Back in July I had an interesting weekend involving two separate occasions with two people with whom I was able to engage in what I call “Jesus conversations.”
The first event was a Saturday golf tournament where my playing partner was an 80-year-old who was new to the neighborhood. It was a hot day, and the tournament lasted six long hours. Waiting between shots gave us ample time for extended conversations. We spoke of family, travel, fine wine, his time as a Navy aviator. Then he queried me about GCI. What kind of church is GCI? What was my seminary training? I enjoy talking about GCI, but I enjoy talking about Jesus more so.
My golf partner was harkening back to his college days when he had taken a class on Christianity and an overview of the Bible. His family of origin was Lutheran, and his wife’s family of origin was Methodist, so for most of their church-going time they went to a Presbyterian church (that makes sense). He had been stationed in foreign countries, like Japan and Saudi Arabia, so he had been exposed to other world religions. Now at age 80, he was having a heightened curiosity about Jesus and Christianity. We conversed how most other world religions require you to sacrifice and appease their gods through all sorts of ritual and idolatry, where our God took on flesh and came into our world to live and die for us.
We went deeper into the matter of salvation by grace alone. Apparently, he was impressed by how I had been treating him. He is older and, on top of that, he has had double knee replacement surgery. The course was quite hilly so often I would offer to pick up his stray golf ball and bring it to the cart. He would say, “Aren’t you a gentleman?” It was a great opportunity to turn the glory back to Jesus.
We talked about the apostle Paul’s comments in the letter to the church at Rome where he says that he knew what was right, desired to do what was right, but often failed and felt wretched about this human condition. Paul then asked and answered the key question, “Who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24b-25a NKJV) I told my new friend that any good action of kindness that he sees in me is all due to Christ who lives in me. He acknowledged that salvation by grace and through Christ alone is the only thing that makes sense to him as well. I hope to continue the friendship and conversations with him.
The second experience that same weekend was an impromptu drop-in with our good friends across the street. This couple have become like family to Susan and me, and it warms our hearts to see how they have become more active in their home church, especially as their granddaughter participates in the life of the church.
My dear friend and I have a history of engaging in rather deep conversations. He is a retired chiropractor and a well-read individual. He often circles back to one question. “Which came first, religion or civilization?” So, we spent almost two hours on his back patio unpacking this question. I was able to share with him about how Father, Son, and Spirit – the triune God – is a relational union of three in one. They abide in a harmonious flow of perfect love and perfect union. And because of who we are as children of God, made in his image, we were created for relationship as well. The structures of government and religion fall back to rules that dictate right and wrong behavior, and because of the fall, even God’s chosen nation of Israel could not live up to the regulations and standards delivered to them through Moses. The entire history of Israel pointed to the need for a Messiah/Savior.
Our conversation progressed toward the notion of division between the sacred and secular (back to civilization and religion). What did I mean by sacred versus secular? My simple explanation was compartmentalizing your life where you spend a couple of hours on Sunday tending to sacred matters and then living your life for the other six days in the secular realm. I asked him if he had experienced Jesus in his work as a chiropractor. This opened his mind to a whole new way of thinking.
He had spent his life’s work helping people who were bent, broken, and in pain to begin a process of healing and to live a more productive life. He began to muse about a lesson he had learned from a mentor years ago: chiropractic medicine is a hands-on discipline that involves touch. I seem to recall that Jesus touched people, even ones deemed untouchable. He also spoke about a flow – the flow equated to the gift he had received to be a doctor and the flow that goes out from him to his patient. So, I asked, “Haven’t you been participating with Jesus all along in the care and healing of hundreds of people who have needed help?” My question resonated with him. What a joy to see where Christ has been present and working all along.
Concluding thoughts
I am coming to believe that our neighbors do not need us to challenge their values and then engage in a battle of wills. Nor should our highest priority be attempting to discern their perceived needs and develop programs accordingly. They need neighbors who are true believers and who, through the love of Jesus, demonstrate and proclaim the goodness of Jesus, regularly and repetitiously.
It is then through the credibility of these genuine relationships we can invite people into a new reality that is to be a new creation in Christ and to become a citizen and representative of the kingdom of God—to experience the kingdom life now.
The expectation in GCI is that when people join a gathering of true believers, whether a Sunday service or a Love Avenue connect group, they will come into an environment where Jesus is worshipped. That means he is talked about, he is adored, he gets the glory, and his presence is experienced.
An old rock and roll artist from my era, Alice Cooper, said this, “I’ll tell you one thing, when Jesus opens your eyes, and you finally realize who you are and who he is, it’s a whole different world.” Amen, Alice!
Romans 1:16 gives us something to really think about. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (NRSVA)
The gospel was certainly powerful for Alice Cooper. It was powerful for my friends on that weekend in July, and I believe it is also powerful for your friends and neighbors, too. Jump in and have those Jesus conversations and see where they go!
Loving the Jesus conversations, Greg Williams
12 thoughts on “Jesus Conversations”
Thank you for sharing for reminding him about the savior.
This is phenomenal. Beautiful. Spot on.
Hi Dan -l certainly agree! l’m so thankful that we have this wonderful freedom in Christ now that allows us to share Him wherever we are & let’s us shine for HIM! We are so blessed.
Thank you, Greg–reality and relational friendships, such an enjoyable way to share the love of Jesus.
I’m 80 years old, and by the grace of God I’ve learned the importance of setting a good example to my friends, family and the community in general. Action speaks louder than words.
This is a good example of how and when to share our (your) faith! At every opportunity!
Thank you, it’s fine to know what can happen to believers.
It’s good to share these testimonies, and how we can share our faith in a natural way. But it’s also supernatural, as we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as these encounters occur.
That’s a wonderful shareable response to any positive comments – “I told my new friend that any good action of kindness that he sees in me is all due to Christ who lives in me.” This line has been added to my repertoire. Thanks for sharing interactions of where the rubber meets the road in your relationships, and bringing Jesus into the conversation. Your sharing is equipping the saints. Thanks again, Blessings, Roger
Thanks Greg for reminding me how to relate to my neighbors. Great writing. Bruce Metz
Once we are connected through the Holy Spirit to Jesus talking about our wonderful Savior becomes quite “natural”. In fact, the Spirit will always prompt us to share our Savior. In the Christian life there is no partition between the sacred/divine and the secular/profane. It is all about Jesus with us, in us, and through us. Our entire life is a Spirit led worship expression seeking to honor the Father and the Son in every situation.
Thanks, Greg – good stuff! Will be happy to share your “sharings!”
Thank you for sharing for reminding him about the savior.
This is phenomenal. Beautiful. Spot on.
Hi Dan -l certainly agree! l’m so thankful that we have this wonderful freedom in Christ now that allows us to share Him wherever we are & let’s us shine for HIM! We are so blessed.
Thank you, Greg–reality and relational friendships, such an enjoyable way to share the love of Jesus.
I’m 80 years old, and by the grace of God I’ve learned the importance of setting a good example to my friends, family and the community in general. Action speaks louder than words.
This is a good example of how and when to share our (your) faith! At every opportunity!
Thank you, it’s fine to know what can happen to believers.
It’s good to share these testimonies, and how we can share our faith in a natural way. But it’s also supernatural, as we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as these encounters occur.
That’s a wonderful shareable response to any positive comments – “I told my new friend that any good action of kindness that he sees in me is all due to Christ who lives in me.” This line has been added to my repertoire. Thanks for sharing interactions of where the rubber meets the road in your relationships, and bringing Jesus into the conversation. Your sharing is equipping the saints. Thanks again, Blessings, Roger
Thanks Greg for reminding me how to relate to my neighbors. Great writing. Bruce Metz
Once we are connected through the Holy Spirit to Jesus talking about our wonderful Savior becomes quite “natural”. In fact, the Spirit will always prompt us to share our Savior. In the Christian life there is no partition between the sacred/divine and the secular/profane. It is all about Jesus with us, in us, and through us. Our entire life is a Spirit led worship expression seeking to honor the Father and the Son in every situation.
Thanks, Greg – good stuff! Will be happy to share your “sharings!”