Kindness Will Draw the Lost

by Larry Ollison

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

Last week I had some things I needed at Walmart. Yes, I shop at Walmart. Anyway, while I was in line to be checked out, there were two people in front of me and two people behind me. All four of them were from different families and all four of them were members of my church. I guess my church shops at Walmart, too. After all, I have heard many great men of God teach that the anointing of the pastor is passed on to the congregation.

While I was there, a tall man in his forties walked over to me and said, "So, you're a pastor. I have something I want to show you." He then proceeded to take out a notebook with some of the strangest drawings I have ever seen. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but he was one of the strangest people I have ever seen. He had two ponytails. One was on the back of his head and the other one he had made with his beard. He had several silver dots over his face, through his cheek and his nose, and when he opened his mouth, the fluorescent lights at Walmart reflected off of the chrome stuff through his tongue.

The line was moving slowly and I could tell some of the people around me were beginning to get upset with this gentleman because he was telling me that his drawings were from God and telling me of his oneness with the universe. I didn't agree with what he said and I certainly wouldn't have my stylist fix me up to look like him, but I was polite and listened.

Later as I was leaving Walmart, I was asked, "How could you have been so nice to that guy? Didn't he give you the creeps?" My answer was this. As a Christian, we have no choice. We must be kind and we must do good to all. That doesn't mean that we agree with false teachings, but love and kindness are qualities that will draw the lost and cause them to see Jesus in us.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."  (Galatians 5:22-23)