Word of the Week - Salvation (Making it Attractive)
“Or do you show contempt for riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” Roman 2:4
Making our faith attractive is key to our effectiveness in sharing the “good news” of the gospel of Jesus. My wife and I recently returned from a trip to the Greek Isles where we were “Tracing the footsteps of the apostle Paul” with John and Margaret Maxwell and a group of friends. It was an amazing and memorable trip. One of the most impactful takeaways for me was watching John Maxwell do what John does so well. He is the best I have ever seen at authentically and persistently loving all people and sharing the gospel with them. It is like second nature to him to share the good news with people. He does it in such a loving and delightful way it is hard for people not to want to know God. He lives his life and portrays our God (Jesus) in a way that is so attractive that people are drawn to know Jesus. It is probably why he and his ministry have led almost 1.5 million people to professing faith in Jesus. It shows the true heart and kindness of God in a world that is full of people both believers and non-believers that are anything but kind.
In follow up to my “Word of the Week” on Salvation last week (see below), I wanted to share a recent message from Pastor Chris (PC), who was on the same trip to the Greek Isles. PC is one of the greatest evangelist I have ever known and has led hundreds of thousands of people to Christ; me being one of them. He shared a fantastic message on June 21st that outlines key factors for sharing our faith with others and representing God in a way that is kind, loving and thus attractive to those who are lost and in need of a Savior. This message convicted and challenged me in a big way. You can watch the message by clicking this link https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/07-21-2024 .
I have outlined the key components and takeaways from PC’s message below:
Why we Share our Faith:
Because God has called us to be His Ambassadors – As believers we are the hands and feet of God on this earth, and He has commissioned us as His representatives to share the “Good News” of the gospel of Jesus. In response to what God has done for us, we desire to share it with others. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting our sins against us. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf; Be reconciled to God (salvation).” 2 Corinthians 5: 17-20
Because People need the Lord – Heaven and hell are real, and eternity is forever. God desires for all to have salvation. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9 We have the opportunity to influence the eternal destiny of those around us. We also have the opportunity to help others live a purpose filled abundant life in Christ during their time on earth. “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. John 10:10
Because People want the Lord – Even though we all have a sin nature and enmity toward God, every human being is made in God’s image and longs for a connection with the Creator of heaven and earth. “Yet the God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end” Ecclesiastes 3:11 As long as sin is separating a person from God they will have a hole inside and are in need of God to fill the void. We can give them the answer to this longing and the hope of Christ.
Finally, we share our faith in loving response for what God has done for us. - We were all once lost, and someone shared their faith with us. We can never stop sharing the hope of Christ because God never stopped searching for us! “But God demonstrates His own lover for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 5:8
How we share our faith and hope- Make it Practical:
Live an attractive life – we are called to be salt and light to those around us. Our lives should be so attractive that people who know us but don’t know God will want to know God because they know us. The goal is not perfection but an authentic abiding relationship with Jesus that produces fruit in our lives that is so attractive that they start asking about it. Then we get to share our faith and point them to Jesus! “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 13-16
Value all People – Like the story of the Good Samaritan, every person we encounter can be seen as a victim to exploit, a problem to avoid, or a person to be loved. Sharing our faith and hope with others does not mean we have to compromise and become like them or agree with their values, politics or lifestyle choices, we are simply called to share the love and hope of our faith in Christ. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander”. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Enter their world and relate with them – Both the apostle Paul and Jesus created space for conversations in their interactions and built disarming bridges by asking questions. When we share our faith, we need to try to understand where people are coming from and relate with their perspective, especially when it is meaningfully different for ours. It is through relating that we begin to break through to connection. Sometimes this can take months or even years. “The lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”. 2 Peter 3:9
Choose the right approach – The bible is clear. We need to approach lost people with love, the Good News, and positivity – not negativity. We need to be patient, not pressing, and show unconditional love. When we share the truth in love and work to connect before we correct. We are chosen people a royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, we can show other the goodness of God, for He called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. “But you are a chosen people, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Lord Jesus thank you for the gift of Salvation and for anointing us as your ambassadors. Lord give us passion for the lost. I pray we will do everything short of sin to reach the lost because everyone needs Jesus!
Duane