Streets of Memphis - Sharing Jesus

Last week a brother in Christ from my church and I went to 2 different areas in Memphis. We walked around and talked to people about Jesus. We had some interesting conversations, but none of them took us by surprise. What amazes me is that everyone's response to the word of God and the call for holiness by the Lord is the same. Here were some of the responses from people:

"I'm not living for God right now, but when I get ready then I will live for God."
"I know I'm not livng for Him right now, but I will when I get ready."
"I'm not going to play with God like that and that's why I'm not serving Him now."
"We're all sinners."
"Everybody has their sin."
"I know what the word says."
"I know where I'm suppose to be."
"No weapon against me...you know what it says."
"I don't go to church."
"I'm not going to church right now."
"I go to the church on....street."
"I go to what's the name of that church?"
"I've been living for Him all my life."

I can keep going, but the point is that these people are really lost. First of all, they are not living for Jesus period. Most of these statements came from people who were under the influence of one or more substances. Secondly, these people can only partially recite what they heard, not what they live. What you live is what you believe. And finally, these people are merely "associated" with Jesus in that they have went to church at least once before. They are as close to Jesus as the earth is from Jupiter.

The sad reality is that this is truly where the great majority of people are. Just because you show up in church does not mean anything. It's what's really on the inside of you that matters. And if you talk to them and look at the fruit of their lives you clearly see what's on the inside of them. What you talk about all the time and what you do only affirm what you have been doing with your time. It will come to the surface sooner or later. Mark 7:1-23 covers this.

The time we spent sharing Jesus on the streets of Memphis this day only reiterated the fact that time is running out and people are perishing by the works of their own hands, their own pride, their own ignorance, and their flat out rejection of Jesus and a refusal to live holy as God is holy and commanded us to live. 2 Peter 3:1-12 covers this. Hell is forever people and it's going to hurt in unfathomable ways. God is extreme in blessing and cursing. You can live forever in His glory and presence in worship, joy, and peace forever. Or you can burn in the smoke of your torment day and night with wheeping and gnashing of teeth and worms and demons forever. It's your choice.

I know what you are thinking. You are saying "I'm definitely going to be with Jesus in heaven not burning." Is your life proof of this to God? God's cameras and recording accountability system never shuts off. It's real time all the time. See you next blog.