How Many Clifford's Are Out There?

One recent evening, returning from a hospital visit with my father-in-law, I had to stop for gas on the long ride home. It was late. I was thirsty and tired. That's when I noticed a sign with an offer I could not refuse: "Free Fountain Soda with 10-Gallon Fill-Up".

After pumping enough diesel to more than double the soda requirement, I glanced over at the convenience mart. I could easily see through the plate glass that the young man working inside was leaning against a counter reading a magazine.

I must admit that I routinely pass on striking up conversations with people at work if they look busy. I do not want to be the cause of a manager taking them aside to remind them they are paid to work, not talk. This young man was clearly not busy.

Just before heading inside I grabbed my Bible, a tract, and a copy of Mark Cahill's One Heartbeat Away, my favorite book to hand to non-Christians.

As I walked toward the door, I ran several conversation starters through my head and imagined how I might turn the conversation to the gospel. Such mental gymnastics are good, I suppose, but I've never had a conversation that followed the dialogue I construct in my head. The point here is to never talk yourself out of sharing the gospel because of an imaginary conversation. Give the Lord a chance to lead you in the actual conversation.

In I go. I asked about the free soda offer, then I struck up a short conversation with with the employee. Nothing special, just everyday talk. The young man, Clifford, seemed relieved to talk with someone rather than continue with his magazine. After a few minutes I decided to turn the conversation to the gospel with, "I'm working on a project, would you mind answering a question?"

People seem to love this question. I don't know if it's because they get an opportunity to influence the outcome of my research, if their curiosity is piqued, or if they simply recall their own struggles to complete some school project and now feel compelled to minimize my own pain. What I do know is that so far no one has ever said, "No, thanks."

"Sure," was the helpful reply, "what's the question?"

"On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being 'I could be entirely wrong,' and 10 being 'I am absolutely certain that I am right,' how would you rate your spiritual beliefs?"

Clifford told me "5." I asked what his spiritual background was and he told me, "Christian."

"Wow," I said, "You're Christian today but tomorrow there is a 50-50 chance you'll walk away?"

We chatted about his upbringing, how he once asked Jesus into his heart and now feels totally disconnected from the church. I told him that when I meet people who feel this way, I ask one important question: "Do you consider yourself to be a good person?"

"Yes, I think I'm a pretty good person."

"Interesting. Do you mind if I walk you through a quick test to see if that's true?"

Clifford was intrigued now, and smiling. He gave me an enthusiastic, "Sure!"

So, I walked him through a few of the Ten Commandments. In less than two minutes, Clifford's smile had faded and he was serious. He had quickly admitted to being a liar, a thief, an adulterer, and a murderer. When faced with the question, "If God judged you by the Ten Commandments, would you be innocent or guilty?" he clearly understood that a 5-rating is not comforting.

I spent the next few minutes clearly explaining the gospel to Clifford. Before I left he knew that he needed to repent and trust the Savior, not just recite a prayer.

As I left I told Clifford, "I don't believe God brought me here tonight just to get a free drink. We met for a reason." Clifford agreed, and thanked me for taking the time to talk with him.

How many Clifford's are out there? How many people have falsely convinced themselves that they are Christians without understanding the holiness of God, or their need to repent and trust in the risen Savior?

Armor up, Christian! Carry your Bible where ever you go. Read it to prepare yourself to defend the truth in season and out. Carry tracts and your favorite apologetic books to hand out. There are many more Clifford's out there who need to understand the true gospel, before it's too late.