Penn Jillette’s perspective on evangelism. This was honestly incredibly encouraging to hear. It was a good reminder to check my heart and my motives. The stereotypes of Christians that bible-thump, share the gospel out of duty, and consider the non-Christian as a project wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t some truth to them. Sadly that’s generally how a good deal of Christians share their faith. Add to that the vocal fringe who make the news (such as Westboro Baptist Church) and we look like either hate-filled idiots or duty-bound robots.
Where is our heart? Are we sharing because it’s a Christian duty? Or are we sharing because we remember where our lives were before Jesus changed us? And do our hearts really break for those around us? And do we really care for people enough that we’d go outside our comfort zones and tell them about the rescue they have in Jesus? People are perceptive. They know your motives and intentions based on your body language and word choice. If you’re talking to them out of a duty and relating to them as a project they’re going to know it. But if your heart really is moved to compassion for them and you’re talking with them because you really do love them they’re going to notice the difference. As Penn said, how much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize them?
