No Better Place Than...Los Angeles?

David Silberman, my seat mate on my flight to LA

Over the past several days, I have been in the Los Angeles area as I attended Interview Days at West Coast Baptist College in an attempt to recruit additional staff.

On this trip, I was able to have a couple of Gospel conversations.

David Silberman

David Silberman (and, no, I did not misspell his last name) was my seat mate on my flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles. Los Angeles is David's home. David is also a Jew...a reformed Jew. David is very active in his local synagogue and even participates in an online study of the Torah (much like we would participate in an online Bible study). David was/is very friendly. As soon as I sat down, he struck up a conversation. My immediate thought was, "I really don't want to talk. This is a long flight and I've got a lot of work/studying that I need to get done." But then the Lord convicted me of the fact that this quite possibly could be an opportunity to witness and give the Gospel so I began to engage with him. Our flight to LA was over 5 hours in duration and we (mostly David) talked for almost 3 of those hours!

Eventually, I was able to ask David, "So, what are you trusing in for your eternal life?" He began to tell me of all of the good things that he had done in his life. (David is 73 years old.) When he finished, I responded, "So, you're trusting in your good works?" He said, "Yes."

I then shared with him Isaiah 64:6:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

(A side note: This is an example of why it is important to memorize God's Word and hide God's Word in your heart.)

David did not believe that Jesus was any more God than Moses or any of the other prophets were God. He was/is still looking for the Messiah to come. I encouraged him to reconsider the book of Isaiah which speaks of the Messiah as the suffering servant. (Isaiah 53) As a Jew he doesn't accept the New Testament which is why I pointed him to the book of Isaiah.

David eventually stated that he had believed this way for 73 years and so he didn't feel as though he needed to change now.

We exchanged contact information and, in his words, we became friends. He invited me to visit him in LA anytime and even invited me to come to LA and stay at his home during the upcoming 2028 LA Olympics. (A couple of days after we met, I received a text message from David inviting me to his home for an upcoming NFL/NBA watch party and barbecue. When I responded that I would be in Charlotte and not able to attend, he responded:

" I remember that...I just wanted you to know, what being my friend as you are now, that you're included in all invitations to his home!"

That was on my flight to Los Angeles. On my return to Charlotte I met...

Marcellus

My flight home to Charlotte left LAX at 6 AM. So I was up at 3:30 AM so that I could catch my Uber ride at 4:00 AM to get to the airport.

Marcellus was my Uber driver. The drive from my hotel to the airport was extremely short; less than a five minute ride.

But, I engaged Marcellus in conversation in that brief time. I found out that Marcellus was 46 years old and has been a lifelong resident of Los Angeles. Not only that but he considers Los Angeles to be most wonderful place on the planet! In his mind, no other place can compare to how wonderful Los Angeles is!

To that, I responded, "I know of one place that is more wonderful than Los Angeles. Heaven is more wonderful than any place I have ever been and I can't wait to get there."

I could tell that that response had taken Marcellus a little off guard because he fumbled his words for a few moments after that. He finally said, "Los Angeles is heaven on earth."

It was then that we pulled up to the airport terminal. As I was getting out of his car, I asked, "But what about all the anger and hate in Los Angeles?" His reponse, "Religion is responsible for 90% of the anger and hate." I told him that is why I do not focus on religion but on a relationship with God through Jesus Christ." Before we shook hands and parted ways he said to me, "I have a relationship with my god."

Take Aways

There were a couple of things that I noticed from both of these conversations even though both of these men came from very different backgrounds.

They both acknowledged that there was a god.

Neither of these men recognized the true God. However, for example, David acknowledged the truth that even those who believe in evolution must recognize the fact that there still had to be some type of supernatural power.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20

They both acknowledged that "religion" was a problem.

As I mentioned earlier, Marcellus stated that most of the hate and violence in the world is a result of "religion."

While neither of these men realize it, but there understanding that "religion" is a problem, simply underscores the truth of the Bible.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Titus 1:14

If all you know is the Bible then give them the Bible!

In the brief time that I spent with both of these men, there was no way that...

• I was going to convince David that Jesus was his long awaited for Messiah.

• I was going to convince Marcellus that Los Angeles was not "heaven on earth."

Jesus said:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

So, instead of trying to figure out how to reason with someone or think of some "snappy" comeback to their error, simply give them God's Word. God's Word is powerful. (Hebrews 4:12) It is only the Holy Spirit with God's Word that is able to change a person's heart.