5. Listening to someone may encourage them to listen to you.
Slide 4 of 5
One thing I’ve learned in life is that everyone has a story. There’s a reason we make choices and decisions. I’ve also learned that the less we know about someone’s story, the easier it is to judge them. For example, how many people do you know who don’t know Jesus? You probably know quite a few, and maybe even some in your family. You probably treat strangers very differently.
It’s easy to criticize from afar when you’ve never had a relationship with someone. But when you know someone, your first instinct is usually to engage, not criticize. Getting to know and listening builds trust. When someone trusts you, it creates an opportunity for them to listen to what you have to say. This may not create the change you initially hoped for, but knowing they know you love and care creates a scenario where you can speak the truth and plant the seed.
6. Focus on bringing people closer, not pushing them away.
It was the Pharisees who complained the most about Jesus eating with sinners. If we had left it to them, no one would have been saved. We cannot be like the Pharisees. When we act like them, we push people away and close doors. But when we love like Jesus, we draw people close and open doors. A few chapters after the dinner at Levi’s house we see that:
“Now all the tax collectors and sinners came together to hear him. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law murmured, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.'” Luke 15:1-2
Jesus accomplished his purpose. He opened doors so that those who were far from Him could hear Him. Again, notice who it was that complained…the Pharisees. The more we reach out to people and build relationships with them, the more doors will open for us. This doesn’t mean they’ll all come, and it doesn’t mean that you approve or agree with their choices. It just means that you care about them enough to do all you can to reach out to them. If you approach it like the Pharisees, the fact remains that you won’t have a chance to reach anyone.
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