James (mid 30s)

by John Ferguson

Dave E. & I found James outside a bar enjoying a smoke break.  He was a bit skeptical as we approached him asking if he'd be interested in doing a quick questionnaire, but after I assured him that we were not selling anything, he gladly jumped in.

He said he has no spiritual background other than attending a church when he was a small kid--nothing that he remembers.   When asked to describe religious / spiritual experience, he answered that it "was a belief in a higher power."   When asked if he believed in a higher power, he said no.

Next question:  "IF God exists and you could ask him one question, what would it be?"

"Why?" he responded.

"Why...what?" we tried to clarify.

"Just 'why?'  Why anything?"  Okay.

"IF God exists and if you were to face him when you die, and IF God were to ask you, 'Why should I let you into heaven?', what would you say?"

"Why NOT?" James said with a smile as if that would be the obvious answer.

He then rated his goodness at a 7-8.   We gave him a booklet that had the ranking within it along with a way to test that goodness with the 10 Commandments.   I asked him how he thought he might do if he compared his life with this standard.   He looked up at the sky and thought for a moment.   I assured him that Dave & I both failed that test, to which he laughed and said, "Well, if you guys failed the test, then what hope have I got?"  We all chuckled at that.

I asked him if he could name any of the Commandments, and he could name three:  "You shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet your neighbors wife."  I told him to check out the test to see how he does.  The booklet has some interesting information in light of that.

James was headed back to work from his smoke break.   He smiled and told us that he was going to read the booklet to his dudes at work.  I hope he did!

We thanked him for his kindness in speaking with us.

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1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners….” 

Lord, I pray that you will reach out and save James since you came into the world to save sinners.