“Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer; it is almost essentially connected with it. One who always prays is ever giving praise, whether in ease or pain, both for prosperity and for the greatest adversity. He blesses God for all things, looks on them as coming from Him, and receives them for His sake- not choosing nor refusing, liking or disliking, anything, but only as it is agreeable or disagreeable to His perfect will.”
“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” 1 Timothy 1:8
Modern techniques for sharing the Christian faith utilize a wide range of approaches. Unfortunately, the one approach Christians should use is largely ignored. I want to believe this oversight is out of ignorance, not knowing that the biblically prescribed method for evangelizing is to actually share with the unbeliever what God’s Word has to say about their spiritual condition, and the standard by which they will be judged if they remain in that condition.
Sadly I don’t think that is the case in far too many instances. Instead of sharing the biblically prescribed method of sharing God’s mercy and grace in salvation, many Christians think it best to present the Gospel in a beautifully gift wrapped package comprised of exhortations to understand that God loves them so much and wants to bless them with a bountiful, abundant life. This well-intentioned, though misinformed advertisement for God is usually accompanied by a smiling “God wants you to have your best life now” promotion. Is this the biblical method of evangelism?
Friends, it is not. The starting place for any conversation with an unbeliever is God’s Word and what it says about unbelief and eternal judgment. From there you must address the truth that apart from faith in God every unbeliever is trying to earn their salvation by their own deeds. Finally, the unbeliever must understand that God’s Word says no one is righteous by their own deeds (Romans 3).
So how must we go about sharing the Christian faith with unbelievers? What does the biblically mandated method include? For one thing it includes telling the unbeliever about God’s Law. Why the Law? The great reformer Martin Luther said this of the Law of God: “In its true and proper work and purpose it humbles a man and prepares him – if he uses the Law correctly – to yearn and seek for grace.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy to “use the Law lawfully.” What does that mean? It means that we are to use the Law for its intended purpose. What is the intended purpose of the Law? The Bible tells us that the Law is meant to be a tutor, leading us to faith in Christ. Other passages speak of the Law as a mirror that shows us what sin really is and having performed that task to shut up every mouth that tries to justify sinful behavior (Romans 3).
The problems with forsaking the biblical method of evangelism are myriad. First, what will you do when the “God offers you happiness” approach comes up against someone who professes happiness already? What will you say to the one who already has a good marriage, well-behaved children, a fabulous job, and a general sense of well-being with their life?
Second, how does offering someone happiness if they will believe in God cleanse them of their sin? And how can anyone possibly be forgiven of their sin without repentance? The “God offers you happiness” approach to evangelism is simply unbiblical and results in false converts every time.
Friends, too much is at stake to be worrying about offending anyone with the truth of God’s Word concerning unbelief. We should not become so preoccupied with how people will respond to our concern for their eternal destiny that we attempt to soften the biblical description of their predicament.
The Law of God was given to identify sin and to make the sinner understand that they are personally responsible before a holy God. In the understanding of sin’s nature however come a broken heart and a repentance that leads to the cross of Jesus.
It is at the cross where transformation occurs. Oh what a glorious truth!
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:3-4, 9
It is a well-known fact that today’s ministry leaders are busier than ever, with schedules full of meetings, counseling sessions, and church events. Add to this already burgeoning load the necessity to spend time with spouse, children, families, and you have a recipe for exhaustion.
How can today’s ministry leaders manage all of this well? By remembering one very important fact – as a child of God by faith, we are called by God and are being conformed by Him into the image of Jesus Christ. This has several implications.
First, we have a personal relationship with our Creator and Savior that needs to be cultivated. Second, our own sanctification and the time we devote to it will shape our ability to minister to others. Third, we cannot give to others or model for others what we do not have or know ourselves.
There are a few things that are absolute musts for all believers and especially so for those who lead others. Here are 3 primary areas to cultivate in your life.
Friends, it is important that you take an active role in your own sanctification. Understanding this will become a transforming truth.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
Are you captivated by Christ or by the world? That is the context for Paul’s admonition to the Colossian believers. Our focus verse sums up the point Paul made earlier in this passage by telling his readers that his great desire was for them to attain “all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.”
So, if our spiritual wealth comes from a full assurance of understanding that true knowledge is found in an ever-growing relationship with Jesus Christ, why do we still give so much time, attention, and value to the things of this world?
Some may think that they are not captive to the world and are captive to Christ. There is any easy test to prove whether or not this is true. Ask yourself a few probing questions such as:
Friends, we were once all captive to the domain of darkness but God in His mercy caused us to be born again into a living hope. God desires to transform us into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. It is His desire that we be renewed day by day in our thinking so that we will understand the riches of His mercy and grace. Don’t trade this magnificent inheritance for the things the world has to offer.
That is a transforming truth.
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5
In most Christian churches today doctrine reigns supreme as the number one litmus test for fellowship as well as for consideration for leadership and ministry. Believe the same things as those in power and you’re in. Have a different view on specific subjects and not only are you not considered for leadership, you are essentially shunned for any other ministry opportunity.
Is this the right approach? How can the big “C” Church ever become united as Christ prayed we would if we allow doctrine to divide us? In our focus passage the Apostle Paul urged Timothy to teach sound doctrine. On this we can all agree – sound doctrine matters. But here is where we have to consider a very important question – does disagreement on certain doctrinal matters disqualify one for ministry or leadership?
People ask me all the time why there are so many denominations. My answer is nearly always the same – because people make doctrine the dividing line and forget that what really matters is the life we live based on the doctrine we believe. What do I mean by that?
Note that after Paul instructed Timothy to correct the strange doctrines being taught in his day, he gave Timothy the reason why doctrine matters – because “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” In other words, doctrine matters but the more important thing is that what you believe results in godliness, a pure heart, a good or clean conscience, and a sincere faith.
If you are like me you know churches which allow for the most oppressive, obnoxious, and rude behavior from its leaders because they adhere to certain doctrinal positions. The true litmus test of the validity of any doctrine is the fruit it produces. Doctrinal “purity” that does not lead to godliness and the spiritual fruit of Galatians 5 is no better than the “strange doctrine” Paul warns Timothy about. It is high time that the big “C” Church came to grips with this truth.
When we do, we will all experience a transformation in our relationships, ministries, and churches.