How we speak to people about the Gospel is very important. If we believe that the Gospel and the Scriptures are Words of life like Jesus said -“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. ” (John 6:63, NIV84) … if we truly believe that, then we must recognize the honor, privilege and great responsibility we have. ” For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. ” (1 Thessalonians 2:2–4, NIV84) Every opportunity that we have with someone is an opportunity to help that person walk closer and more fully into the Grace and Love of Jesus.
Jesus understood the value of each individual person. Each one was created in the image of God. Each one was someone He came to live for and to die for. Each one has a unique purpose in God. Each one brings something special to God in their worship of God. Jesus knew that not everyone was in the same place of their understanding of God. The Pharisees thought they knew God and Jesus had to speak strongly in order to show them what they lacked. Mary who cried over the feet of Jesus was embraced with great compassion. The crowds were addressed in parables. The disciples were taught. Jesus followed a principle, “Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ” (Mark 4:33, NIV84)
Some people do not yet have a relationship with Jesus. It would be wrong to expect that they will understand the message spoken in a Sunday morning church service filled with people who have believed for many years. However we can still share God’s truth with them. Our goal should be to help everyone take another step closer to Jesus. Not one of us has yet arrived.
Today I had an opportunity while waiting in line to check out at the store. The woman in front of me had a total of exactly $74.00. She was excited. The cashier laughed and said out loud that the number $74.00 happened twice today and she was wondering what that meant. The lady in front of me said she should buy a lottery ticket. I suggested that perhaps God wanted to bless her in 74 different ways. When I mentioned the blessing of God, the cahiers face brightened and she said “I receive that!” As I closed my sale, I reminded the cashier to watch for the blessings of God. I encouraged her to look a little more closely for God. I trust that another Christian will give her some more truth “as much as she can understand”.
Don’t shove truth down people’s throat that they cannot yet understand. All truth is God’s truth, but some of us can only handle small pieces. Just like a baby who has a very simple diet of food and then grows up to be able to eat true meat, so we all grow spiritually. “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. ” (Hebrews 5:12–14, NIV84)
I will not condemn anyone who is trying to understand God’s truth. I will proclaim the truth that they can understand as much as they can understand.
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