Gò0dNews for Everyone Confessions From a Former Battering Ram by Kristen West
I
have a confession. There was a time in my life when
So gracious. So thoughtful. So polite. No spiritual
I aggressively tried to shove Bible verses down
wrecking ball tactics. No breaking down the door.
people’s throats in an effort to bring them to Jesus.
Just courtesy, respect, kindness, and patience. Jesus
It didn’t work out really well (imagine that), and I
modeled it beautifully. We don’t read about Him
didn’t have a large circle of friends (go figure). But in
feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and teaching the
my passion for wanting others to “see the truth,” I felt
attentive crowds while trying to ramrod His divine
compelled to be this overly zealous.
insights into their heads.
This zeal was magnified with the pressure that
More than that, there’s no record of panic,
it somehow fell to me to make people agree with
surprise, or shock as He spoke such life-giving
“the truth” before parting ways. It took years of God
words to people who chose not to listen to Him in
chipping away at that very distorted mindset to help
the moment. He just spoke truth. The Holy Spirit
me see that He doesn’t treat people like that. Why
knocked. What the listener did with that truth was
should I?
between them and God.
The Holy Spirit never shows up at the door of our hearts with a battering ram. He’s a gentleman.
That’s an invaluable lesson that anyone who professes to be a Christ-follower should hold close to their hearts. We can’t—
He knocks. If we don’t answer, He
and don’t—save anyone. We simply
goes away and waits for another
share the truth. The Holy Spirit
opportunity to knock again.
does the knocking. God does
“Behold, I stand at the door and
the saving.
knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
About The Author
(Rev. 3:20, NKJV).
20 // July 2022
Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.
