Earning the Right To Lead People To Christ

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about the process of leading people to Christ. If we are surrounded by a world (our immediate circle of neighbors, acquaintances, workplace friends, relatives, etc.) that desperately needs Christ, than how does the process begin where sharing Christ becomes a natural part of our lives. A story I recently read, by Jonathan Fallwell, the senior pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church, is part of the key.

Jonathan tells of going with his father, Jerry Fallwell, on a trip to debate Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine. After the debate, Mr. Flynt asked Jerry Fallwell if he could give he and his son a ride back to Lynchburg, Virginia after the debate. Mr. Fallwell agreed and they boarded Mr. Flynt's beautiful black and gold Gulfstream III. On the trip the two men talked as if they were old friends, about sports, food, politics and many other topics. After they landed, Jonathan Fallwell asked his dad about that conversation, a conversation that really bothered Jonathan. "Dad, how is it that you can sit on that airplane and carry on a conversation with him as if you guys were old friends. He is the exact opposite of everything you believe in; he does all of the things that you preach against; and yet you were treating him as you would someone from our own church. Why?" Jonathan then wrote this; "Dad's response changed my whole outlook on ministry. He said, 'Jonathan, there's going to be a day when Larry Flynt is hurting and lonely and will be looking for help and guidance. He is going to pick up the phone and call someone who can help him. I want to earn the right to be that phone call!'"

Isn't this how Christ lived his life on earth. He was severely criticized for spending time with sinners, yet I'm sure He knew that one day they would call on Him in their time of need. O God, help me, help us, to develop the kind of relationships with people who do not know you in such a way that it earns us the right to be the "phone call" of help that leads them to You.