WHEN GOD TAKES HIS GOOD OLD TIME
What are we trying to build? What kind of church do we want to be?
I started with evangelism and noted that, at least as Jesus and the apostles did it, it was not focused on one’s eternal destiny but on following Christ.
Calling people to follow Jesus involves more than throwing a few “magic” words at them. We must interact within the context of their life situation, presenting Jesus’ claims and giving listeners an idea of what following Christ means so they can count the cost and make an informed decision about following Him.
The decision to follow Jesus isn’t a mere moment of decision to be left behind and forgotten. It is the first step in reorienting one’s entire life. Following Christ affects the one following every day.
That sums up my blogs from the past three months.
If these things are true, how do I reach people for Christ?
I believe it’s best to start where people find themselves and figure out what truths relate to them and their life circumstances – and then talk and listen. You don’t have to start with heaven or hell (which most find primitive at best and irrelevant at worst anyway). You don’t even have to start with Jesus (though you will ultimately end up with Him).
You can talk about anything to which truth relates. Truth is the crucial thing because all truth is God’s truth. I can preach (or converse) about truth related to any subject and God will use it. If I’m speaking truth, I am confident that the line is connected on the other end to the One Who IS the Truth. Eventually that conversation, that relationship, that message, is going to lead the listener back to Him Who is the Truth. It may not be today. Some people listen, discuss, think, and wrestle for YEARS before the planted seed germinates in their heart and they arrive at that moment where they decide to follow Christ.
You aren’t doing the saving, God is. So let Him do it His way. If He is taking His good old time in softening a heart, what is your hurry? Don’t you trust Him? Let Him work in His time. Believe Him when He says that He doesn’t want people to perish. He wants everyone to come to repentance.
Plant the seed of truth. Any truth. Water it. Maybe first you have to prepare the ground or get rid of weeds or pests. It may need more water or nutrients on occasion. In our interaction with souls we may have to do some or all of these things before a heart is ready and the seed germinates into a decision to follow Christ. Let the process happen. Let the soul count the cost.
Everything that relates to people and to the truth (not merely heaven or hell) becomes a pathway that can lead to the call to follow Christ. If that is so, I think it leads to many interesting possibilities for ways to do “evangelism” in our rapidly changing world.
I started with evangelism and noted that, at least as Jesus and the apostles did it, it was not focused on one’s eternal destiny but on following Christ.
Calling people to follow Jesus involves more than throwing a few “magic” words at them. We must interact within the context of their life situation, presenting Jesus’ claims and giving listeners an idea of what following Christ means so they can count the cost and make an informed decision about following Him.
The decision to follow Jesus isn’t a mere moment of decision to be left behind and forgotten. It is the first step in reorienting one’s entire life. Following Christ affects the one following every day.
That sums up my blogs from the past three months.
If these things are true, how do I reach people for Christ?
I believe it’s best to start where people find themselves and figure out what truths relate to them and their life circumstances – and then talk and listen. You don’t have to start with heaven or hell (which most find primitive at best and irrelevant at worst anyway). You don’t even have to start with Jesus (though you will ultimately end up with Him).
You can talk about anything to which truth relates. Truth is the crucial thing because all truth is God’s truth. I can preach (or converse) about truth related to any subject and God will use it. If I’m speaking truth, I am confident that the line is connected on the other end to the One Who IS the Truth. Eventually that conversation, that relationship, that message, is going to lead the listener back to Him Who is the Truth. It may not be today. Some people listen, discuss, think, and wrestle for YEARS before the planted seed germinates in their heart and they arrive at that moment where they decide to follow Christ.
You aren’t doing the saving, God is. So let Him do it His way. If He is taking His good old time in softening a heart, what is your hurry? Don’t you trust Him? Let Him work in His time. Believe Him when He says that He doesn’t want people to perish. He wants everyone to come to repentance.
Plant the seed of truth. Any truth. Water it. Maybe first you have to prepare the ground or get rid of weeds or pests. It may need more water or nutrients on occasion. In our interaction with souls we may have to do some or all of these things before a heart is ready and the seed germinates into a decision to follow Christ. Let the process happen. Let the soul count the cost.
Everything that relates to people and to the truth (not merely heaven or hell) becomes a pathway that can lead to the call to follow Christ. If that is so, I think it leads to many interesting possibilities for ways to do “evangelism” in our rapidly changing world.