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b'READ: COLOSSIANS 4:2-6; TITUS 3:1-9\\n\\n\\n\\nI love Jesus, and I love talking to people about Jesus. I always have. But I\\u2019ve definitely made some mistakes in how I tell non-Christians about Him. So, I\\u2019m going to confess some of these mistakes\\u2014and what God has taught me through them.\\n\\n\\n\\nOften, I would spend a lot of time and energy trying to get people to believe in particular theological stances rather than the gospel. I would try to argue people into believing in a literal six-day creation (a position not all Christians agree on) instead of telling them about Jesus\\u2019s incredible love for them, and the miracle of His death and resurrection. I would try to convince them of the benefits and importance of waiting to have sex until marriage instead of talking about Jesus\\u2019s forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I would try to correct a person\\u2019s behavior instead of introducing them to the One who could heal their hearts. And perhaps worst of all, I would push for political stances instead of welcoming people into the good news of the kingdom of God.\\n\\n\\n\\nFriends, this didn\\u2019t work. At all. I pray that the Holy Spirit used these conversations, in spite of my mistakes, to draw people to Himself. But let\\u2019s not waste our energy expecting non-Christians to think and act like Christians. Conversations about creation, sex, and politics have an important place in our lives\\u2014especially when we listen well and seek to understand different perspectives\\u2014but let\\u2019s not confuse these conversations with the gospel.\\n\\n\\n\\nFor me, learning this truth meant letting go of control and accepting that I cannot fix people, and I cannot change hearts. Only Jesus can do that. And when I try to change people myself, I\\u2019m trying to take over for the Holy Spirit and do God\\u2019s job myself. Only God can bring people to faith. I had to repent of my desire for control and accept my limits as a human being. As I\\u2019m learning to accept this truth, I\\u2019m growing in my ability to talk about Jesus in a way that flows from the joy and peace I\\u2019ve found in Him, rather than from a fear-filled, self-righteous desire to control people.\\n\\n\\n\\nJesus is amazing. The gospel is incredible. When we let the truth of God\\u2019s love for us and the hope of Jesus\\u2019s resurrection permeate our lives and our hearts, we can show people what the gospel looks like. And that is more powerful than any argument. \\u2022 Taylor Eising\\n\\n\\n\\n\\u2022 How has the hope of the gospel affected your life? What are some ways you could share this?\\n\\n\\n\\nLive wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 (NLT)'