Two Sundays after preaching on how The Church as it was Meant to Be is made up of fearless and bold Christians who are full of conviction, check out this real-life illustration of fearlessness in the face of opposition:
Homeowner Offers Burglar Breakfast
Suspect Wanted By Police
POSTED: 8:45 am EDT September 24, 2007
UPDATED: 3:24 pm EDT September 24, 2007
SAN ANTONIO — A man said he had a heart-to-heart conversation with an armed burglar over a cup of coffee after he found him stealing his belongings from his home on Sept. 11, KSAT-TV in San Antonio reported.
Steve Swanson said he found a man, whom police suspect is Armando Hernandez, stealing items from his home.
“I said, ‘What are you doing here?’” Swanson said. “He said, ‘I’m taking your stuff, and it’s too bad you showed up.’”
Swanson said the man was carrying a knife in one hand and a gun in the other, but he didn’t panic.
“I said, ‘You don’t want to do this. First of all, if you harm me or kill me, I’m just going to go to heaven. You’re going to go to prison forever,’” Swanson said.
Swanson said he gave the burglar all the money in his wallet and offered to listen to his problems over breakfast.
He said the man told him he couldn’t pay his bills or afford to buy food for himself.
Swanson said he ended their conversation with a prayer and a hug.
He said he convinced the man to give him back two pillowcases full of stolen items.
However, Swanson said, the burglar still got away with some of his wife’s expensive jewelry.
Swanson said he notified police only for insurance purposes.
Swanson said he would have upheld his promise to let the thief go had he not taken the items.
Swanson said he believes the men crossed paths for a reason.
“I do believe God put us together and protected me,” he said.
Now, you can debate whether or not this man should have turned the burglar into the police, but you have to admit his conviction and fearlessness are incredible. Steve Swanson embodies what the author of Hebrews wrote: “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6), as well as what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I am sure his fearlessness and conviction had a profound effect on that burglar.Two weeks ago I preached from Acts 4 on the fearlessness that Peter and John displayed in the face of opposition from the religious leaders of their day. Because they were ordinary people doing extraordinary things and speaking of the uniqueness of the salvation found in Jesus, they experienced strong opposition from the religious leaders of their day. But when those leaders ordered Peter and John to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, this is what Peter had to say: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). There is something about the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives a remarkable fearlessness, even in the face of intense opposition or persecution. When you know that eternity is secure, that God works all things for good, and that you worship a God familiar with suffering, what can man do to you? Death will only bring you into His presence, and suffering will only make you more like Jesus. So what is left to be afraid of?Fearlessness is an incredible trait, but what this homeowner displayed is something far greater: compassionate fearlessness. I am sure that there are other people out there who would have been able to stand up to a burglar, but how many would invite the man to talk about his problems over coffee? Not only was Mr. Swanson unafraid for his life, but he saw beyond the burglar to someone who had lost his way and was in need of Jesus. He took pity on the man and completely turned the tables, becoming the one in control of the situation instead of the victim. I have no doubt that some day that burglar will be sharing his testimony of coming to faith as a result of meeting a fearless victim of one of his home robberies.
Followers of Jesus, those who get the gospel, are marked by a fearlessness and conviction that causes them to live life boldly and without fear. May you take a moment to meditate on the truths of the gospel today, that you are secure in the hands of your Father, that neither death nor life nor anything else can ever separate you from that love.
Write a comment