The Christian Duty

How To Reach The Lost- The Biblical Way. The Bible clearly states that the soul that sins shall die. If a person slips into eternity without Christ, the fate that awaits him or her is hell, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth and where the worm does not die. Hell is a hard thing to talk about or even think about, but that is the truth from the Word of God. So, here’s the first question: Do you WANT to step out of your comfort zone and begin to share your faith? You know, the sad thing is that I can presume that most of us do not share our faith on a regular basis. I know I don't. In fact, according to the Barna Research Group, only 55 percent of born-again Christians believe it is their responsibility to even share their faith at all! And according to Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, only 2 percent of Christians share their faith on a regular basis. The second question is this: What does God's Word tell us about sharing our faith? Take a look at the following! Luke 19:10: The Son of man has come to seek and save that which was lost. Romans 10:14: How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 2 Corinthians 5:9 - 20: Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. How can we question our responsibility to share Christ? If we believe what we say we believe--namely, that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him--and if we truly believe there is a heaven and a hell, and that there is no such place as purgatory, then we can't go on ignoring the spiritual condition of the people around us!

Your House Is On Fire! Imagine seeing a group of firefighters polishing their engine outside a burning building with people trapped on the top floor! Nothing is wrong with cleaning a fire engine—but something is wrong with cleaning a fire engine while people are trapped in a burning building! Instead of ignoring their cries, the firefighters should have an overwhelming sense of urgency to rescue them. That’s the spirit that should be behind the task of evangelism. As I said before, only 2 percent of believers regularly share their faith with others. That means that 98 percent of the professing Body of Christ does not sense the need to tell anyone about the salvation they received even when they know others need to receive it as well. Oswald J. Smith said, “Oh my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the Church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected.” We have polished the engines of worship, prayer, and praise and neglected the sober task given to us by God. A firefighter who ignores his responsibilities and allows people to perish in flames is not a firefighter; he is an impostor. How can we ignore our responsibility and allow the world to walk blindly into the fires of hell? If God’s love dwells in us, we must warn them. The Bible tells us to “have compassion...save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 22-23). If you don’t have love and compassion, ASK HIM FOR IT! I can testify that I was just like that. I didn’t want to see people going to hell, but the truth is, I really wasn’t doing anything about it. It will always be a spiritual battle. The enemy will hit us hard, but we have the words of eternal life. Satan will do all he can to keep us quiet. BUT this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith, AMEN! Charles Spurgeon once said, “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.” That is a hard statement...but think about it! But then remember that God will always answer the earnest cry of any believer who cries out, "Lord, give me compassion for the lost." If God is speaking to you about your lack of evangelistic concern, before your head hits the pillow tonight, ask Him to make you a true and faithful witness, and to fill you with HIS compassion. We must stop making excuses! So How...? The next logical question is this: Would you know how to share the Gospel with someone who is not "down and out"? Someone such as your doctor, your child's teacher, your mailman, or the person behind you in the grocery line? Do you have an effective way to share the Gospel with everyone? Would you know how to move a conversation from the natural to the spiritual? There are many ways Christians use to reach the lost.. but there is only ONE Biblical way. You have heard the slogan, "What would Jesus do?" I think a better question might be, "What did Jesus do?" Look at Jesus and the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17! What DID Jesus do? He used the Ten Commandments to bring conviction of sin. What does the Bible says about the Ten Commandments or the moral law of God? Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul... Galatians 3:24 The law is a school master or (Teacher) to bring us to Christ. Romans 7:7 I would have not known sin except by the law. Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Romans 2:15 The work of the law is written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. We must remember that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. If I were to tell you I have paid $1 million to purchase the cure for a horrible, terminal disease and that I am going to give you the cure, you would probably think I am a bit loony. But, if I took the time to tell you that you have the disease and that there are 10 sure symptoms of the disease written all over you and you will die without the cure, you will be far more likely to listen and accept the cure...even eagerly reach for it...and will probably even be ever so grateful to me for providing it! In the same way: When you take the time to shine the mirror of the Ten Commandments onto the heart of a self- righteous sinner, and to expose the disease of their sin, then the cure will make sense to that person. If a person doesn't fully understand that he or she is lost, he or she won't understand the need to be saved. So how does it work? Many people think they must get to know a person before they can share the gospel with that person. YOU WILL NOT find that in Scripture! Did Jesus do that with the rich young ruler? The woman at the well? How about the Pharisees? How about the great multitudes that followed Him at the Mount of Olives? No, you won't find it in Scripture. It sounds like a nice idea - but you won't find it in Scripture. Friendship evangelism is NOT recorded in Scripture. Remember, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Use the "Law" to resist the proud as Jesus did. The "law" is the teacher! It points its cold, chilly finger at sin. When we say, "All have sinned"... the unregenerate sinner says, "I agree, so what?" If you, along with a group of others, are caught by the law vandalizing a neighborhood, it won't matter how many lawbreakers are with you, you will still be personally guilty. Once the law has done its work on a self-righteous person, then that person is ready for the cure. Then and only then will the cross of Christ no longer be foolish and we will see results. If someone says they have not sinned then ask them if they have committed adultery; if they have stolen, if they have lied etc. Of course since all have sinned then if they are honest they will admit that they have failed at least one or more of the commandments which means that they are sinners. Furthermore, "For whoever shall keep the whole law and stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10) The law cuts through all the clever arguements into the heart of the individual. They may not admit it then and there but the seed truly will have been planted and they will dwell on it and the Holy Spirit can work in their hearts in their still times of reflection. If they do conceed that they are sinners and confess a need of getting right with God, then you can introduce them to Jesus and God's new covenant of grace. As I said, we can and should befriend people, but this in itself only shows that Christians are "nice" people after all. We can and should show through historical, archaelogical, manuscript evidence etc that the Bible is accurate, but this only shows that it is reliable. We can and should show prophecy fulfilled, but this only shows that it is supernaturally inspired. There are 101 things that are well and good and recommended, but in and of themselves do not bring a person to repentance. How can one be saved unless one has come to Christ for forgiveness of their sins? How can one be forgiven of their sins unless they have repented? How can one repent unless one has something to repent of? How can one repent of something unless they are aware that they have sinned? How can one be aware that they have sinned unless their sin is pointed out to them? How can sin be pointed out to them unless they have the 10 commandments showing them that they have fallen short of the glory of God? If a person doesn't fully understand that he or she is lost, he or she won't understand the need to be saved. S/he won't understand the need to be saved if they aren't aware that they are a sinners. S/he won't understand they are sinners unless their life is compared to God's moral standard of perfection. That they, the unsaved may or do not initially believe is irrelevant as NO ONE believes at first..that is why we ALL must come to be saved. Just as light is painful and offensive for those accustomed to the dark, the law is offensive and painful for those who are perishing..it is to THOSE that the law is for to show them that -whether they believe then and there or not- they are sinners before God and cannot hope to attain His standard of perfection. No one comes to Christ unless the Father first draws them as as fallen individuals no one is seeking after God. It is not our job to convince them that it is right per se. We are but to provide the truth and the evidence. The real work belongs to the Holy Spirit who works in the heart of the individual. But how can the Spirit work if He has nothing to work with? If we have not planted the seed of truth in their hearts- ie if we have not caused them to be aware of a need for Christ the Saviour by comparing their life against the 10 commandments which cuts through all arguements, how can He possibly convict them of their guilt and their need for a saviour so that they can be drawn to the saviour? I will close with this thought: Forgiveness is only of value if the offender is aware of the seriousness and consequences of the offence. Comments? Queries? Suggestions?