When Witnessing is a Waste of Time

[rockytopva]

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. - Acts 22

 

[Psalty]

Seems to me that none of those were waste of time!

 

[rockytopva]

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. - Galatians 4:11

 

[Silverhair]

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. - Acts 22

“There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.” Augustine

That is why were are told

Mar_16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

 

[rockytopva]

It also helps when one has the feeling of an "Open Door"

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. - Colossians 4

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. - Acts 16

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. - Acts 18:9-10

 

[Salty]

I stopped and talked to a lady at the car wash one day.
After talking a few minutes - she stated that the only important part of the Bible
were those verse written in red. (ie words o Jesus).
I explained to her that the writers of the Gospel did not have any red pens.
After, a few minutes, I told her that it looked like we were not getting anywhere and I left.

What would you have done.

 

[Ascetic X]

I stopped and talked to a lady at the car wash one day.
After talking a few minutes - she stated that the only important part of the Bible
were those verse written in red. (ie words o Jesus).
I explained to her that the writers of the Gospel did not have any red pens.
After, a few minutes, I told her that it looked like we were not getting anywhere and I left.

What would you have done.

I might tell her that the red letter words of Jesus are extremely important, but so are the black letter scripture verses that tell us about Jesus. I might also ask her to quote a red letter verse from memory.

John 1:1 and Romans 10:9 are black letter verses that immediately come to mind.

 

[rockytopva]

I stopped and talked to a lady at the car wash one day.
After talking a few minutes - she stated that the only important part of the Bible
were those verse written in red. (ie words o Jesus).
I explained to her that the writers of the Gospel did not have any red pens.
After, a few minutes, I told her that it looked like we were not getting anywhere and I left.

What would you have done.

I worked with corporate folks in a large corporation on engineering projects in which I would operate the machinery they designed. I would also attend programming classes at the local community College. I have heard of folk so smart they won't even talk to you.

1. They pause
2. Give you a strange look
3. And then keep on going

There are personalities out there where that is fitting!

 

[Silverhair]

I stopped and talked to a lady at the car wash one day.
After talking a few minutes - she stated that the only important part of the Bible
were those verse written in red. (ie words o Jesus).
I explained to her that the writers of the Gospel did not have any red pens.
After, a few minutes, I told her that it looked like we were not getting anywhere and I left.

What would you have done.

I never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to prick their conscience after I walk away.

I will speak to anyone about their salvation but I will not argue with them as it just entrenches the views they fight to defend.

 

[Ascetic X]

I never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to prick their conscience after I walk away.

I will speak to anyone about their salvation but I will not argue with them as it just entrenches the views they fight to defend.

I agree about the uselessness of arguing. You cannot reason anyone into faith. Debates with atheists are pointless, because Jesus said the cause of their unbelief is their love of darkness. They refuse to give up favorite sins. It is not that they do not have sufficient evidence for God’s existence.

Scriptures command us to never quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

2 Timothy 2:23
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.