. . . always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. (1 Pet 3:15)
The most basic reactions to seeing the cult member on your sidewalk is either “I hope they skip my house” or if you have to talk to them, “I already have my own religion but I thank-you for coming anyway”. There is no doubt that talking to them can be very intimidating, for many times they seem to know more than we do and are so well trained and polished. I mean, could we just as easily go to a neighborhood and boldly and confidently go door to door and present the claims of Jesus Christ with chapter and verse? Some of us could, but let’s be honest, many of us just couldn’t. So do we just strike out here and give up? Would we do more for the truth than the cult member would do for a lie? Here’s some things to consider:
1) It is more important to know your Bible than to know theirs. (2 Tim 2:15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2) Share in love and don’t strive. (2 Tim 2:24-26) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
3) Just tell them the gospel (good news) of Jesus. (1 Cor 15:3-4) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
4) Don’t get sidetracked with incidentals - (1 Cor 2:2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
5) Know that only God can open their blind eyes through prayer - (Mat 16:17) . . . flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
The cult members help us Christians define what we believe, so in that way they do us a service. They are sincere people but we’d have to say they are sincerely wrong. But let’s not forget they are souls for whom Christ died. Many of them are good and noble people and great family folk. Let’s not knock them; let’s pray for them. The cult members are bold and determined but don’t give up on them. Remember Paul was so opposed to the cause of Christ, but the Lord was able to reach him, and boy did he do a U-turn! (Acts 9) God is able . . . and His truth keeps marching on!!
Louie
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