A useful tool to share the gospel in a non-confrontational way
I recently was given a book by Miranda Hale: “Things We All Have in Common”. Miranda setup a bookcase at her wedding reception, offering a free book to all who attended. Fortunately for her guests, Miranda works for a company, (“Ten of These”) that sells Christian books. As I looked at this vast section of books, the book, I am reviewing now, caught my eye. I hoped this would be a good book to give to my mother-in-law. My wife and I have been sharing the gospel with her for many years. She is an avid reader of many books throughout the year, but not the Bible.
As I scanned this little book, I realized it would indeed be a useful tool to share the gospel in a non-confrontational way. I decided to read the book on the flight to New York so that when I arrived, I could discuss it with her. I did not finish the last two chapters of the book on the airplane; this turned out to be providential. The following morning my mother-in-law came into the room where I was doing my quiet time and asked me what I was reading. I gave her a quick overview of the book and I told her I really liked the book and was going to give it to her when I was finished with it which I did. The following day, she told me that she had read the first two chapters and was going to finish the book.
As I read this book, I found that the Gospel was presented in a way I had never used. The book’s main premise is that although we are all different, in this diversity, we all have many things in common. Things that we all need like, food, water, shelter, relationships, to belong and to be loved. The author, Pete Jackson examines various aspects of what we call ‘the human condition’ – things that are common to us all – and reflects on how Jesus Christ addresses our nature.
This book, in 12 short chapters, shows some of the things we share and then presents an invitation that is open to all. That invitation is clear in telling us that God created us with all the attributes that we have, yet many people do not acknowledge God and the Savior He sent to save us! The last two chapters cover the plan of salvation in a clear and non-threating way and recommend what you should do if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior.
I persist in praying for my wife’s mother and family, and do not know if my mother-in-law has or will come to a saving knowledge of Christ. I do know that God loves her and wants her to come to Him.
Gene
