Are We Supposed to be Arguing for Jesus or Serving Him?

There is a passion for souls that does not spring from God, but from the desire to make converts to our point of view.

-Oswald Chambers


I doubt that good debate ever saved one soul. But Chambers is right; we are often guilty of trying to convince people about Jesus instead of introducing them to Jesus.

We think it's all about us. We want to be right.

When we think this way, we actually get in the way of anyone seeing Jesus in us at all. Truth is not relative. Truth is truth, but it rings empty without love.

Are we supposed to be arguing for Jesus or serving him?

I am an arguer by nature. I love to debate. I am very guilty of losing the eyes of Jesus for the sake of proving him right.

When it comes to doing his work, serving others, I am usually timid and second-guess everything. It should be so much more pleasing to serve.

But I guess our enemy wants us to feel differently. He wants us to feel really good about blowing hot air so that we stay out of the business of being hands and feet. When we decide to reach out in love, he will always make us feel afraid.

Overbearing.

Not good enough.

It's much more comfortable to throw bombs and duck for cover under my apologetics than to stand in the midst of an evil world and offer love.

I'm not even sure that I always know how; but I don't think that is an excuse.

What about you?

Have you struggled with your motives in telling people about Jesus? Have you found an effective way to serve?