Jim's voice was a strange combination of wistfulness and challenge as he asked me, "Does Christ have favorites?" Why do some Christians radiate such joy while others seem so grim and uptight? Does Christ bless some people more than others?"

I resisted the temptation to answer until I knew what was behind the question. It was obvious that Jim was not putting me on. He really wanted to know. So I asked, "Jim, is that sort of a general question? Or do you have something more specific in mind?"

"Well," he answered thoughtfully, "I guess it's really my own personal question. Some Christians I know are vital and dynamic. But the Christian faith has never been that exciting to me. About six months ago, I heard you tell on television about the joy people in your church are discovering. So I decided to come and see for myself. I've been here every Sunday since. You're right -- there are a lot of joyful Christians here. What's the secret?"

In just those few words, Jim had given me an important clue. He had been in the worship services for six months. That's at least twenty-four Sundays in which an invitation had been given for people to commit their lives to Christ. I could have put him on the defensive by asking why he hadn't responded, so I put my request a different way. "Jim, tell me, when did you become a Christian and what's happened since?

"That's just it.... I can't pinpoint a time when I became a Christian."

Jim went on to share a story I hear often. He had been raised in a church in his hometown, attended a Christian college, married a fine woman from a Christian family, and begun a career as an engineer. Now he has a lovely family, lives in a beautiful home, and appears to be a successful, respected person.

After hearing his story, I said, "My friend, week after week you've heard me talk about the secret of receiving Christ's joy. I've said that fullness of joy is the result of receiving Christ's love and forgiveness and being filled with His Spirit, and all we have to do to begin is accept His gift and give ourselves unreservedly to Him. How have you felt when you've heard me give that invitation?"

"Well, to be honest," Jim said, "I've had a different question each week. What would my wife think? What would Christ require of me if I did commit my life to Him? Would my friends think I'd become a religious fanatic? Would I lose control of my life? By the time I've mulled over the question I pose to myself each week, the service is finished and I can put off the challenge until the next Sunday. But now I've run out of questions -- excuses -- I guess."

Jim and I went on to talk a long time that day, and he did surrender his life to Christ. The joy he had longed for is being given him in greater measure than he'd imagined possible. And now he wonders why he had put it off so long. Unfortunately, churches are filled with people like Jim. They become so adept at evading Christ's call to discipleship that they don't hear it anymore.

The Conjunction That Resists