What are we doing wrong? Part 2

The gospel is unchanging. The church, however, needs to consider what to change about the delivery of the gospel message to make it more clear while not changing the content of it in an attempt to be less offensive.  We also need to find practical ways to demonstrate the message of the gospel. It has not and will never change. We must however be very specific in our aim. Satan is the target and the goal is to release his captives with the truth. This is not done by attacking those who do not know the truth. We must have genuine concern for the lost. When we see every human as souls with an eternal destiny, then the importance of sharing God's truth becomes evident. We must do our part. Being an athlete in high school and college the times of sitting on the bench were frustrating. Whether it was due to inexperience, needing rest, or injury, the lack of ability to contribute to the success of our team was not pleasant. Yet, in our Christian lives we often are content to sit on the bench and let other players do all the work. Maybe we watch from the sidelines because we are not sure of what we are to do. If we were truly confident of our purpose we would eagerly live it out, determined to make a difference in the outcome. Our purpose is to share truth lovingly and yet unapologetically leaving the acceptance of truth to the individual. This is done in a couple of ways.

 

First, it is imperative we share what we are FOR because most of the world is very familiar with what we are against. Our message has been received by many as a bunch of legalistic rules that must be followed in order to be a good Christian. And anyone seen breaking a rule is deemed a hypocrite. We have all heard that argument. When in reality it is not about the rules at all. What?!?! That's right, the rules are for our protection not for our saving. Once we experience the love of Christ and give our lives to Him, we know that His guidelines are for our best interest. Sovereign God established the parameters of righteousness and morality when He laid the foundation of creation. These parameters have not shifted or evolved with society. What children of God are FOR is a loving relationship with the sovereign God who in turn is our guardian and provider. He has written a love letter, the Bible, to us guiding us to our best life possible. Obedience to Him results in blessings. "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth." Deuteronomy 28:1. We need to share that not only do we obey out of fear of the almighty, (“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Deuteronomy 6:1-2) but more importantly out of love for Him. These scriptures are being spoken to the Israelite people. Those who worshipped Him already. Following His statutes does not result in salvation. True salvation produces following His statutes. 

 

I recently asked a class of Christian teens if they thought it was fair for a person who accepted Christ as an elderly person to receive the same reward as the person who gave their life to Christ at a young age and lived a life devoted to Him. They all felt like the life long servant of Christ should be rewarded more. This is a common misconception in the church, that even followers of Christ feel they are some how short changed during this life by lifelong service and sacrifice. When the definition of sacrifice is "the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim." (dictionary.com) What we give up is insignificant in comparison to what we gain in return. The much greater reward is having the Holy Spirit, God Himself, residing in us to comfort, guide, provide, and protect us from all things throughout this life, as opposed to facing it all in our own strength.  That is the message we are to understand in our own hearts and to convey to others. What an immeasurable blessing to walk though this life, which is filled with trials and pitfalls, with the creator of all things by our side and in our hearts.

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.”

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.

I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around. Psalm 3:1-6

How can there be any negative to that?!? The power and wisdom who created all things, loves us enough to guide, to let us know what is best for us and bless us when we are faithful. "A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." Proverbs 28:20. When we acknowledge the sacrifice Christ made to redeem us unto Himself by His death on the cross, our overwhelming gratitude and undying love compel us to obedience trusting His way.

Second, we often express truth as if we are in some kind of contest with others to prove them wrong. As if we are waiting for some dim light bulb to go off over the head of the unbeliever, with a heart ready to think, if not say, 'I told you so!' The unbeliever would be very reluctant to offer any satisfaction to such a condescending approach. We, who are blessed enough to comprehend the truth, are responsible for releasing the captive from their chains by handing them the keys of truth because we care for their souls. We must understand that God does not expect those who do not know Him to be obedient to his precepts. But the church must not embrace sinful behavior and lifestyles. We must stay true to God's word out of love and devotion to Him as well as to not lead others who do not know Him astray. What draws the lost to saving knowledge of Christ are faithful examples being lived out in front of them. Lives that demonstrate grace and piety along with maturity that does not rate one sin as smaller than another. The piety is necessary for demonstrating in practical ways our love for Christ and obedience to Him, as well as an unwillingness to question His wisdom.

We must not see the lost as our enemy. The enemy is Satan. Our life with Christ is a blessing and we must humbly share that blessing with others. This does not guarantee that all will accept Christ. His word tells us not all will. If it were simply a matter of doing everything the right way EVERYONE who came in contact with Christ would have followed.  We will be hated and persecuted but our confidence in the truth we profess, and the one who protects us, gives us the strength to share it anyway. The church must not stay silent on morality for fear of alienating some. The church is to be a living representation of Christ on earth and is to be accepted as such. If not it is not the church. It is some twisted conformation of what society wants it to be.  The truth IS Christ. "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6. If anyone rejects the truth of God's word it is the same as rejecting Him. We must first believe that a life devoted to Christ and obedience to Him is the optimal life to live. Second, we must convey that the obedient life is inclusive of anyone and welcomes all who will choose it the way it is and the parameters it has.