I'm Not Going to Heaven Without You

Several folks from our gathering of Jesus-followers are experiencing a learning exercise called JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM. From Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church, Just Walk Across the Room helps people to learn effective, relational ways to share faith in Jesus. In one of the videos, Bill Hybels talks about a friendship he had with a sailing buddy from a vacation community in Michigan. It was eight years from the time Bill met his friend Dave to the time that Dave committed his life to Jesus Christ. During that time Bill was careful to be genuine around Dave, to listen to the story of Dave's life journey, and to enjoy Dave's company. Bill didn't force faith down Dave's throat, but he watched carefully for the nudging of the Holy Spirit and opportunities to gently but clearly bring up questions of faith.

Bill Hybels said that he reached a point at which he was thinking about how much he valued his friendship with his sailing buddy Dave. Bill discovered that he cared enough about Dave that he couldn't stand the thought of heading into eternity without him. That's it...that's the right motivation for evangelism. We don't offer Christ to get more people into the pews. Nor do we do it just to boost numbers or increase offerings. We don't do evangelism just to get people in the category of "saved," then to walk off and leave them on their own. We do it because we come to care so much for them as people that we want the very best for them, which is a relationship with Jesus now and forever. That's exactly what God wants. Evangelism is born not of slick programs, revivals, commanding speakers, and the latest church growth seminar, as helpful as all those things may be. It is born of having the heart of God for another person.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.