Vocal Evangelism as an Essential

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him [of] whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-15)

Christians need to be vocalizing the Gospel. I'm not the best at this, but I'm working on it. I tend to do it better in writing. But, as the verse above suggests, how will those who do not believe hear the message of Christ if Christians are not vocalizing that message?

The kingdom of God tarries while the number of those chosen from eternity past are brought into the faith in Christ. We do not know how many that will be, except that as long as we are here on earth, that number has not been reached. Therefore, evangelism (the vocal, sometimes uncomfortable kind) is really a Christian essential, despite often being treated as a non-essential.

If we treat it as non-essential, we ignore Christ's own words in His commission to the disciples to spread the Word to the ends of the earth. Christ died that men and women from all nations and tribes across the earth might believe and be saved. Though, not everyone on earth will be saved, and many will still reject Christ.

Yet, we do not know God's mind, or the heart of the unbeliever. How will they call on Christ if they have not heard the good news? How will they hear the good news if someone doesn't preach it? And, if it is the pastor's job to equip and make disciples, it is really the disciples (Christians) who are meant to be the hands and feet reaching out to the lost on a day-to-day basis.

So, let us treat evangelism as an essential. Some will say, "it is better to live the gospel by our actions," but who has ever come to saving faith in Christ by watching someone live a moral life, yet not hearing the message of Christ? No one. We can be compassionate, kind, and representative of a moral life, and in fact should as followers of Christ, yet we must also be vocalizing the gospel message to the lost.

Preach the true Gospel of Christ crucified for our sins as propitiation to satisfy God's wrath against sinful man. And preach the grace and mercy found in that sacrifice, as any who call on the name of the Christ will be saved. Those who repent of their sin, and put full faith in the finished work of Christ, are saved. Without the sacrifice, there could be no mercy- no forgiveness. We must establish the tough news of everyone having a sin problem, before we can explain the good news found through salvation in Christ.

I'll work on my vocal evangelizing confidence, and I hope my Christian brothers and sisters will too. It is essential that we tell the world of the coming King.

Let us fulfill our essential Christian calling and reach the lost for Christ.

Focused on the Truth

Let me share my heart.

In 2012 I was theologically on fire for God and focused on writing to share His truths as best as I was able. Often in my life I have hit these "seasonal highs" for lack of better terminology. It seems every time though, it gradually gets stolen away. My focus shifts, or someone challenges something I say, and being unable to persuade my cause, I lose heart.

In 2013, one of my toughest years so far, I still began with an intense focus on God. In the midst of our heartache, I confirmed my commitment publicly by being baptized and acknowledging Christ as Lord formally (though I would argue my justification in Christ had come before this time).

As I learned more about the Bible and Christ, I drew ever closer to God. Yet, somewhere along the way I again lost focus. I hit a dry patch and stopped writing and studying. 

It's been said, and I would argue this is Biblical, that the closer we draw to God, often the more attacks we experience spiritually. Paul says in Ephesians 6 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but spiritual powers. Satan has managed to snatch My focus a number of times in my life.

A few years back, I helped lead a lecture on false gospels, and had done immense prep beforehand, as it was my first public teaching of God. Almost immediately after, though, I still recall I hit another dry period. All the intense focus leading up to that lecture disappeared, or I'm inclined to see now, was snatched.

I have been in positions of service within various churches (often on praise teams or through missions) over the years, and it seems after a season each time, my focus is again snatched.

I do not believe it is evidence of not having been saved, as I have that assurance, so diligently sought over the years. I know my purpose in life is to glorify God. Yet, I wonder sometimes why I have not been more bold in speaking of the Gospel.

In writing, with time, I present ideas that upon re-reading often seem as if someone else was holding the pen (typing in this age). I look back on some of what I wrote and I can see God was working through my writing to help convey His message.

Lest I sound arrogant, I am not meaning to imply that my words are "God breathed" or "Scripture," only that God seems to have given me a gift of teaching, that I tend to display better in writing.

Over the years some things that have held me back are, increased distraction from Television, video games and other entertainment. Also, fear of upsetting the family balance by challenging some of the preconceived notions my family holds towards Christ. And, wishing to see many friends understand the truth. For there is no denying the truth of the Gospel.

My commitment to its truth is strong, yet I fear conversations with those who don't believe. I fear conversations with family members who claim belief, but show none of the fruit of true belief.

The term Christian is already being used in many apostate churches, and congregations which have long since fallen asleep. God's pressing on my heart has been to earnestly seek to make sure my brothers and sisters claiming Christ really understand what that means, and really have given their lives to Him. But, they call me arrogant. They ask how I know that "my way" is correct, as if I was preaching some Gospel I made up! I preach Christ and Him crucified. I preach repentance and faith in Christ as the only means by which anyone can be saved from the wrath of God. I wish Christians understood that they are saved from the wrath of the very creator of whom they sing. Had He not come among us and died the sacrificial death required for our sin, we would all be without hope, destined for separation and hell. But God, in His great mercy, put on flesh and willingly laid aside some of His power to live a sinless life, that he might be presented on the cross before Holy God as a sacrifice that could cleanse our sins once and for all. God's wrath was upon Him at the cross, yet He saw it through to completion, that we might become His adopted sons and daughters. That we might have His righteousness credited to us, so that our lives made up wholly of sin, storing up wrath against ourselves for judgment day, could be created anew, born again, and be covered by the righteousness of Christ, second person of our triune God, the agent of creation who now holds it together by His power and majesty, the King above all Kings.

I do not want to lose focus. May the enemy not steal away my passion in this hour, or those to come. May I be a vessel to bring the Gospel to those who have not heard it, and even to those who claim to know it and do not. So, that on the day of judgment, I might stand before Him and hear, "well done good and faithful servant..."

May I be bold, without fear or wavering spirit. May I not be caught up in the distractions of this world. May the Holy Spirit call His elect by words given through me,that those who were called might be chosen and that the conviction of the Spirit might renew their hearts for Christ.

May those whom I love as family and friends have willing ears, and may their hearts be opened to the truth, as the blind man regains his sight, so may they see God's truth anew.

Would that those closest to me not deter me from whatever God will place before me to accomplish. Would that they support me and offer what comfort the Spirit doesn't already provide.

For I am convinced, though day jobs may be needed to eat and get by, that no man or woman can have any greater calling than to live for the Lord and seek His will and the service which He has prepared for them from the foundation of the world. 

As the enemy's hold gets stronger on this earth, as governments topple and churches go apostate, may Christ's true body rise up to proclaim the good news to the ends of the earth, until the number of chosen has been fulfilled.

May we wish for His kingdom to come, even in our own lifetime. What a joyous day to be carried off in the Lord. Yet, even as those who hoped for that day before us did not live to see it, may we not give up on our earthly work in the meantime.

May I heed the Spirit's direction, and speak boldly the good news of Christ's resurrection. May it all be so. No more distraction, no loss of focus, and no fear of those who have no power over my body or soul, in Jesus name, join with me please. Amen. 

Christians and Salvation

A quick word on salvation.

My Christian brothers and sisters are aware that we are saved by grace alone, not of works correct (Ephesians 2:8-10)? I would hope so. The Bible tells us that if we want to be saved by works of the law, of our own effort, then we will be judged by that same standard (Romans 3:28; Galations 3:10). If we wish to be saved by the law, we must keep every point of the law, for if we stumble on even one point, we have not kept the whole law, and cannot be in fellowship with God (James 2:10).

The whole purpose of the law up until Christ was to prove that no one could ever achieve God's standard by the law. And, even those under the law, were saved by their faith in God's promise of the coming savior (Romans 4:3-8, Hebrews 11:1-40). Therefore, if that is the measure by which one chooses to be judged (as many world religions do), we will never attain fellowship with God, and will be condemned by our own works, which the Bible says are as "filthy rags" to God (Romans 2:12-16; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 5:2-6).

We must both repent of our sin, and put our faith in Christ as our atoning sacrifice, and propitiation of our sins (1 John 2:2-6). In common terms, Christ paid the penalty on the cross so that by His blood we might be saved, through faith, by God's mercy, but not of works, lest any should boast. Yet, by His blood we are saved, and as a product of that saving grace, we are compelled to be obedient to God, and follow His commands. Not, to earn our salvation, but as a product of His adoption of us as sons and daughters, wishing to please our Father.

But, trusting on His sacrifice, and still trying to somehow earn God's favor, negates the purpose of His sacrifice. We can't have 90% faith, and still try to squeeze in 10% works of our own doing. It must be 100% trust on Christ's atonement, or we are setting ourselves up to be judged according to the law, of which, as mentioned above, no one can successfully meet the standard.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not lower Christ's sacrifice by thinking anything we could ever do on would amount to anything in God's sight. We are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone. Yet, James tells us faith without works is dead (James 2:14-18). Do our actions seek to honor God and follow His command? If not, then we do not actually have Christ, for by faith in Christ, the product of that faith is manifested in good works, and a kingdom focused mindset.

This is basic Christianity, but I get the impression that many of those who would call themselves Christians, do not fully believe this. It is a doctrinal essential, so to ignore this truth, one might as well call themselves something other than Christian (in the sense that we are saved by Christ).

We must test our selves to see that our salvation is true, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (2 Cor 13:5-7). This makes it apparent that it is not as simple as just signing a card, praying a prayer or walking an aisle.

In our hearts we must turn from our sin, and let the Holy Spirit renew us, justified by our faith in Christ alone. Thus we are then a new creation, the old passed away, and the new desires only to please God, and seek out His will for our lives. For what better purpose on this earth could there be than to do the will of God, and be in His service for the kingdom? Though our rewards are often found on the other side of the curtain, we can have great assurance of our place with God by seeking His will and bearing fruit (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Bearing fruit of good works is the product of a renewed life in Christ, not the method by which any can earn salvation. 

We do not want to be false Christians, thinking we are saved, when in fact we are not. (Matthew 7:21-23 contains one of those most frightening passages for Christians, and we must read it as a cautionary tale that there are clearly some who think they are of the faith, and actually are not.) Test yourselves brothers and sisters, and work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). Understand why you believe what you believe, and be ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect to any who would ask of the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

Let that be an assured hope, and let our lives bear fruit as much as 100 fold (Luke 8:8), for we seek to run the race to the finish, and receive the prize on the other side (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul speaks to this as the goal of the Christian life. We must endure to the end to show our faith was true.

Test yourselves brothers and sisters. Are you a butt in the seat on Sundays and nothing more? Or, do you honestly seek to honor Christ, and seek His will in your daily life? If not, you may still be in the faith, but not maturing as one should. We must desire to mature in the faith, seeking "meat", not milk (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:2). As we grow, God often test us to see that our dedication is true. Though nothing we can actually do would earn salvation, we know that as we grow in our renewal through Christ Jesus that God will develop us and causes us to grow, thus bearing more fruit for the kingdom.

May we continue assured in our salvation, bearing fruit unto righteousness, and let our actions for Christ as loud as our words.