W hat was it about this atheist’s friend that finally won him over to Christ? What finally made him believe?
No Excuse
[1]When people deny the existence of God, they are only denying the obvious. The psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). It’s almost as if creation itself testifies of God as “Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:2). The Apostle Paul was clear about the obvious existence of God when he wrote that “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Rom 1:19-20). This means, we are all without excuse for denying God’s existence, but that doesn’t mean it’s our job to try to convince someone.
No Pushing
We cannot make people believe by cramming evidence down their throat. God never forces Himself on anyone, and I don’t think we should either. It’s not up to us to prove to them that God exists. Inwardly, they already know so they have no excuses (Rom 1:20). We cannot try to take the place of God Himself Who alone reveals Who Christ is (Matt 16:17). We do not call or draw men to Christ. We tell them about Christ. Saving souls is God’s work (John 6:44), but He is pleased to use us as a means by His Spirit and by His Word to save some.
Atheist to Theist
Since we know that God exists, perhaps it is pride that may be blocking an atheist’s or agnostic’s admission to that fact. For others, it’s the idea that they don’t want to give up their sin. They might have what they think are legitimate reasons, but at one time, we were all ungodly, wicked sinners who were God’s enemies (Rom 5:6-10). Jesus died not only for those who trusted in Him at the time, but He died for all who would ever believe in Him for the next 2,000 years, so how are we to know what to say to an atheist? I think it’s not an intellectual problem, but a spiritual one. The demons know the gospel, but that doesn’t mean they’re saved (James 2:19). It doesn’t usually help to present a rational argument for the existence of God if they are already resistant to it. The Bible says that none are good (Rom 3:10-12). To make sure there are no exceptions, the Apostle Paul writes, “not even one” (Rom 3:12b). Until a person humbles themselves, they are in opposition to God (James 4:6). Until they see that we will all die someday and that a judgment will follow (Heb 9:27), they’ll never care Who Jesus is and why they need to know Him.
[2]
Loving Enemies
Another important part of telling people about Jesus is reminding them that He said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). This is so contrary to the way of the world. Most will seek to get even when they’re wronged, but the Christ-follower should not seek to get even but rather they should pray for that person who wronged them. They need Christ more than anything. We don’t give them what they deserve (doing the same to them) but we give them what they need (love and prayers), just as God gave us what we didn’t deserve (grace), while withholding what we truly did deserve which is His holy wrath (mercy). When people treat us with hatred, we treat them with love because we must remember that at one time, we were the children of wrath.
Convinced by Love
[3]I remember a friend who had an encounter with a co-worker at lunch. The man was insistent about receiving “conclusive proof” that God exists, so my friend started telling him about the fact that there over 5,600 Dead Sea Scrolls with different authors from the Old Testament, and New Testament manuscripts have been preserved by the thousands with over 24,000 New Testament manuscripts, 5,000 of which date from the first century. The man ignored all this. Then he said, there are well over 50,000 digs at 30,000 different locations that have been excavated that continue to provide substantial support of the Bible’s written record, including names like Belshazzar, King Darius, and King Cyrus, and what was once thought to be a mythological empire or the Hittite kingdom, which has now been established as a fact of history. Even a record of King David’s reign was found recorded on an ancient Egyptian inscription. And there is now more evidence of the Regal House of Nebuchadnezzarthan ever before. You can even include a stone tablet bearing Pontius Pilate’s name. Even after all this, the man was not convinced. He continued to berate the man, telling him that believing in God is like believing in the tooth fairy or in pink unicorns. The Christian never responded in anger, but always had a soft answer in return (1 Pet 3:15-17).
The Power of Love
Late one night, after a terrible tragedy in the man’s life, he came to his co-worker’s home and wanted to talk to him. As the man wept, he said, “My mother is dying of cancer and she’s a Christian. Do you really think she’s still alive…somewhere?” The man told him that she was now with the Lord. Weeks later, the man apologized and said, “I’m so sorry for the way I have treated you. I can remember I said some very terrible things to you but you responded with kindness, so I thought, this faith of yours must be real. Only God can make someone love me like you did, even when I didn’t deserve it.” The man put his trust in Christ that very night, but it wasn’t the mountains of biblical manuscripts we have or it wasn’t the archeological evidence that matches biblical Scripture…it was his co-worker loving him and showing him patience and kindness when he had only treated him with contempt.
[4]
Naturally, only those who God draws can come to Christ (John 6:44), but we don’t know who the elect are at first. I am reminded that Jesus said it is by our love for one another that people will know we are His disciples (John 13:34-45). It won’t be by our convincing arguments or presenting evidence or winning debates. I’d much rather lose a debate and win a soul than win a debate and lose a soul. To be sure, the Father must draw them, the Spirit must quicken them (Eph 2:1-5), and only then can they believe in Him (John 3:16), however, God is pleased to use us as a means to reach His ends. Yes, God alone saves, but He desires we enter the harvest for the harvest is huge, but oh, so few laborers (Matt 9:35-38, 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Summary
This true story that took place several years ago and it is still taking place today because people are not ashamed of the gospel or Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 1:18). People are coming to Christ because believers are doing what Jesus told them to do when faced with severe hatred and persecution. This radical love draws people to the gospel because we are commanded: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). I am not saying unbelievers are our enemies, but when people treat you like an enemy.
[3]I believe that’s what Jesus was talking about. We are to love them, do good to them and bless them, regardless of how they treat us. The Bible tells us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom 12:18), but “never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:19), but to the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head” (Rom 12:20). We plant the seed and then allow God’s Spirit to convict them. That’s something we can’t do. The late Dr. John MacArthur said of the farmer, “Plant the seed…then go to bed.” Only God can give the increast (John 15:5; 1 Cor 3:6-7). As for us, we are to love them, do good to them, bless them, and love them like nobody’s business. Do this and leave the rest in God’s capable hands.
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: Do Atheists Really Believe Three is No God? [5]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.