They are not going to initiate a conversation about the Scriptures, they will generally be polite and listen, they may even interject a short sentence or two on the subject matter, but you can rest assured that you will be doing the majority of the talking.
This describes nearly every person I have met that professes to be born-again, I can recall very few times in my life since the Almighty called me to Himself that I have been with someone whose joy it is to speak of the Lord, of His Word and will, and in doing so, the hours have passed by like mere minutes.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
As what happened with Israel and the Law, a callousness towards salvation and the price that was paid for us seems to be the standard, long conversations focusing on praising, giving thanksgiving, even searching for answers that only the Almighty can give has gone by the wayside. The hour long, or longer sermon on Sunday morning, the same on Sunday night and many Wednesdays has given way to at best a twenty-minute presentation on Sunday morning and nothing else throughout the week, save for perhaps a Bible study where generally a time limit is set and those around the table are asked to keep all questions to the end and to keep them short.
The world, my friends, in many cases, is not just in the church anymore, it is the church.
As long as the sermon, or the conversation on the street, does not attempt to convict those listening, does not attempt to modify the thinking of those present, to transform their minds beyond the boundaries they themselves have set, the service will flow smoothly, and the one speaking to others on the street will not be ostracized from the group.
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” (Psalm 86:11)
Do not expect those you meet, either on the street, or even before or after the Sunday morning service to initiate a conversation based around the Scriptures, the majority of the time it will not happen, you must be the one who begins. And here you will find more difficulties than I have paper to expound upon.
Places to go, people to see, things to do, time is of the essence.
Saved by grace through faith? Perhaps.
More concerned with the world and their desires or obligations within it? Obviously.
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:2)
There is something amiss here that I cannot quite put my finger on, but this verse has come to mind on this topic.
“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10)
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)
I have, and I want more, I want hours long conversations about His ways, I want questions answered that only the Living God Himself can answer, I have a voracious appetite to know Him better, and my friends, a twenty-minute sermon is not going to quench my thirst.
Perhaps it is why all those books have accumulated on our bookshelf, overflowing it, written by men driven to know the Lord, satisfied only briefly, because there is so much of Him to know.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Prov. 8:17)
Many seem to have found Him, or perhaps as much of Him as they want, for so few seem to have a desire to spend long hours in conversation about Him, about His Word and His will for us. I am happy for them if all they want is to be a doorkeeper in His Kingdom, but, and I mean this in no disrespectful way, for me that is not enough.
Even if they will only converse with you for a few minutes, be the initiator, do not wait for someone else to begin those eternal conversations.
