I am confident they believed our dog, Brando, is the original hell hound. Brando greeted them with more than his usual barking and had to be dragged away from the door. He surely believed they were opposed to kibble and dogs sleeping in people beds. I wasn't expecting company and certainly wasn't dressed for it. Marge Simpson would have been more presentable on a bad day.
I saw the tracts through the window. Watchtower jumped out at me. Even in my discombobulated state, I was attempting to quickly retrieve all of the comebacks, retorts, and wisecracks that had been set aside in the dark recesses of my mind for this occasion. Yes, I would stoop to rudeness and sarcasm in the name of Christ. Then I opened the door.
I was greeted by Harry, who is legally blind, and his wife. Harry carried a cane with one arm and used the other to gently hold his spouse's arm as she guided him.
God never means for us to be sarcastic or rude when discussing Christianity with others. We are to show compassion, love and the truth. I am eternally grateful that the Holy Spirit overtook me at the right time. I did exemplify compassion and love.
When Mrs. Witness -- I regret not getting her name so I could pray specifically for her -- started her speech, I calmly let her finish. I told her we attend a local church that taught the Bible as it is written and as the Word of God. She mentioned the Jehovah's Witness translation, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, and urged me to study the true Word of God. I wanted to argue, to "put her in her place." A still small voice said I couldn't do that. My Witness was 80 years old for crying out loud.
I told her that while I do not proclaim to know everything, I do study and I use multiple translations. While God's Word is infallible, people are not. Language and cultural differences from Biblical times to the modern day make it difficult to understand Scripture sometimes; multiple versions help. I must have sounded convincing. She moved to her next topic.
"We're told to go out and spread the news," she said. "We certainly are, I replied." I told her I was familiar with the end of Matthew and referenced the Great Commission.
"19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, NIV.
She nodded and smiled. I reminded her that no religion can pick and choose which verses to follow. If you want this one, you take all of them. In context. It's a package deal. She nodded and said they had other homes to visit. I wished them well, and encouraged them to enjoy the beautiful Michigan weather. She nodded, and guided Harry off the porch and back to the car.
This encounter was not what I had planned. Because of God's intervention in my heart, it was better than anything I could have come up with. I wish I spent more time daily acting on my heart and less time responding with my quick wit and sarcastic tongue. I'm working on it. God's working on me.
I don't know if I made a difference in the lives of these two Jehovah's Witnesses. I know their version of Christianity, which really isn't Christianity, is flawed. I am not an expert, but I do understand the major stumbling blocks. Jehovah's Witnesses believe:
- There is no trinity.
- From Wikipedia, "Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable and interpret much of it literally, but accept parts of it as symbolic." The reference adds that statements from their elder board carry almost as much weight as the actual Scriptures.
- Their version of the Bible, New World Translation of the Scriptures, is the preferred version.
- They don't celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays, believing them to have pagan origins. Ironically, a former co-worker of mine who professed to be a devout Witness would not give gifts because it was against her religion. That same religion allowed her to graciously accept gifts.
Again, I am not an expert on what Jehovah's Witnesses believe. I felt it important to include a few differences between their believes and Christianity so readers will understand why I was so determined to be armed when they inevitably arrived. Unfortunately, I had prepped for military conquest when what was needed was love and kindness.
How often do we prepare for a situation in the wrong way? We assume the worst will happen, brace ourselves with harsh words and a stiff backbone. We forget that we can be resolute in our beliefs and stand firm in our convictions while still being nice.
Except in rare occasions -- when overturning the money-changers table in the tabernacle, for example, Jesus did not yell, scream and argue. And he was the message. I cannot find in the Bible where he raised his voice past rebuking. He talked. Jesus taught. Jesus set an example. That's what we are called to do. We should be going door to door telling people of Christ's love for them. We should be demonstrating Christ's love for them. Yes, doors will be closed. Some people will be sarcastic and rude. You might reach one, though.
Love. They will know we are Christians not because we tell them, but because we love.
I will leave you with this Biblical description of love, not a definition from Webster or Wikipedia. Which characteristics could you demonstrate this week?
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13, NIV
Go, make disciples.
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