Punched for the Gospel

“You hit me, lady!” was my response to the Jehovah’s Witness who punched me in the arm for disagreeing with her beliefs about God.

I was mowing my lawn when she and a young girl approached me. As she quickly launched into her canned presentation I knew what to expect. I had studied a lot about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their denial of the deity of Christ and belief that salvation must be earned.

After she gave her talk, I kindly expressed to her how God’s grace had transformed my life. I shared the joy I had found in knowing God loved me, not based on my good works, but on what Christ did for me on the cross.

Compelled by love, I asked her, “Why would I try to earn something that God has graciously given me for free?” That’s when she socked me. I think it shocked the young girl who was with her as much as it did me.

Religion can make people mean. Perhaps its the burden of having to perform to merit God’s favor. JWs have to log and report to headquarters how much time they have spent promoting their faith. I give them credit for their dedication. If God leads someone to go door to door, that’s great. What’s more important however is having the right message and the right motive.

The right message is: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The right motive is: “we try to persuade others. . . For Christ’s love compels us.” 2 Corinthians 5:11,14

Love must be the motivation behind our evangelism. If this precious lady had been compelled by love to talk to me, she wouldn’t have hit me for disagreeing with her message, for love “is not easily angered.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

We are all called to be witnesses for Christ. I think of it more as being a reporter of good news. A news reporter doesn’t tell people what to do. Their job is to announce what has already been done! Have you heard the news?

The good news is that God is in love with us sinful, selfish humans, and He proved it once and for all by dying for our sins. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. We’ve been forgiven! On top of that, He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live like Christ. It’s all a gift! Now we get to report this wonderful news to others, for Christ’s love compels us.

I’ll keep speaking and writing about the love of Christ. I can’t help it! It’s been poured into my heart and it spills out at the most unexpected times. Sometimes I might make people mad and get punched in the arm. If thats the worst I ever suffer for preaching the good news, I will be thankful!

“Christ’s love compels us” 2 Corinthians 5:14