I have been working in the inner-city for 5 years now. Certain issues that we face daily are unique. However, certain challenges are simply amplifications of common ministry challenges. Once I met a rather large man named Jamal. Jamal was about 25. He had a woman who lived with him and several children. I had an opportunity to share the gospel with Jamal. He was very receptive. He nodded his head and said he understood everything. When I had finished sharing with him I asked if he would like to receive Christ as his savior. He thought for a minute and then said, "I hear what you are saying, and I like it. I mean I understand about Jesus and all..." I was very encouraged, but only for a moment. He looked me in the eyes very seriously and said, "But what I want to know is, how can I accept this when I know that tomorrow I am going to have to deal (drugs) and kill just to feed my family?"
I did not have an answer for Jamal that day. I still don't know exactly what I would say. Jamal's case is an extreme example, but this problem is not limited to the inner-city. Countless people know and understand the gospel, but feel trapped by their lives. It could be habits, addictions, jobs, friends... anything really. They stop short of real saving faith because they know it will mean losing an essential part of their lives as they know them. They are either too attached to their sin or they cannot imagine a life without it.
So how do we respond? How do we as Christ's ambassadors win these people to the Lord? It doesn't work to say "Just trust in Jesus and leave that issue up to him." I've tried. So what do we do?
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In presenting the gospel, we present thee free gift of the kingdom through Jesus Christ. We cannot add anything to the message. We are giving the message that was passed down from Jesus to the apostles. So in Jamal's case, you pray that he will accept the free gift of salvation. I really do not think we can add conditions (only if you stop killing, dealing drugs, etc.) We have to give what has been given to us, the free gospel. The Lord will clean Jamal up if he comes to Him. he has to accept grace first.
Hey Ryan,
I'm also working in the inner city, West Dallas, and I've seen this problem a lot. There is a real sense among many in these neighborhoods that criminal activity is the only way for them to survive. I recently asked a police officer why so many kids end up in jail from this neighborhood. He responded by saying that many of them do not think they have a future, they don't plan to go to college or get a successful job and jail is a place most of their family has been. In other words they have nothing to lose by going to jail whereas it would reck my life. Many people in our community also accept the three ways out of the ghetto: music, sports or drugs. Since the first two are rare most go with drugs. The solution our ministry has used is job training. We work with a discipleship ministry led by an ex FBI agent which promises employers very good employee supervision. Many future employers are starting to come around to the idea that if you hold a person's criminal record against them forever, that person will be trapped in crime for their whole life. All of that being said, I have also seen many people turn to Christ with no education and only drugs to provide their income. God always leads them to stop selling, some take longer than others, but I've never seen God abandon one of them because of their faith decision. However a few have given up their home, their cars and their money so that they can follow Him. One guy gave up a multi million dollar music contract because his song was not honoring to the Lord...he works at home depot now. All that to say, tell them to trust Christ even if you don't have to trust him as much as they will. And find an innovative ministry that helps guys like this find jobs.
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