What do you offer non-believers?
I was sitting in a Sunday school yesterday and was blown away. Of course, the Sunday school teacher did not get my comment, but it was one that has had me thinking all day. "What do we offer non-believers?"
Think about the evangelism you have learned--the question is always, "if you died tonight where would you go--Heaven or Hell?" The youth ministry events you once went to--what was the final question of the night--"Believe in Christ, and you will not go to Hell."
When we approach non-believers, we offer Hell. We do not offer hope. We offer a negative approach--you're going to Hell, why not go to Heaven? I think we have missed the mark in evangelism.
Think about Paul! He never offered Hell. In his epistles, I cannot recall once him telling the non-believers they were going to Hell. Instead, he offered more of himself.
Read Romans 9:3--"For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race..." Wow, what a statement. His prayer was that-- He wanted his Jewish brothers to known Christ so badly, he would sacrifice his own salvation. He knew it could never be done, but what a powerful statement.
The question I have for you is this--when you bring Jesus to others, do you offer Hell as the alternative, or do you offer the Hope in Christ? Do you honestly hurt for those around you who are condemned, or do you see yourself as a marketing manager for God?
Think about it,
was
Think about the evangelism you have learned--the question is always, "if you died tonight where would you go--Heaven or Hell?" The youth ministry events you once went to--what was the final question of the night--"Believe in Christ, and you will not go to Hell."
When we approach non-believers, we offer Hell. We do not offer hope. We offer a negative approach--you're going to Hell, why not go to Heaven? I think we have missed the mark in evangelism.
Think about Paul! He never offered Hell. In his epistles, I cannot recall once him telling the non-believers they were going to Hell. Instead, he offered more of himself.
Read Romans 9:3--"For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race..." Wow, what a statement. His prayer was that-- He wanted his Jewish brothers to known Christ so badly, he would sacrifice his own salvation. He knew it could never be done, but what a powerful statement.
The question I have for you is this--when you bring Jesus to others, do you offer Hell as the alternative, or do you offer the Hope in Christ? Do you honestly hurt for those around you who are condemned, or do you see yourself as a marketing manager for God?
Think about it,
was
posted by Was at
4:46 PM
4 Comments:
Is the hope we offer in the name of Christ simply insurance for the afterlife? Why has evangelism blinded so many from the other great attributes of Christianity? Yes, we have the "Great Commission", but let's not forget the words of Jesus himself: "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." Let us separate from proselytism to focus on good works here and now on Earth, and not simply offer assurance of a “better life” to come.
Liam, your thoughts are provoking. I believe your understanding is on point with only one exception--the Great Commission is important. It is just the way modern christianity has used it. Rather than focusing on "Heaven and Hell" we need to understand that Jesus was concerned about our salvation now, not just in death.
God bless,
was
i think its all in how you look at it. but being a southern baptist i am spoon fed this stuff. haha. i think that the gospel itself is offensive, and you are not offering hell.. but its Gods word that is. like with anything, a little common sense go's a long way. :)
I think the Gospel is truth and not offensive when you realize that it frees you from sin. That is not what we typically preach; we preach that "what is going to happen when you die?" What about what are you doing now?
was
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