Offended but Thinking

“As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a Stone that causes men to stumble and a Rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’” Romans 9:33, NIV.

Tim* grew up in an Indian Sikh family. Sikhs practice a monotheistic form of Hinduism. Before he came to faith, a Christian friend quoted John 14:6 and told him that Jesus is the only way to salvation. The statement offended him because it implied that his religion might not lead to salvation. But it also started him thinking seriously about this man’s testimony.

Later on he overheard a conversation between this same Christian friend and a Muslim man who was confronting him about his faith. The Christian man said, “Tell me just one thing your Allah has ever done for you.” He was unable to answer and walked off.

Tim considered this question and thought, “My god has never done anything for me either.” After that Tim began to seriously study the Bible, and soon he became a convinced follower of Jesus. He grew in the faith rapidly and surrendered to a call to preach the gospel. At this point he has been preaching and shepherding a church faithfully for over 20 years.

What started as an offense led Tim to salvation, and he is so grateful for the Christian colleague who cared enough to tell him the truth even though he initially misunderstood.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Christians in work places all over the world will have the courage to share the gospel truth with their colleagues.

Gospel seeds sown at work will find fertile hearts like Tim’s.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.