Reaching Out in Love

I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22

When it comes to sharing our faith, we sometimes will spend a lot of time getting answers down pat to questions people may ask. But we should never come across as preprogrammed robots. It would do a lot more good if, instead of just rattling off information, we would show a little compassion, a little love. People can tell when we care about them.

That is what is so beautiful about the way Jesus dealt with people. He took time with them. Of course, there are circumstances in which we cannot sit down with someone and get to know them. But if you have the luxury of time, take it. When you have the opportunity, take the time to talk to people.

When I am traveling and am seated next to someone on a plane for five hours, I don't usually pull out my Bible and say, "Hi. You just got seated next to a preacher!" Instead, we will talk a little bit. I will ask them about themselves and get to know them. They will usually get around to asking, "So, what do you do for a living?" Building a relationship with someone is very important.

Jesus, the Master Communicator, modeled this for us. He spoke directly to the religious man, Nicodemus, who supposedly had all the answers. Rather than rebuke the woman at the well for her sin, Jesus appealed to her spiritual thirst. This was the apostle Paul's strategy when he said, "To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22).

It is important to remember that Jesus reached out in love to people. And we should do the same.

Jimmy Turner