
He reaches people who would never darken the door of a church. But everyone needs a car to drive. And he’s not threatening as talking to a pastor would be. People freeze up around pastors and try to impress them but everyone can feel better about themselves than a used car dealer.
There’s something about a relaxed atmosphere that does wonders for sharing the gospel.
I don’t drink. I don’t see how people getting stoned drunk can be Christians any more than telling me your best witnessing happened in whorehouses... Handing them Bibles on your way out.
Thanks great story, and scripture.