Have you had times in your life where you witnessed to someone about your faith in Christ and they just don’t get it? They’re not interested, unwilling to see a need for Christ, or don’t seem to care. I’m sure you have. I certainly have too. And what feels the most heartbreaking is when that person is a brother, sister, parent, child, spouse, or best friend.
I often think where did I go wrong? How can I make them understand how much more wonderful life is with Christ? Did I say enough of the right things, or did I say the wrong things? Do my actions and life reflect to them a person living righteously for God?
While it’s good to stop and check ourselves to see if we are setting a good example, being loving, and being respectful whenever we share our faith, we don’t need to feel guilty if they don’t respond. Even though it’s hard when someone very close to us doesn’t accept salvation in Christ, we don’t have to carry the burden of the choice they make.
I was reminded of this today when reading Ezekiel’s call to be God’s spokesman. God called Ezekiel to be faithful in sharing His words to a rebellious and stubborn exiled people. He was to share the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. He was to speak whether they listened or not. And if they did not listen, Ezekiel was not responsible for their response. He was only responsible for staying faithful to God’s command to share the message.
In the same way, we are called to stay faithful in sharing the hope of Christ with others. However, acceptance is an individual choice that must be made by each of us. As much as I wish I could step in and make the choice to follow Christ for a loved one, it wouldn’t be a a very true and meaningful commitment if I did. And it is for that reason that God gives us free will when it comes to accepting that offer of grace.
So, we need to continue to love and pray for our loved ones without ceasing. Live out our faith in our daily lives to point to the goodness of Christ. And lay the burden of their response at Jesus’ feet.