I have spent the past month on Google+ talking to people. Well, actually engaging them in debates. And I have seen many posts and comments against religion, religious people, and perhaps against Christians the most. The arguments and criticisms they make against Christians are all pretty much the same and familiar. We are hypocrites, pushy, arrogant, and judgemental and how can a good God allow bad to happen to good people. As a result many say they will not consider being a religious person, coming to Christ, etc. But what is quite clear through this experience is that not one critic has said anything bad about Christ. They have all been angry at Christians. In other words, it seems to me that WE, NOT CHRIST, are the biggest stumbling block preventing people from coming to Christ. As much as this true, it must grieve the heart of Christ.
Perhaps a lesson from the Apostle Paul would be helpful. While he never shied away from a good debate, and defended the faith with vigor and passion, nowhere do we see an example of him losing his cool, emotionally beating people into accepting Christ, or becoming exasperated with a non-believer and writing them off as a lost cause because they wouldn't convert. What he did was quite simple and we can do it too. All he did was present the Gospel of Christ, every time he could fit it in to the debate/discussion, clearly, sincerely, and with an honest passion. From there, he left the results up to God.
Paul's trick, if you want to call it that, was that he knew who he was in Christ. He had what I call Christ assurance which gave him the inner confidence to not think about himself or how he was doing in the middle of a debate. He did not worry about losing or being embarrassed or not having something to say. Scoring points was not why he engaged his adversaries. The debate was an opportunity to present the Gospel to his adversaries and let God take over from there.
So to be effective for Christ in the market place a few tips from Paul may help.
1. Faith is not logical in the typical use of the word logic.
2. Therefore, no matter how many points we "score" someone who doesn't want to hear will always come up with another reason to object.
3. Therefore, you will not win a logic only debate because the Gospel is not based on "logical" reasoning.
4. Therefore, its not about winning the arguement, its about focusing on presenting the Gospel and leaving it to God.
5. If we become angry and exasperated we are doing it for ourselves, not for Christ.
6. Do not force the Gospel. Look for natural opportunities to graciously present it.
And this is perhaps what I want to stress most. Sharing the Gospel is far more than just telling someone they need Jesus and then walking away. Especially if they do not at first respond as we would like to see. Sharing the Gospel is long term and when we share with a person, we take on the responsibility of seeing them through.
So make sure WE do not offend. If the Gospel offends that is one thing. But Heaven forbid WE should ever be the reason a person decides against Christ.
As Always, in Christ, David M. Cornell
GOD MOMENTS available at Amazon.com key words David M Cornell god moments.
If you can't afford a copy email me at davidmcornell@aol.com and arrangements can be made to send you a copy.
Perhaps a lesson from the Apostle Paul would be helpful. While he never shied away from a good debate, and defended the faith with vigor and passion, nowhere do we see an example of him losing his cool, emotionally beating people into accepting Christ, or becoming exasperated with a non-believer and writing them off as a lost cause because they wouldn't convert. What he did was quite simple and we can do it too. All he did was present the Gospel of Christ, every time he could fit it in to the debate/discussion, clearly, sincerely, and with an honest passion. From there, he left the results up to God.
Paul's trick, if you want to call it that, was that he knew who he was in Christ. He had what I call Christ assurance which gave him the inner confidence to not think about himself or how he was doing in the middle of a debate. He did not worry about losing or being embarrassed or not having something to say. Scoring points was not why he engaged his adversaries. The debate was an opportunity to present the Gospel to his adversaries and let God take over from there.
So to be effective for Christ in the market place a few tips from Paul may help.
1. Faith is not logical in the typical use of the word logic.
2. Therefore, no matter how many points we "score" someone who doesn't want to hear will always come up with another reason to object.
3. Therefore, you will not win a logic only debate because the Gospel is not based on "logical" reasoning.
4. Therefore, its not about winning the arguement, its about focusing on presenting the Gospel and leaving it to God.
5. If we become angry and exasperated we are doing it for ourselves, not for Christ.
6. Do not force the Gospel. Look for natural opportunities to graciously present it.
And this is perhaps what I want to stress most. Sharing the Gospel is far more than just telling someone they need Jesus and then walking away. Especially if they do not at first respond as we would like to see. Sharing the Gospel is long term and when we share with a person, we take on the responsibility of seeing them through.
So make sure WE do not offend. If the Gospel offends that is one thing. But Heaven forbid WE should ever be the reason a person decides against Christ.
As Always, in Christ, David M. Cornell
GOD MOMENTS available at Amazon.com key words David M Cornell god moments.
If you can't afford a copy email me at davidmcornell@aol.com and arrangements can be made to send you a copy.
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