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NASB | John 1:7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:7 This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him. |
Subject: Reasons for Rejecting our Witness |
Bible Note: Steve: I agree completely about meeting them where they are (with Bible in hand, of course!). The point I was making is that at the core of a person's rejecting Christianity is his/her unrepentant heart. This fact becomes especially interesting when talking to cultists. In one sense, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are being duped and deceived by the religious organizations to which they belong. Along with that, however, is a willful rejection of the truth that is revealed in Scripture regarding our complete and utter helplessness and need for a Savior. Until God supernaturally changes the heart, the person will embrace just about anything that does not involve surrender to Christ. You are also correct in having to clarifying the Christian faith, thanks to the stupidity of many things out there bearing the Christian label. However, it was Jesus himself who issued the call to take up one's cross, so I think that such an approach is PERFECTLY legitimate for a non-believer. People rejected Christ when he made such calls, and He knew that they would do so. That says nothing about the evangelist, only something about the hearer. In short, there is way too much "luring" people to the foot of the cross. People should count the cost (Luke 14:28) and know exactly what the Christian life entails. Anything else leads to either spurious conversions or churches that are afraid to proclaim the truth which may drive the unbeliever away. Yes, we as believers can do a great job of making Christianity look unattractive by our non-obedience to Christ (1 Peter is an excellent book to study to avoid this). However, we must not forget that the Cross in itself is a stumbling block and an offense to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:23, Galatians 5:11, 1 Peter 2:8). Praise God that He is sovereign enough to overcome our sinfulness and shortcomings to bring others to Himself! --Joe! |