Born Again (8)
John 3:3 (A)
Keeping in mind that "he knew all men," that "he knew what was in a man," and therefore that he knows what is in Nicodemus, verse 3 says, "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" Jesus is not saying this to a common criminal or some drunk on the street, but to an educated, powerful, and religious rabbi. And he says, "No one" – no one – "can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
When I was in college, I took a course from a professor of economics who was well-known for his participation in Christian inner-city and prison ministries. One day, he referred to himself as a "born again Christian" in his lecture as he was talking about his work with prison inmates, using them as examples to illustrate a point about economics and racial issues.
When the class was over, a classmate whom I had befriended asked if I would like to have lunch with him, and mentioned a certain restaurant. I recalled the meal that I had the last time I was there and instantly agreed. As we sat down and started to peruse our menus, he suddenly looked up and said to me, "What did he mean by born again?" What a delicious opportunity, to be asked a question like that.
Now, I am never one to shy away from a spiritual discussion, nor do I mind initiating one with a friend or stranger. But contrary to some, I disagree that I must always tell someone that I am a Christian as soon as possible no matter what. If it is clear that I am unlikely to meet the person again, then I would have a greater sense of urgency about it, but even then I know that I am not the only one whom God can use to speak to the person. (The doctrine of divine sovereignty does not undermine evangelism, but if it does not mean that God is sovereign, and that he does not need men or a particular man, then it means nothing.) However, if it is clear that I will have the opportunity to meet the person again, or even many times afterward, then I would often wait for the right opportunity, or at least take time to set up the conversation better when introducing the topic.
Do not misunderstand – I would not hesitate to bring up the gospel even at inconvenient times, nor do I think that we must be asked before preaching to people. Once I was doing street evangelism with a church in Hong Kong, and on this particular night, we had decided to enter a fast food restaurant and speak to the customers there one-on-one. Each of us would approach a table and speak to the diners about the gospel. Each conversation involved an explanation of Christianity and would often require a defense of it as questions and objections were raised. It would conclude with an invitation to visit the church to learn more, and if the people would accept them, we would always give them several audio cassettes to bring home. Sometimes a conversation would last for thirty minutes or more, and sometimes even more than a hour. So each of us could usually talk to only several people each night.
On this night, as I was looking for the final person to talk to, I spotted a young man sitting alone at the corner of the restaurant. I said that he was a young man, but he was perhaps ten to fifteen years older than I was, as I was even younger. As I approached, I noticed that there was a rose on the table, and he was writing slowly on a notepad. I went up to him and started to tell him about God, Jesus, and the gospel. Without looking up, he cried, "My girlfriend just broke up with me. Please leave me alone!" I looked over his shoulder – he was writing a letter to her girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend, to convince her to take him back. I could not make out what he wrote, but I noticed that there were tear stains on the paper.
I was not deterred, but went right on preaching to him. I was too young at the time to have any regard for the type of problem he was experiencing anyway. I continued, and at times he would respond to my probing questions through his tears, so that we actually had a conversation despite his reluctance. Finally, as he was not in the mood for a thorough spiritual discussion about his soul, I asked if I could give him a sermon tape, and he cried, "Leave it! Leave it!" I placed a tape on the table, patted him on the back, and left. As I thought about that incident, I realized that I could have done better, but I never regretted approaching him and talking to him despite his pain and reluctance.
(to be continued)
January 17 2006 | Expositions