Nov 16 2008
Do these kind of signs or stickers ever work?
Yesterday I saw this painted on the back of a pick-up truck. ”Heaven or hell the choice is yours.”
My question is do these signs, or bumper stickers or billboards or church signs ever work? If you have a story of one that has, I would like to hear about it. I’m curious if these kind of signs ever have a positive affect on those they are meant for–or do they turn people off?
My experience is it is a turn off. If I see a sign or bumper sticker or anything that goes against my beliefs it doesn’t make me want to investigate what they are pushing–it makes me angry.
What do you think?
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7 responses so far
I’m not sure we can worry too much about turning people off (with the usual caveats, of course..). Jesus did say He’d be a Rock of Offense to some, which tells me some WILL BE offended.
The sign gives people the opportunity to make a choice in their own minds. I suppose it’s better than silence.
Me .. I just have a Jesus tag on the front of one of my cars and a fish symbol n the back of the other. But that’s just me.
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I generally don’t place much value on spray painted signs on the back, side, or front of moving vehicles! Nor on those who stand beside the street corner and scream at me about their issue.
Maybe those messages reach some people–just not me.
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I’ve never seen where such signs and stickers demonstrated the genuine love of Christ, which we are called to illustrate with our lives.
They are borne more out of the militant mindset that comes with inebriation with the kind of *power* that Christ represents, rather than for Christ Himself.
And that is not something that could possibly, sincerely convince the lost of God’s love and grace through Christ.
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I am totally on board with agreeing with Kevin and Chris and Steve, and I must respectfully differ with Bob.
Silence is better than a message if that message is “borne…out of the militant mindset that comes with inebriation with the kind of *power* that Christ represents, rather than for Christ Himself,” as Chris put it. Christians who are angry at the world for not being as moral and God-like as they are give Christians, and in turn give Christianity itself, a very bad name by serving as such a poor example for the peace and love-giving effect it should be having on their souls, not to mention serving as a bad example for holding a condescending attitude. God says exalt yourself, and you will be humbled, humble yourselves, and you will be exalted. If you want to be great, make yourself small. I think the people with bumper stickers might be in for a rude awakening when they face God, they may be humbled a bit.
Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours…. How about, “Heaven or Hell, the choice is mine”? Even that would reflect a more Christ-like attitude. I originally had a beef with that Paul Washer guy, but I think I am coming around (somewhat). I mean, he still shouldn’t make such a big deal out of how people dresses, or make such bold claims about how many Christian Americans are going to hell, because he really does not have a clue about anyone other than himself.
But the point that he makes that stuck with me is that whether or not you do good works throughout your life is a symptom or sign of whether or not you TRULY accepted Christ into your heart to begin with. I mean, people might accuse Mr. Washer of being legalist, but it’s sort of legalist to assume you will be saved when your conduct in life and your bumper stickers are so clearly manifesting a hostile spirit.
People should be paying attention to their own salvation and their own hearts, and not pointing the finger at whoever happens to be driving behind them.
P.S. The tricky bit is, am I being hypocritical? I guess hatred of sin can carry over and sound like you are bashing the people with those bumper stickers… maybe we should not read too much into the content of people’s hearts just because they go overboard with their bumper stickers… I mean, I probably went overboard with this blog comment, but I don’t feel angry inside, but people always say I seem that way…. Hmm that is sort of deep to ponder.
I gather, from your beliefs, that you do indeed believe that we choose Heaven or Hell, just as this sign says. Why would it not meet with your approval?
I think Kevin borderline disapproves of the bumper sticker because of the effect it has on people. Rather than encouraging them to become better people, it angers them and makes them more resistant to God’s love and stuff.
Ben,
I really don’t care if people put stickers on their cars or not. It doesn’t bother me. I just wonder if they ever lead someone to God? If they do I would like to hear a story about it and it might change my view.