Over the years, there has been many debates on the role that Christians should play in the society in which they live. Should we be bold concerning our faith or perhaps a passive nature is what is required of the meek and lowly? How should we effect those around us? It is, of course, written that we are to follow the example of Christ, but what example did he leave us? Questions such as these have plagued the mind of moral-man since we were commanded to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:14) Our question isn't necessarily should we go, but how shall we preach?
If you speak with or hear today's pastor's and evangelist, a majority says that we should conduct ourselves according to the laws of political correctness. Possibly offensive language and biblical jargon is way off the "okay" list for us modern followers of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, we should not refer to ourselves as "follower of Jesus Christ," but as "worshipers of God." After all, we wouldn't want someone to think that we are saying that Jesus is the only God, or that they are wrong in their beliefs . . . would we? The simple fact is: We do!
We want them to realize that they are lost without Jesus Christ. Not that they are lost without just god, they have a god - false though he may be, to them he is still a god - they need the only God. The God who created the heaven and the earth, the one who's beginnings were before of old; they need the one who has no beginning and will have no end. They need Jesus Christ, the one who came to earth, lived, died, and rose again for their sin and justification. They don't need a new Jesus, they need the only one that can save their soul and body from the flames of eternal hell.
The apostle Paul knew all to well the abilities of satan to beguile the sheep of Christ. Therefore he warned against this day saying "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (II Cor. 11:3-4) Let us not heed the words of the enemy. Let us remember that Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Heb. 13:8) and that his power never fails. The angel that appeared to those that witnessed Christ ascension proclaimed clearly that "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
In our hearts desire we should seek that others might change from their wickedness and cease from their sins. This is how we should minister to the hearers of the world. Not by fearing that they understand the message, but speaking with great plainness of speech [II Cor. 3:12] that they might be without excuse [Rom. 1:20]. We must be the masters of situations not the slave of events. We must remember that Jesus never entered someone's life without changing it – some for the better and some for the worse. He came not to condemn, but to reveal that we are condemned already [John 3:18]. This is our calling, this is our duty, "have this treasure in earthen vessels . . . Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." (II Cor. 4:7, 5:11). |
