It was another beautiful day for evangelism in the San Diego hamlet of City Heights. I began walking through an alley when I saw eight individuals standing in the distance.
Eight Souls
Five of them on the right side of the alley and three on the left. On the right side there were two men talking, a man and woman embracing and a man standing by himself with a scowl.
On the left side of the alley directly across from them were three men in conversation.
The first two men I approached on the right side of the alley only spoke Spanish so I did the best I could to share Jesus with them in my limited Spanish. I then handed them a tract in the Spanish language and walked across the alley to speak with the other three men.
The Alley Pulpit
The names of the three men are Carlos, Luis and Luis. At first Carlos looked perturbed sipping his Colt 45 as I began to speak. However, his countenance changed over the next few minutes. In fact, all three gentleman patiently listened to me speak for several minutes and accepted the Gospel of John tract I gave them.
As I finished, Luis pointed across the alley and said, “you need to speak to him, his name is Emmanuel.”
Throw Caution To The Wind
Emmanuel was a hard looking dude. He was wearing baggy jeans, a white ribbed tank-top scantily covering his heavily tattooed bronze skin. He was bald with a goatee.
In jest, I asked Luis if it was safe to speak with Emmanuel. I said it in jest but I was also kind of serious. Luis said, “Yeah, go ahead.”
So I threw caution to the wind and walked toward Emmanuel.
Next I noticed everyone scattered and it was only me and Emmanuel in the alley.
Looks Are Only Skin Deep
Emmanuel looked like a guy who could inflict some pain if so inclined but he too patiently listened to the presentation of the Gospel. He agreed that he was a sinner but he was less sure whether his sin, if not repented of, would eternally separate him from God.
I admitted to him that this is a tough reality to accept but that it is nevertheless true. Then I prayed with him, asking God to open Emmanuel’s eyes to the truth of the Gospel that he would receive the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. I handed him a Gospel of John tract and walked away.
Please join me in praying that the Holy Spirit will convict Emmanuel of his sin and lead him to faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. I would love to see Emmanuel again in heaven!
The Great Commission
There are many people all around us just like Emmanuel. They are willing to admit they are sinners but not willing to believe that there is an eternal consequence for their sin.
The sad truth is that many self admitted sinners will die in their sins and suffer the consequence.
That’s why it’s up to people like you and me to cast caution to the wind and to do whatever it takes to share the Gospel with the world around us.
May The Lord Richly Bless You!
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