Why Can’t My Friend Just Leave People Alone?

Q: My best friend is someone I’ve known my whole life, but wherever we go he is constantly asking people if they want to be saved. Why can’t he just leave people alone, especially when they seem happy with life? — I.F.

A: Who doesn’t want to be saved? Think about it. The majority of people love to hear a true story about being saved. Social media platforms light up when a search and rescue account is posted. People retweet videos and post pictures of heroes that rush into burning buildings and pull victims out of the fire, or save children out of rushing waters. Most people hope that if they find themselves in dangerous situations, someone will come to their rescue. Some Christians may not always present the salvation message in the most tactful way but the Bible says, “He who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). D. L. Moody walked the streets of Chicago talking to people about salvation.

From a spiritual view, many reject rescue because they don’t want to humble themselves. We seldom stop to realize that when we are rescued from something, we are also saved for something. When we are rescued by someone, we are indebted to the one who has saved us from disaster, impending doom, and perhaps death itself. The One who came to save us is none other than Jesus Christ the Savior. No other human being, no matter how selfless or brave, can rescue us from the certainty of eternal death. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be saved; that we have no hope of rescue. It just means we need to be clear about who really saves us (John 5:24). God bless those who care enough about the souls of others. Nothing bad comes from being saved.

========

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.