I got this in an email I get daily, and it’s thought provoking. It’s kind of mind-twisting, but the very end of it makes sense. Granted, our lives should not neglect to tell of Christ, but I think there’s truth in what it’s saying.
The story goes about an evangelist on the streets of Las Vegas who was preaching and holding signs about the Gospel when a woman walked by and shouted: “I am a sinner and I am going straight to hell.” Cheers resounded from some people nearby who supported the sentiment.
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” the evangelist called out.
“I want it that way,” the woman called back over her shoulder.
Ironically, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was defending the evangelist’s right to be there based on laws of free speech, and here was this woman exercising her right to walk into hell with her head held high. It’s an awesome, God-given privilege to have the right to do this, and we need to defend that right, even though we know how tragic this is, just as the ACLU has to defend the evangelist’s right to the sidewalk if it is going to be consistent with its commitment to free speech. It’s remarkable how God has chosen to honor the dignity of human beings who reject him.
Think about it this way: God has not made the truth about his existence obvious to everyone. When Jesus came, you had to have “ears to hear” or you missed it. Why doesn’t God make himself more obvious to everyone? He is protecting the rights of those who don’t believe as well as those who do.
If God were obvious to everyone, you would be a fool for not believing. In which case, some might believe reluctantly or for the wrong reason. As it is, you are a fool for believing and those who believe can afford to look foolish because their faith confirms in them what they see but others don’t.
So this woman who wants to be a sinner going straight to hell should not be looked upon as an enemy, or some twisted, sick soul who is about to get what she deserves. Instead, she is an amazing human being made in God’s image and free to snub God or bow down before him. It’s her call.
You probably know somebody like this who frustrates you to no end. I bet the evangelist had at least the thought of using his sign to bang some sense into this woman. Instead, we need to honor and learn how to befriend people like this and respect their right to believe what they believe. By allowing for their unbelief, we may just be creating the environment that will encourage someone to believe. Hasn’t God done that with us?
Let’s discuss this in the comments.
-j
I'm Jason, and I like to write.
I think it’s an interesting topic, to be sure, and while I think it’s true the woman is not an enemy, I definitely think she is sick and twisted. WHatever happened to the natural fear of death, and the desire for intamacy with God? It would seem to me that, rather than simply making a decision, that woman said what is natural to her. While she may indeed be going to hell, I seriously doubt that she understands the severity of her words, or the depth of consequence to her choice, because if she did, she probably wouldn’t be so brazen about it. Also, while she may not really be an enemy of Christians per se, because she is just another lost soul, I have no misgivings that she was being used as a tool by the enemy, so is one indirectly, becasue of the reaction she caused in others when she said what she did. I don’t think she is to be hated for it, but rather pitied, and I think that it would be better to pursue people like that rather than to simply commend them to Satan and just say “Wow, she’s made in God’s image and has free choice. Isn’t it great that she made the wrong one?!” I think that an attitude like that would mean we are seriously misinterpreting God and free choice and our responsibility as christians.
Ok, now someone else needs to comment
sorry, to stress a point:
“So this woman who wants to be a sinner going straight to hell should not be looked upon as an enemy, or some twisted, sick soul who is about to get what she deserves. Instead, she is an amazing human being made in God’s image and free to snub God or bow down before him. It’s her call.”
YES, it’s her call, but she should probably make an informed decision. The Bible does say that he who has ears to hear, let him hear, but Christ also said that if they would see with their eyes and hear with their ears, then he would heal them (roughly remembered, that’s not literal text) Meaning, that this woman obviously isn’t listening. to just say “It’s her call” is lackadaisical and wrong, in my opinion. We are supposed to weep for her and pray with her and plead with her, so that seeds can be planted and eventually, God might give the increase. She has a choice, yes, but she needs to be exposed to God as much as possible if she’s gonna make the right one.
Sorry, I get excited and ramble
Hey jason- when are you blogging again? its been a while!
edit to add *Wow…Rob I totally wrote this comment before I saw that you had made that one this evening.
It’s about time I come back here and comment. Before I continue, I have to say I sometimes argue for the sake of discussion. That may or may not happen in my comment…we shall see.
I think the key thing he said was “By allowing for their unbelief, we may just be creating the environment that will encourage someone to believe.” There are many unknowns in the story: has this woman heard the Gospel before, what is her spiritual background, what did the street preacher say to her after she said that, etc. So this is what I take away from it.
I’ve found that most of the non-believing people I talk to are not non-believers simply because they’ve never heard the Gospel. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Maybe their faith was weak and they were won over by science (many say science and Faith cannot mix…I disagree, but that’s another discussion). Maybe they encountered the wrong set of “Christians” and were somehow encouraged to avoid the Church at all costs. Most people can’t wrap their heads around this idea of God, and their questions cause them to seek answers elsewhere. And then there are just people who find their own fulfillment in their lives and think Christians are a bunch of wackos that like to start wars in God’s name.
I seriously doubt this woman actually believes she’s going to Hell, therefore I would say she’s not sick and twisted. No more sick and twisted than the guy who goes to church his whole life and never feels like he can live up to God’s expectations. Know any people like that, ACC readers? Chances are she doesn’t believe in Hell and was only saying that to antagonize the preacher. We’re told stuff like that will happen to us. But I like how the author said that instead of treating lost sinners like outcasts, sick and twisted, destined for eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth, treat them like humans. If they don’t believe they’re in danger, you’ll never convince them they’re in trouble. Christ said “No man comes to me except the Father draws him” (John 6:44). That doesn’t mean we don’t plant seeds. And that doesn’t mean the person who is drawn will actually go. Our job is to present the Truth, not insult people, and quite often when I find myself questioning someone fiercely about their lack of faith in Christ, they’re insulted. They’re not a bunch of stupid, uninformed heathans, and as people have to be granted the right to their opinion (think about how irritated it makes you when people think you’re weak and unable to think for yourself because you’re a Christian…it’s the same thing). The best types of discussions are those where there is a mutual respect between the discussors. That’s when soil can be tilled and, by the work of the Spirit, made ready for seed. We plant the seed and God provides the increase.