Thursday, January 28, 2010
Do You Think It's Wrong To Wear Polyester?
It is sometimes amazing that folks who do not follow the Lord will attempt to use His Holy Word to challenge those who do. The headline of today's article, "Do you think it's wrong to wear polyester?" is one such challenge. Let's look at this challenge in today's post.
When sharing the gospel it is common for a non-believer to become uncomfortable as you reveal truth. Darkness does not seek the light, so when the doorway to truth begins to open and light pours in, they seek to escape. Perhaps by moving the conversation in a new direction, the door will pause in its progress, halting the approaching brightness of truth. This type of defense is a non-sequitur, or a topic that does not fit in the logical progression of a conversation. A frequent type of non-sequitur, including tossing out random Biblical verses, is called a red-herring.
A red herring is used to divert attention, or change the course of the conversation. This tells you that the person is uncomfortable, and wants to either put you on the defensive or create a line of discussion that is more to their liking.
Do not allow the conversation to suddenly move off topic. Your reply should immediately lead back to the main point of the gospel. Consider handling it with a simple, "That's an interesting question, let's talk about it after I finish this point." I've heard Ray Comfort deflect red-herrings with the simple statement, "Interesting," before immediately returning to the point he was making. You do not need to get off track, but you do need to understand what is happening: the person feels convicted. Despite their protests and defensive moves, the truth is making a difference. Later, if you have the opportunity, you can address the question.
As for the red-herring that led off this post, "Do you think it's wrong to wear polyester?" this probably comes from reading into the text of Leviticus 19:19, which says (in part): "You shall not... wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together." Atheists and agnostics read this and conclude that Christians should not wear blends of material, such as polyester.
The fact is, Biblical scholars do not know the reason behind this commandment, which was given to the nation of Israel as they wandered in the desert shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. Some scholars believe the reference was to an idolatrous practice of the day, and the Lord was warning the Jews to not allow any appearance of sin.
If you think this might be far fetched, consider a reader in the future, without access to most of the literature of today, who reads the following: "It could be deadly to wear purple and gold in the city." Would they be right to conclude that our society thought that these two colors, when in close proximity, would create some deadly toxin? Would someone in the future mock a historian with, "Gee, do you believe that colors can kill?"
What if they discovered that these colors are the mark of a particular gang in a local city, and that wearing those colors into the territory of another gang could spark gun-fire? Suddenly the warning makes complete sense.
The fact is, we do not have enough information to determine why the Lord gave the command in Lev 19:19, but we do know clearly that someone who dies in their sin, without trusting the one and only Savior, will be eternally in torment.
Be bold, Christian, and do not allow red-herrings to deter the gospel.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
But I Don't Know How To Share The Gospel...
Frequently, when discussing evangelism with other Christians, I hear some version of the statement: "But, I don't know how to share the gospel."
Other versions of this statement include: "I don't have the gift of evangelism" or "I'm not equipped to answer people's questions."
Perhaps you have thought the same thing, or responded with similar sentiments after hearing a sermon on evangelism, or when faced with someone who tells you about the latest time they shared the gospel with a friend, loved-one, or stranger.
If you have, then you may think that my next statement is harsh. However, I believe that what you are really saying is: God's Word is wrong.
Before you click that "close-window" button, let's look for a moment at what God's word says:
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of call the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."" (NASB 95)
2 Timothy 4:1-2, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
As Christians we are commanded to "go... preach... make disciples... be ready...". We are also told that God's Word is profitable for training and will equip the man of God for every good work.
Since we are commanded to preach the gospel, then sharing the gospel must be a good work, and since God's Word is adequate to teach and prepare us for every good work, then it can prepare us for evangelism!
In addition, God provides the Holy Spirit to further teach us and guide us. Luke 2:12 says, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Read 2 Corinthians 2. Paul describes how his preaching was not based on his knowledge or fine oratory skills, but on the Holy Spirit guiding him.
To me, all of this means that when Christians conclude they are not capable of sharing the gospel, what they are actually saying is, "God, you've met your match in me. You gave me a responsibility that I cannot perform. You made a mistake."
If you still think I am being too harsh, just know that I used to be the same way. I made every excuse in the book for not sharing the gospel. In retrospect my excuses were nothing more than pride and disobedience.
Thankfully I was challenged by a God-fearing man who refused to soft-pedal the commandment to share the gospel. Since then I have studied God's Word, studied various world-views, had numerous conversations with the lost, and learned to trust the Lord more and more as a result.
Trust God's Word. Learn from God's Word. Trust the Holy Spirit. Leave your pride and disobedience at the foot of the Cross. Share the gospel before it is too late.
Other versions of this statement include: "I don't have the gift of evangelism" or "I'm not equipped to answer people's questions."
Perhaps you have thought the same thing, or responded with similar sentiments after hearing a sermon on evangelism, or when faced with someone who tells you about the latest time they shared the gospel with a friend, loved-one, or stranger.
If you have, then you may think that my next statement is harsh. However, I believe that what you are really saying is: God's Word is wrong.
Before you click that "close-window" button, let's look for a moment at what God's word says:
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of call the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."" (NASB 95)
2 Timothy 4:1-2, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."
2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
As Christians we are commanded to "go... preach... make disciples... be ready...". We are also told that God's Word is profitable for training and will equip the man of God for every good work.
Since we are commanded to preach the gospel, then sharing the gospel must be a good work, and since God's Word is adequate to teach and prepare us for every good work, then it can prepare us for evangelism!
In addition, God provides the Holy Spirit to further teach us and guide us. Luke 2:12 says, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Read 2 Corinthians 2. Paul describes how his preaching was not based on his knowledge or fine oratory skills, but on the Holy Spirit guiding him.
To me, all of this means that when Christians conclude they are not capable of sharing the gospel, what they are actually saying is, "God, you've met your match in me. You gave me a responsibility that I cannot perform. You made a mistake."
If you still think I am being too harsh, just know that I used to be the same way. I made every excuse in the book for not sharing the gospel. In retrospect my excuses were nothing more than pride and disobedience.
Thankfully I was challenged by a God-fearing man who refused to soft-pedal the commandment to share the gospel. Since then I have studied God's Word, studied various world-views, had numerous conversations with the lost, and learned to trust the Lord more and more as a result.
Trust God's Word. Learn from God's Word. Trust the Holy Spirit. Leave your pride and disobedience at the foot of the Cross. Share the gospel before it is too late.
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