One day this past week (5/23/2012) between 5:00-6:00 PM, I was out on the street with the cross. A young man (college age) approached and began to take a photograph with his phone, I attempted to hand him a gospel tract, he was aloof, and refused to except it, but when he saw that he would not get his photograph until excepting the tract he took it, I stepped back, he got his photograph and departed. Later that evening my daughter told me that my picture was on the internet, the picture had appeared on her facebook news feed with several derogatory remarks. So, later that night I contacted the young man by facebook messaging and here is that conversation. I have changed his name to Sam and corrected a couple of my own misspellings, but otherwise the conversation is as it was that evening. I give you this conversation for three reasons: First and for most to glorify Jesus Christ; secondly as an example, as how not to get distracted in staying focused on the gospel, because it is not our words that save, it is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation; and thirdly, so that my brothers and sisters in Christ will pray on Sam’s (not his real name) behalf.
Here is that conversation:
Mike Peek
o Sam, even though I don't know you I love you, and that is why I am taking the time to write you now, and that is why I am out on the street were people are. The bible says, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment”. Are you ready to face God in judgment? God has given us a Holy set of scripts, His law by which we can judge ourselves to see our standing before God; before that impending Day of Judgment.
I have four questions to ask you:
1. Have you ever told a lie, even once?
2. Have ever stolen anything, regardless of its value, taken anything at all that didn’t belong to you without the owner’s permission?
3. Have you used God’s name in vain, used the names of God in place of a curse word or used His names without reverence?
4. What we are doing here is going through a few of God’s Ten Commandments; the 7th says do not commit adultery. In bringing light to this commandment Jesus said, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Have you looked at another person with lust?
Now that is just four of God’s Holy Ten Commandments with another six to go; how are you doing? The bible says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”; you’re probably saying to yourself, “Everyone sins, who hasn’t broken these commandments?” And you would be right, but that doesn’t make it ok. I once thought the same way, because God is a loving God right, He will just forgive us of our sins, right? God is a loving God, and God is merciful; but God is also righteous, Holy, and a just judge. God hates sin and His law says that if you sin (break His law) you will die. “For the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” The bible says that no thief, no adulterer shall enter the kingdom of God and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. To be cast out of the kingdom of God into the lake of fire and brimstone, that is hell my friend and that is what awaits everyone who has broken the laws of God.
God is love, and God is merciful, but before He could be merciful to sinful man God’s justice and righteousness had to be served. Sin had to be dealt with, His law says; if you sin, you die. Man sinned so a man has to die. So what did God do so that He could be both just and merciful? He became a Man, Jesus of Nazareth. He was fully Man, borne of the Virgin Mary; and He was fully God, conceived of by the Holy Spirit. He had to be fully Man, because man sinned, man had to die; He had to be fully God because, “Salvation is from the LORD.” He is the Son of God, He is the Son of Man; fully God and fully Man. He never sinned; He never broke one of God’s laws and was completely obedient to God the Father from birth to His death at the command of God the Father on the cross. He was the perfect offering for sin; God the Father poured His wrath out on Him as a Man for the sins of man, He died and was buried, then He rose again the third day from the grave proving who He was; the Son of God. Because He rose from the grave we know that sin has been dealt with, God’s wrath for sin has been satisfied, justice has been done, and He can now have mercy on man. God’s free gift is everlasting life to all who repent from their sins and put their faith alone in His only Son, Jesus Christ.
You and I are facing the physical death of our bodies and when that happens, you and I will face God in judgment, giving an account of everything we have thought, said, and done in this life. God’s law demands justice, someone broke His law, so someone has to die “and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” There is only one sacrifice that is acceptable to God the Father for Sin; the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. I know when I come before the thrown of God I will be clinging to the Son of God and His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins; how about you? “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no once comes to the Father but through Me.” All who repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus Christ are forgiven; all who reject the Son of God remain in their sins and will die in their sins. Repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone and you will be saved.
Sam
o You argument is invalid, because it is one source vs. my 2354+ sources that say we came from apes and developed genes, through evolution, to suppress the fear of death. And our clever brains had the ability to come up with the idea of a An afterlife and the rest is history. I appreciate your diligence when pursuing something, but don't you dare think for one second you have the RIGHT to tell me what is true and false. In the bigger picture of things there is no way you can prove your side and science is 20 steps closer to proving their clause, so before you go around telling people you love them, and that this is how life is, maybe you should dig deep into the science community and understand both sides fully, before you making assumptions about what one book said hundreds of years ago. Just because it's old doesn't make me right. Of course if you have read this far you would think that this is a hateful message towards you, and yes some parts it is, however, I am simply engaging in the same type of conversation format YOU started the conversation with. I am far more educated than you think I am, so it would be unwise to continue the conversation. I know your side and you know mine. End of conversation.
Sincerely,
Sam
Mike Peek
o Are you an Atheist?
Sam
o Do you know when the end is?
o Wait, I will play your game. Yes, I am.
Mike Peek
o “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
Sam
o So do you personally think that all life is coming to an end soon?
Mike Peek
o No Sam. The word of God doesn't say that. But a time is coming when all of creation will be judged. Sam the bad news is you have sinned, we have all sinned, broken the laws of our creator. God has written his law on your heart, without even being taught you as a small child knew that it was wrong to steal, lie, or hit another child. God has written His laws on your heart and you will give an account, but you need not have to. Christ took the punishment for your sins Himself and God can legally forgive your sins so long as you repent and believe the gospel. Sam its good news.
Sam
o Good news? If Jesus Died for our sins why is a current problem today? To my understanding, everyone after him would be sin free because of the deed he performed. Or are you taking that passage figuratively? Because you seem like a man who takes every word of the bible in its most literal sense. So if we go by the literal sense, he literally meant there would be no more sins because he died for them. Or is my logic flawed?
Mike Peek
o It's flawed. You are talking about sinless perfectionism. Nowhere in the bible is that indicated. Jesus paid the penalty for sin. The righteous requirements for the law have been met. There will be a time when all sin is put away, the new heaven and new earth. Next time you see me out why don't you come by and talk?
Sam
o The penalty for sin? So when I am told, by a street preacher such as yourself or one in the church, and they tell me that Jesus Died for my sin, Wouldn't that be a huge lie?
Why should I believe that person if they can't even get the selling point of their entire religion?
Mike Peek
o Sam. God displayed Him publicly as a propitiation, by His blood through faith. (see Romans 3:25). Faith is required. Propitiation means a great deal, I wrote a blog on it, might interest you. http://mikepeek.blogspot.com/2012/04/mercy-way-more-than-i-ever-thought.html
Sam
o Mike, I understand you are trying to do the right thing in your eyes, by trying to make me see what you see. In all honesty, nothing you can say or do will make me believe in what you believe in. I have done countless numbers of research into this. So telling me these things means nothing to me.
Mike Peek
o Sam you are correct I can never argue anyone into the kingdom of God. My job is to preach the gospel, salvation is of the Lord. Jesus said: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:44). I hope the Lord blesses you, come by and talk with me anytime.
Sam
o I will decline the invite. But thank you.
The conversation ended. Please pray for Sam, not his real name but the Lord will know who you are talking about; don’t forget you were once lost in your sin.
The word of God gives no room for atheism in fact the atheist claims with his mouth that God does not exist but his actions tell a different tale. There are God haters’ yes, but there are no atheist.
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21)
“Repent and believe in the gospel”
Mike Peek a slave of Jesus Christ
