Even though I’m thoroughly tired of the subject, I want to address one of the questions posed by critics of my Ray-Comfort’s-gospel critique. The question is a red herring, having nothing to do with my actual point, but I think it’s worth answering.
“Short answer:” I wrote, “you can’t.” Being pressed for a better answer, I offered one that seemed to satisfy the inquirer, but upon further reflection, I’m not satisfied with it. I stand by it as far as it went, but it didn’t really get to the bottom of the issue. My short answer, better stated, is, “You shouldn’t feel compelled to.” I say that because
It’s not an emergency. I reject the notion that, if you’ve only got a few minutes with someone, you need to cram the entire gospel, from start to finish, into those minutes. That idea seems to assume that the salvation of the individual depends on you, and that there is no sovereign God orchestrating the circumstances and events in the lives of his elect to bring them into the fold. Remember,
You’re only one link in the chain. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Get to know who you are talking to, where they are in their knowledge of God and the gospel, and go from there. Take your time, and be thorough. Whether you are planting or watering, give it your best, not your fastest, and if your time is cut short, trust that God has other workers in his vineyard who will harvest the fruit as it ripens. Repeat, be thorough, because
The gospel doesn’t fit on a bumper sticker. You might squeeze it onto a fat man’s T-shirt, but I don’t recommend it. The gospel is a lot bigger than John 3:16. Furthermore, John 3:16 implies a lot more than most think it does. “Believes in him” is a loaded phrase that demands answers to questions like who is “him,” what did he do, and why did he do it? Each of those questions leads to vital theological discussions (What? Theology in evangelism? Zoinks!) concerning the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Finally,
Don’t worry about closing the deal. “The deal” will close itself, that is, the gospel empowered by the Holy Spirit — or the Holy Spirit working through the Word — will raise the dead to life. You might be there to see it, and you might not, but rest assured, it will happen (Romans 8:29–30).
Do you believe that? If so, you’ll be more concerned with the fullness of your gospel than the speed with which you can present it.
One more thing: Predictably, some seem to think that a man or his method should be above criticism if he’s pretty close to right and intentions are good. That’s just nonsense. That’s not how progress has ever been made in any field. That attitude is not productive, it’s no logical, and it’s not biblical. It’s not a mature attitude, so if it’s yours, I suggest you go sit at the kid’s table and let the grown-ups talk. Thank you.
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5 Comments:
#1 || 11·10·06··16:31 || Betsy Markman
Awesome, yes! Who are we to think that WE save anyone?
I used to be really good at getting people to listen to my canned gospel presentations and to repeat a prayer after me, and I used to feel like I was pretty hot stuff, if the truth be told. *Gag!* I doubt I truly led anyone into anything other than false assurance at most (though many probably prayed just to get me out of their house on a Tuesday night).
So much of our "evangelism" completely leaves the Holy Spirit out. No manipulated prayer ever saved anyone.
#2 || 11·10·06··16:55 || David Kjos
OK, I’d better burn this straw man before someone jumps me! I haven’t said Ray Comfort or anyone else thinks they can save anyone. I said that they seem to assume that the salvation of the individual depends on them. They may not consciously think that way, but their urgency is inconsistent with a total trust in the sovereignty of God.
#3 || 11·10·06··17:11 || donsands
"What? Theology in evangelism? Zoinks!"
That's the truth though Shaggy, isn't it.
Great encouragement in this post. And yet, we certainly can have a heavy heart for the lost, along with knwoing with full assurance it is our Lord who saves a lost soul. He is the Good Shepherd, who seeks out His beloved wandering sheep, whom He has eternal love within His heart for, and so He laid down his life, and shed His precious blood for these same lost sheep.
I had a tough time today talking with a friend, whose father died not to long ago, and we were discussing the death of Stephen Jobs. It's hard to talk about heaven and hell, and life and death sometimes. At least it is for me.
Thanks for the encouragement David.
#4 || 11·10·07··16:53 || Betsy Markman
Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to seem to put words in your mouth. I was really thinking of my own pride in thinking I "saved people" back in the day.
#5 || 11·10·07··17:48 || David Kjos
Yes, I know. But some folks don’t read very carefully.