It seems that God has converted my local video store into a mission field just for me. Since I moved here three years ago, nearly every person who has worked there has opened a door for me to share the gospel. Sometimes in very profound ways.

Most recently, the door opened with a young man I'll call Brian. He was new to the store, with a long, thick ponytail sticking out of his baseball hat and a wisp of a beard on his face. As I passed by, I noticed that he was wearing a large, bulky cross. As I browsed, I was, as usual, appalled by the growing selection of gore, overt sexuality, and occult material that lined the shelves. It took me several minutes to even find something I felt that I could turn over and read.

After making my selection, I went to the counter to pay. As Brian rang up my selection, he asked, in that official store tone, whether I had seen one of the recent occult movie shockers that were so popular that time of year. I said no, musing that too many people take lightly the power of the spiritual realm. He nodded, as if in agreement, so I continued, commenting about how many people believe in God, but they don't believe in Satan, and yet, the Bible says that both are real. In fact, the Bible describes Satan as prowling about like “a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“A lot of people think that the supernatural is just the makings of fairy tales,” I said, “but there really is a battle going on in the spiritual realm. God is drawing us to Him, and Satan is drawing us away. And the consequences are eternal. So when people talk about Satan, his power, and the things of demons, it's not a game. No, I don't watch it for entertainment.”

As I talked, Brian was nodding vigorously. “I agree totally,” he said.

I looked down at the cross hanging around his neck. “Does that cross mean anything to you?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said, as if surprised. “I'm a Christian.”

What Does It Mean to be a "Christian"?

I paused for a moment. Too many, unfortunately, do not really even know what that term means. It is a cultural symbol, a religious symbol of their heritage. Beyond that, it means little. So I asked, “What does that mean, to be a Christian?”

Biblically, the term “Christian” was first used of believers in Antioch (Acts 11:26), and means “little Christ,” or “follower of Christ,” and refers to those who have identified themselves with Jesus' death and resurrection. These are those who have acknowledged their sin, asked Jesus' forgiveness, accepted His payment for their sins through His blood, and confessed Him as Lord, thereby being “born again” by His Spirit (John 3:3).

“Believe in Jesus and go to church,” he replied.

I nodded. “Church? Is that important? Is it part of being saved?”

He looked confused for a moment. “No,” he said, thinking now, “I guess you just need to read the Bible.”

Under normal circumstances, his answer would have satisfied me, since he understood that it was a personal commitment, not just showing up in church that made the difference. But I sensed something deeply wrong. There was no peace or light of Christ in him, just the dull spirit of the lost and wandering. Beneath the congenial surface, his demeanor was steeped in arrogance, hostility, and rebellion. I thought of the ease with which he promoted the occult film. There was no question that, wherever he might be with Jesus — or thought he might be with Jesus — his spiritual discernment wasn't operating.

So I shared with him about salvation being about the personal, intimate relationship that Jesus wants to have with us, not the things that we say or do. As I often do, I mentioned the words of Jesus in Matt. 7:22: “Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

He was now staring at me with rapt attention. This, he said, is why he didn't go to church — false prophets. He then began rambling off a list of hurts committed by former pastors, deacons, and professing brethren. “False prophets,” he said again, venom dripping from his voice.

Certainly, his bitterness and hostility were understandable. I have found that, when people have been deeply hurt by the church, it is helpful to remind them of verses by which God will hold those in positions of leadership accountable for how they steer their flock. I am not the judge, nor am I the jury, for only God holds those roles, but I have found that great healing can occur when the injured are assured that those who have abused their positions of authority will be held accountable (Matt. 5:19, Matt. 18:6, James 3:1). As I shared some of those verses with Brian, instantly, I saw a softening in his face. I encouraged him to keep reading the Word, to strengthen His relationship with the Lord, and to find a good church, because they weren't all like the one he knew.

Then I leaned over and asked, “I'm just curious, if you are a Christian, why did you recommend that I watch a movie on the occult?”

It was as if he just crumbled at that moment, and he began apologizing profusely. “I'm so sorry,” he said. “They want us to recommend movies to customers. I don't know why I picked that one. I'm really sorry.” I told him that it was okay, and that I'd be praying for him.

Battling "Home-Grown" Theology

Indeed, I did. I couldn't get Brian out of my head. Although, at the time, I didn't feel comfortable in confronting Brian, I was certain that he was allowing himself to stay in bondage to his hurt and anger. I thought of his alienation from the church, his seething hostility and bitterness. I got the distinct sense that the reason he wasn't in church was because he had chosen not to be in church, and that although he claimed that he knew Jesus, rather than being submitted to Jesus as Savior and Lord, he used his hurt as an excuse to create his own theology at home.

Over the next week, I prayed for Brian. When I went to return the movie, he was working that night. I hung around for awhile, browsing, until we were alone in the store. I approached the counter and asked if I could talk to him for a minute. I explained that, after I'd left last time, I'd been thinking about our conversation and had been praying for him. Then I shared with him the sense that I'd gotten about where he was spiritually. From the shock that registered in his face, I knew I was on target.

I looked him in the eyes and said, “I believe that God cleared out this store tonight so that I could share this with you. Jesus loves you. He is calling you to a deeper relationship with Him. This means laying down your hurt, your bitterness, and your anger at the cross of Jesus. It means giving it up, giving up any right to it, and asking Him to heal you. And it means getting back into the Word of God and finding a church that can minister to you. It means not making excuses, but laying down your life in submission and obedience to God.”

Then I waited. I had hit home, and we both knew it. Now, it was up to him. He and I spent nearly an hour that night, talking about what it means to walk with the Lord. I shared with him my testimony and the lessons that I'd learned about the difference between profession and confession, and what a practical difference it had made in my life. Then we talked about Brian's life, his hurts, his struggles, and it became clear that my suspicions had been correct. Although he considered himself a Christian, his life was steeped in sin and there was only one person in control of his life — Brian. Wherever he had been in his earlier days, he had nibbled his way so far out of the kingdom that it was no longer in sight. We talked about how only God could heal his hurts, give him direction, and lead him out of the mess he'd made. But it had to be God's way, not his. As the conversation began winding down, people began coming back into the store. The fact that we had been alone during that time was truly a miracle, for it was a Saturday night.

Brian and I continued to talk here and there over the next few weeks, including one heart-felt prayer session, and when he was unable to find his Bible (which, it turns out, he hadn't read in years), I bought him a new one. But I also knew that, as a woman, after the initial contact was made, I needed to back off and let him take initiative to find his own church and male fellowship. I gave him my husband's name and our home number, which he accepted.

We never heard from Brian, and after that night, I only saw him once more. I could tell from his demeanor that his life had not improved, and from our brief interaction, it was clear that he hadn't give God a chance either. Two weeks later, the store was closed. One thing was certain, however – he knew the truth, and God had touched his heart, and when the time is right, His Word will be there for him to draw upon. God has a purpose for Brian's employment at that video store, and I am humbled and deeply grateful that He trusted me to be part of it.

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