There are only two rules.
Rule #1: Each contestant will be tossed
several pearls. If you catch one, you
can trade it in for a fabulous prize!!!
A lifetime all paid vacation to a paradise island!
Rule #2: Although tosses are unlimited,
your time is up when the game ends, so focus on getting that prize before time
runs out! Let’s begin!
Host: “Contestant #1, are you ready?”
Contestant: “Ready Bob”
Host: “Then here we go!!!”
(Several lustrous pearls are tossed to
Contestant #1. He desperately reaches
for them, but misses the first few. He
finally catches a pearl on toss #7.)
Host:
Wonderful! You may now go claim
your prize!!!
(Contestant #1 rushes from the stage in
utter joy)
Host: Contestant #2, are you ready?”
Contestant:
“I sure am!”
Host: Then get ready for the toss!”
(The contestant catches a pearl on the very
first try.)
Host:
That was amazing! You may go
claim your prize!
Contestant:
Well, I actually just wanted to play the game to see what it was
like. This game was too easy. I think I’ll go on “Casting Coals” and get to
paradise that way. It’s much more
difficult and I think that by putting more effort into catching the coal, it
will make my trip to that island paradise even more enjoyable.”
(Contestant #2 leaves the stage smiling and
waving.)
(Time passes until we reach Contestant #6)
Host: “Contestant #6, are you ready?”
Contestant: “I don’t think I want to play,
Bob.”
Host:
“Well, you’re already part of the game, so you’ll have to play before
the next contestant can get their shot.”
Contestant:
“Nah, this game is stupid.”
Host: “But the prize is a lifetime all paid
vacation to a paradise island of your choice.”
Contestant: “Yeah, I don’t believe there is
such a thing as an island of paradise.”
Host: “Let me show you a picture of the
island.”
Contestant:
“This could have been Photo-shopped.
How do I know it’s real?”
Host: “Let’s hear from someone who has been
to the island.”
Contestant: “Let’s not. How do I know what they have to say isn’t
just a bunch of fairy tales and lies?”
Host: “Here is a contract that guarantees
you will receive the prize promised.”
Contestant: “So I play the game and win the
“prize” and find out right after the show that there is a loop hole in the
contract and it’s voided because I didn’t wear the right colored socks or
something. No way.”
Host: “I refuse to let you pass up this
wonderful prize! I will not go to the
next contestant until I have convinced you to play the game.”
Contestant: “You’re an idiot.”
(As the host continues in his attempt
convince this contestant that the prize is real and the game is worth playing,
the other contestants wait. Some are
getting tired and fall asleep; others begin talking about other game shows
they’d like to be on, others leave the set and go home. Still, the host continues in his attempt to
convince Contestant #6 to play the game.)
Okay, do we see the problem here?
Contestant #1 accepted the salvation message
eagerly, and although the word of God was shared with him several times, it
wasn’t until he was witnessed to the 7th time that he finally made his decision
to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The important part is that he was eager to hear the word, which was
planted and continually watered until it produced the fruit of repentance.
Contestant #2 was eager to try
Christianity, but the thought of just repenting of her sin and accepting Jesus
as Lord and Savior seemed a little to easy for her. She decided to reject Christianity and opt
for another religion where the effort of performing good works and religious rituals lead to heaven.
Contestant #6 has no interest in the word
of God or knowing who Jesus is. Although
he is offered the word of God, he continually rejects it, even to the point of
calling the host an idiot.
What happened to the other contestants; the
ones that never got the chance to play? Some fell asleep and never completed the game. Some left the studio and went on with their lives
as if they were never offered the chance to play. Some decided to play other games; games that
promised the same prize, but never had any intent on meeting their obligation.
The problem is that the host was so intent
on getting a contestant to play the game, that he ignored those contestants who
really wanted to play. The host was so
convinced that he could change the contestant’s mind that he ignored his chief
responsibility to get as many contestants to play the game as possible in the
limited time offered to him. By spending
so much time on Contestant #6, he neglected the other contestants and most
never took the opportunity to play again.
That’s what it’s like in witnessing to the
lost. There are those who eagerly accept
the word of God and there are those who reject it outright. The problem I used to have (and many
Christians still have) is that I used to spend a lot of time trying to use the
word of God to show people that God is real and that they need to repent of
their sin. Unfortunately, that took a
lot of time away from other Christians who needed encouragement. It also took time away from those who were
urgently seeking someone to answer their questions about salvation.
Look, Jesus gave us the perfect example on
how to deal with non-believers who totally reject who God is.
- Don’t cast your pearls before them (they’re
just going to trash the word of God).
- Shake the dust off your feet and walk away
(if they’re not going to accept the salvation message, move on).
- Let the blind lead the blind (if they’re
intent on continuing in the same direction, let them go).
We can’t neglect the rest of the harvest
just because of one person. The
consequences of that is just too great. Jesus taught those who wanted to listen. I don’t recall any recorded incident in the bible where Jesus sat down
with those who rejected God and tried to convince them otherwise. Jesus lets everyone make their own decision
whether to believe and repent or to deny and remain in their sin. We must understand that having a human nature
means that we take on much more responsibility than God wants us to have. It’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to
convict the sinner. It’s His
responsibility to convince the sinner of who God is. Our job is to spread the word of God with
those who will listen. If they don’t
want to listen, then we’re to move on, NOT double down and put a more concerted
effort into trying to convince them of who Jesus is.
The enemy uses this flaw in Christians to
delay them from coming in contact with those who are on the verge of
repentance. He has convinced Christians
that you can’t love the sinner if you’re so willing to just walk away, but
that’s a lie. Our personal walk with the
Lord is a witness. Our prayers for the
lost individual is powerful! Lets not be
deceived into believing that our one-on-one witnessing is the only way to share
the the word God with those who have hardened their heart against the Lord.
So what do I suggest? If someone doesn’t accept the salvation
message, offer to give them some information (tracts) or point them to a
specific Christian web site. If they
won’t accept the information, then let them know that you’re there for them if
they have any questions. Always share
the love of Christ with them through selfless acts, a warm smile, an offer of
prayer in a time of need, etc… That is
a wonderful witness.
The most important thing is to get to the
harvest and reap as much fruit as possible before your time here on earth is
over.
There
will also be a supernatural illumination of the city with the Glory of God
lighting everything, since He will be living among us. No longer will there be day or night and no
longer will there be any shadow.
