It is clear that our ability to bring others to Christ can easily be impaired by two factors. The first is loss of conviction that the word of God is capable of making the necessary changes in the person’s life, and the other is doubt that we can live holy lives to show others the way.<\/p>\n
Since we have been told that people no longer accept authority of any type, some have doubted that the direct teaching of the authoritative word of God is sufficient to cause a person to change. Thus the thrust of some \u201coutreach\u201d programs is to do nice things for people, draw them in through benevolence programs, and community activities. In short, get people in though association with them until they can get to know how nice we are and all the programs we have for people, and what a great life they can have being with us. But, we have to look at the matter, not from our perspective, but from the perspective of the people we are trying to attract. If they come to us for what they can get, is that the correct emphasis? Will that do anything to change them for the better or help them to be more like God. Their lives are already lived in the getting mode, the self-centered mode. What will this approach do to bring them closer to God in the spiritual sense? They would not have not learned anything more about he nature of God, but have simply found a new source of physical and emotional support.<\/p>\n
Jesus did great things that the people saw, such as healing the sick or multiplying food and feeding thousands. These signs were to show them that he was the Son of God. But, He noticed that they were misunderstanding the signs. John 6:26-27 we find His words:<\/p>\n
26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”<\/p>\n
Some religious leaders seek to have many follow them. Jesus had that, but He was not content just to have a following, He wanted changed people, and said to them:<\/p>\n
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-33)<\/p>\n
He he was preparing His disciples to a life like His, a life of giving, not getting. The signs showed people that he was the Christ, but His words were necessary to show them how to live. People may begin to follow us because we are good to them, but we much show them how to be disciples, if we are to help them to become what God wants them to be. They must change their mentality from a getting mentality to a giving one. And to make the difference, we must transmit to them God’s word.<\/p>\n
And His word is able to make the difference. Hebrews 4:12 says:<\/p>\n
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<\/p>\n
Also, in Romans 1:15-16, God tells us this through the apostle Paul:<\/p>\n
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.<\/p>\n
God’s word containing the wonderful message of God’s love and salvation through Christ is the power that will make the difference in the lives of those who will believe it. Nothing else has this power. Nothing else can do what the loving, authoritative word of God can do. Not all will receive it, but it is the only hope, and it is powerful enough to do what God sends it to do. As Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us:<\/p>\n
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.<\/p>\n
The other great impediment to the teaching of the word is the lack of confidence that the word can be lived in the life of the follower of Christ. All too frequently, we hear people who are known as brothers and sisters in Christ say that we are all only sinners saved by the grace of Christ. We know that this is true in one sense, but using such a statement to excuse ourselves from living holy lives, is not excusable.<\/p>\n
It is God’s intention that our lives be an example for all around to see. Otherwise Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:10-16 would have no real meaning:<\/p>\n
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.<\/p>\n
The unique nature of the life of the follower of Christ is an example for all, as he by faith puts into practice, as well as he can, with ever increasing results as he grows and matures, the wonderful word of God. If this were not possible, God’s words in 1 Peter 1:14 would be a lie:<\/p>\n
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. <\/p>\n
It is true that we each have many things to work on, but the necessity to make those changes to live a holy life is not optional, but is required. Christian character in the life of one who truly believes, even when he has to suffer for his convictions, is a great evidence that the unbeliever cannot logically deny. He\/she may choose to ignore it, but it is always there. (For much more detail, please click on this link: Is There A Real Difference?<\/a>)<\/p>\n We must listen no more to the voices that tell us that we cannot reach the world through the teaching of he word of God and that we must depend on other methodologies and strategies to \u201chook\u201d people into association with Christians. We must also determine to do our part to make our lives an example of what a believer is, so that we can show that the way of Christ is not simply a theory that cannot be put into practice, but truly a way of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is clear that our ability to bring others to Christ can easily be impaired by two factors. The first is loss of conviction that the word of God is capable of making the necessary changes in the person’s life, … Continue reading