This verse really hit me hard just now in light of evangelism.
The other night a friend of mine was open air preaching in San Bernardino. I noticed a young man who listened for a while, then he turned and began to walk away. I followed and tapped him on the shoulder.
Me: "Hey, I noticed you were listening to that guy. I just wanted to give you this gospel tract. It's a summary of what he was talking about."
Young Man: "Yeah, thanks... I know alot of the people listening didn't really care, but I do......"
So began the conversation. His name was Manuel, he used to go to church when he was a kid. Manuel had just been released from jail, where he had been reading the bible and following the Lord. He was now afraid that he was heading back towards sin, crime and life without God. I guess it's easier to follow Christ in a jail cell, it's alot harder on the outside where temptations are everywhere.
To sum up a very long conversation, I made sure he understood what he had heard about the law and the gospel. I encouraged him to trust Jesus. By the end of the conversation he was planning on going back to his old church, and he was thanking me for talking to him.
I can't help but think about the verse above as it pertains to Manuel. Our encounter may have been the very turning point in his life, the thing that saves his soul from death and covers a multitude of future crimes/sins.
You have no idea what the strangers around you are going through. You have no idea how much you are needed. Don't be afraid, just open your mouth and let it out.
Turn them back.
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