I have been in ministry over 3 decades. Most of it in simple disciple making and establishing small fellowships.
(Not to testify of myself but provide a frame of reference.)
A.) Why are people avoiding serious religious discussion?
B.) Why are they uncomfortable with absolutes?
C.) Why do they think God just says believe something and it is good enough?
A.)
- What I have found is that most religious people are judgmental and critical.
- This hypocrisy is the main reason for peoples avoidance.
- There is a vast difference between spiritual people and religious people.
- Spiritual people operate in love from a heart of compassion
- Religious people judge and measure and evaluate others by some standard oft of their own idoloteristic design.
- The second reason is avoidance of conviction and accountability.
- A Saint with the Love of God coming out of their heart by the Holy Spirit will run into this.
- If they are mature and know the power of the cross, Jesus and Him crucified ... then they are likely not easily offended and in mercy help others get saved even if they are actively avoiding the Holy Spirit convicting them of sin righteousness and judgment.
- The key here in ministry is to not opt for license or greasy grace as some compensation for legalism; but to have the aggressive and compassionate heart of mercy that rejoices over judgment.
B.) God is Love. Jesus IS the way the truth and the life. God doesn't have to be religious ... well since He IS God and doesn't have to impress anyone.
- So Absolutes are a reality in many peoples belief structures as mine are stated above.
- This is why mercy triumphs and rejoices over judgement. We all need saving.
- Absolutes and presented in unrighteous weights and measures in contrast with Love and Mercy make people uncomfortable.
- So also truth shared without the commensurate grace and compassion is hard for others to receive.
- Remember Jesus was sent on a commission of "mercy and justice" because of Love and came full of Grace and Truth.
- This is the model for saints to operate in. (The Mercy Seat must be integral, ie-Christ jesus being at the center.)
C.) Belief is in the design of man. No artwork has been created without it and no baby has crawled without it.
- It is integral to being able to see and to have vision and to explore.
- In fact those who don't believe don't "see" and those who do; have their eyes opened.
- The issue here is the differences between believing and faith and how they operate.
- Asking seeking and knocking are in the realms of belief and acts of a soul that is searching and integral to the design of mankind.
- Once the door is opened the realms of faith and the Spirit are available. Faith is a living substance of hope and evidence of things not yet seen.
- God provides us His word that He is more than happy to back with His power to make things less confusing for those who hear.
- Literally Faith comes by hearing ................ and hearing; by that very Word.
- The key here is to know how to minister in a way that it is preaching Christ so that He sows His word in others and Reproduces after Himself.
- It is the only way to make a disciple.
In Summary:
I have seen a lot ... from Satanic ritual abuse victims "and worse" to the presence and power of our beloved Savior and His great Love.
I have come to realize that Love never fails. Compassion touches that misunderstood part of the heart of the wounded and oppressed.
They want Jesus when the meet Him. Except in rare occasions where there is a soul sold to the Devil and the "host" wants it ... people break and get broken by His Great Love.
They find it IS absolute regardless of their failings. The newagers seem to be the easiest. They talk the Christ Spirit a lot ... once they get to meet Him they usually get saved.
Those steeped in religion are the hardest. Oft crusted over dogma based on bad doctrine and death.
I believe boundaries and consequences are an obvious part of life and can be central to preaching as long as there is anointing and/or compassion.
Our Job is to introduce Jesus in humility, compassion, love, grace, mercy and truth. When done so; people seem eager to be set free and embrace the truth.
If not ... one sows and one waters and someone harvests. If not ... then still pour in the oil and wine, provide momentum and cover and safety and pay the bill; Jesus did.
(The 5 or 6 Principle of love, overcoming and occupying ... you know 2 Kings 13:18+ and Luke 10:25+)
George Sabin