Seven Passions: Faith-Based Conversations

Today I'd like to take a little closer look at the second identified core passion as seen in the first Church by George Barna in Revolution, remembering that as we live our this Revolutionary life this will be one of our passions as well.

Faith-Based Conversations

Just as Jesus was intractable in His pursuit of us, we are called upon to share His love with those who have not yet understood it or embraced it...The evangelistic efforts of the first believers were carried out through preaching, low-key/high-impact conversations about truth and purpose, prayer, performing miracles to foster the opportunity to discuss the Source of their power, and the joy-filled perspective they had toward God and life that created interest in their lives. (p22)

I like Barna's use of the word intractable here. If you click on that link you'll find a myriad of synonyms which all lead us to the simple truth that Jesus had his mind made up and no one, or nothing, was going to change that! He was here to pursue us - period! What resolve!

As we are called to be no less intractable when it comes to our pursuit of others (remember that whole "Go and make disciples" charge?), we need to be on constant alert looking for opportunities to share with those around us. Do I mean "pressure evangelism" or attacking people with the Gospel? NO! That's not what Barna is talking about and that's not what we see in any Biblical example.

I'm talking about having a love for people at the core of our being that causes us to want to share our hope with them -- the hope that comes from our relationship, our followship, with Jesus. Doesn't that sound simple? I know it's not. It's not for me either. But we need to become passionate lovers of people...passionate pursuers...passionate sharers. Through the sharing of our passion people will be touched with the love of Jesus. Through meeting their needs, their hearts will be softened to Him. Their lives will be changed and we will have be given the opportunity to play a part in that process!

Are there faith-based conversations we could have with anyone we might encounter today?