Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Faith Talks Can Be Tough

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. -- James 5:19-20

He was raised in church. He makes it to Sunday school most weeks but he avoids actual church services. He blames it on many things. It’s easier to cast blame than to look inside.

I’ve tried to talk with him but the walls come up and quickly he shuts down. He blames the influence of contemporary services on the traditional services though they are completely separate and quite different. Every now and then he mumbles something about the pastor but refuses to repeat himself when I ask.

I’m not really sure what his problem is. I simply don’t know. I just know that something is keeping him out of that sanctuary on Sunday mornings. And it can’t be good.

I wonder if I should push the issue. It’s just too easy to walk away rather than face his anger. It’s more comfortable to put it off rather than push the issue today. But who am I protecting? Myself, of course.

And yet this is his life. His eternity. Because, you see, I’m beginning to wonder if he is really a Christian at all. I know. I’ve already said he was raised in church. He knows all the right things to say. But he seems to have a little bit of trouble really giving Jesus all the credit he deserves and that is a huge red flag for me.

So I procrastinate. I always back off when he gets angry. It’s just easier to talk about the weather, a new restaurant, anything but what matters most. Do you know what I mean? Having that conversation is never easy.

But we must. How can we not? I’ve prayed and asked for wisdom. I’m fairly certain God is calling me to get the pastor involved. You didn’t expect that did you? Are you thinking I’m just shifting my responsibility to someone else? I’m not. Because sometimes we aren’t the best person to talk to someone who is at a bad place. It’s doesn’t give us license to ignore it. Still, our goal should be reaching the other person in whatever way God leads us.

Have you ever considered how you might react in such circumstances? Or are you, like most of us, one to avoid anything confrontational when it comes to Jesus? We want to get along. We don’t want to get into a fight or cause hurt feelings. We’d just rather be nice.

But we aren’t called to be nice when it comes to someone’s soul. Sometimes we have to reach out despite the anger, the hurt, the despair, and say what needs to be said. Sometimes we need to bring in someone else. Sometimes we need to do it ourselves. But we aren’t to ignore it. There’s just too much at stake.