Author: admin

During the past few weeks, we have been going door to door to proclaim the gospel to a community made up of Muslims who tend to follow Islam more seriously that the average Muslim living in this general area. While we were going door to door yesterday, a good friend brought up the following passage:

 “As for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them” (Luke 9:5).

Then my friend asked me, “Based upon Jesus’ teaching in this passage, do you think there is coming a day when we should shake the dust off our feet and leave this area?” I wonder if this question has been considered by other Christians who read the reports of our evangelism efforts. Before answering, I told him that this is a valid question. I told him that I would answer him based upon my understanding of what Jesus was teaching. I also told him that I could be wrong in my interpretation but as of now, I am operating on the basis of my interpretation. Before giving a detailed answer to his question, I wish first to give some general thoughts that relate to this topic.

On several occasions, Christians have asked me whether this ministry was bearing fruit. I suppose that many Christians look at the size of a church and determine by the sheer numbers whether that ministry is bearing fruit. Are there many Christians attending? Is it a growing church? If the fruitfulness of this ministry is based solely on answers to these questions, then the answer would probably be “No” for those who judge ministries or churches this way.

Some judge evangelism ministries by the number of people who “pray the sinner’s prayer.” I don’t tell people to pray a “sinner’s prayer” so I can’t and won’t measure the fruitfulness of this ministry that way. Rather, like the Apostle John, I take joy when I observe people “walking in truth.”

For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 3 & 4).

So, if as a result of the gospel being proclaimed, people believe and follow Jesus (walk in the truth), I consider that ministry of evangelism fruitful, even if it is only one person. If every Christian in the world proclaimed the gospel and as a result, each one had one true convert that walks in the truth, the world would be completely turned upside down for Christ.

Having said this, I must confess that I have often thought how pitiful this ministry must seem to many Christians. Ten or less people attend most of our home church meetings. While preparing for these meetings, there have been occasions when a few words from the Beatles song, Eleanor Rigby floated through my mind about a fictitious character “Father McKenzie” as he prepares a sermon. The lyric reads, “writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear.” This song makes Father McKenzie out to be a lonely, pitiful preacher doing a work that is good for nothing. Perhaps some people think of me in the same way that Father McKenzie is portrayed in this song, Eleanor Rigby.

Many questions might be asked. Am I doing something wrong? Are my evangelism methods biblical? Is there some sin or stronghold in my life that restricts the flowing of God’s grace? Should our house have a steeple on it?  Should we have a church building? Do we need a sign and advertising? Should we have a teen department? (Beginning with the steeple question, I am just being facetious but I think it is good that I still have a sense of humor.)

Now let me attempt to answer the question about the Luke 9:5 passage. There are some passages in the Bible that are more difficult to interpret in a fully conclusive fashion. But for passages like this one, there is usually a main point that is clear. Perhaps Mathews rendition of it gets to that point:

“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14).

While Jesus does say to shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against a city that does not receive the gospel, He starts out by saying “Whoever does not receive you.” So, the shaking of dust does not have to pertain to an entire city. We are to do it as a testimony to any individual who does receive us. Perhaps Jesus conveys the essence of this truth when He says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). To me, the essential truth that Jesus is conveying is that when people mock the gospel rather than listen with open hearts, we should cease from talking with them. It is because of this principle that I do not debate with people about the gospel because to do so profanes it and empties it of its power in the eyes of those who look on.

But is there a time when we should shake the dust off our feet in regard to an entire city in accordance with Luke 9:5? If there has ever been a community where I thought Luke 9:5 might apply city wide, it would be South Dearborn, the one to which we are currently proclaiming the gospel. If it were not for the fact that the roads and sidewalks are all paved, we would have plenty of occasion to be shaking the dust off our feet. But is that what Jesus wants us to do in regard to South Dearborn? I am not so sure.

Back in Jesus’ day, He sent His disciples out two by two. The fields of harvest were ripe unto harvest. Perhaps the instruction to shake off the dust in regard to entire cities was expeditious for that time. The field to be harvested was the entire world. If a small village did not receive the disciples, then why not move on to the next village. There were endless numbers of villages to visit. The only thing I don’t like about this explanation is that it sounds very pragmatic. But then again, why did many of the disciples remain in Jerusalem after the Jewish leaders began to persecute them? Why didn’t they simply shake the dust off their feet and move to a different city?

At least right now, I am inclined to take away from Luke 9:5 the principle that we should avoid discussing the gospel and arguing with people who mock it. There will always be people who do this in every city across the globe. It seems to me that Paul generally followed this principle. Whenever he came to a city for the first time, he went first to the synagogue to proclaim the gospel. Whenever the Jews rejected it, he rebuked their unbelief and turned to the gentiles. But I am not aware of any entire city against which he shook the dust off his feet. At Lystra, Jews stirred up the entire town against Paul. Rather than shake the dust off his feet, he went right back into the city after the crowds had stoned him and dragged him out of the city.

“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city” (Acts 14:19-20).

I know I would be tempted to shake the dust off my feet and leave but Paul went right back in there. He also visited it on subsequent travels to that general area.

Based upon this testimony, I am not inclined to quickly shake the dust off my feet in regard to an entire community. When I reflect on other missionary works, I remember that others seem to think this way. For example, Adoniram Judson proclaimed the gospel for several years with only a couple of converts to show for his efforts. Then, he was thrown into a torturous prison for a long time. After being released, his wife and daughter died and he despaired of life for quite a while. After God revived him, he returned to the city that he had proclaimed the gospel for years. This time, thousands of people came looking for him just so they could get their hands on one of his tracts! God was obviously at work there making the gospel come to life in the lives of thousands of people who showed no regard for it years before then.

I also think of John Paton, missionary to the Hebrides Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Cannibals inhabited these islands. They killed John’s missionary acquaintances and tried to kill him on numerous occasions. If anyone had reason to shake the dust off his feet, he did. These people did the opposite of “receiving John” and his message. But John persisted in trying to reach them with the gospel. Eventually, God caused the life of Jesus to spring up in these people.

In more recent times, a few missionaries were killed by cannibals in Central America. Instead of shaking the dust off their feet and retreating back to the U.S., Elizabeth Elliot, wife of one of the missionaries that was killed and Nate Saint’s sister continued ministering to the tribe that did the killing. Eventually, most of the tribe, including ones that did the killing came to Christ.

Bottom line, I think we should not assume that Luke 9:5 and other like verses teach us to forsake the post to which God has directed us to minister. While we should not cast our pearls before swine, we should continue sowing the gospel seed believing that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. Believing this enables us to continue sowing even if and when little of no fruit is apparent. Conversely, if we cease to proclaim it, we show that we must not really believe that the gospel truly is the power of God for salvation to all who believe.

 

 

Recently, a Christian asked me if I had ever heard of Molinism. I said, “No.” He knew that I believe in the doctrines of sovereign grace in the salvation of souls. He has mentioned in the past that he is unsure of what side to take in this matter. But the other day, he said that he has been studying Molinsm which claims to be the middle ground between Calvinism and Arminianism. He tried to articulate one of the beliefs but I told him that it is no different than Arminianism. Subsequent to our discussion, I reflected on his decision to “study Molinism.” I reflected back on how I came to my current understanding on these matters and recalled that I never made a conscious decision to “study Calvinism.” When God saved me, I began attending a church that was anything but Calvinistic. I remember studying the Bible and reading it with a strong desire and intention to learn it. I remember being a bit confused by passages like Romans 9 and Ephesians 1 because they seemed to say things that did not fit my view of God. I began to ask my fellow church goers what they thought of these passages. When I stated what the passages seem to say, some of the Christians became annoyed and offered their explanations. But it was as if none of us could adequately explain them. They seemed content to leave the subject alone but I couldn’t. Occasionally, I would bring up the discussion and found that my fellow church goers were growing increasingly impatient with me. Nevertheless, I never opened theological books as the means to finding the correct interpretation of these matters. Rather, I asked God to shape my thinking so that it is in harmony with His thinking. The more time went on, the more seriously I prayed for God to reveal His truth to me. I realize that some Christians will insist that I eventually came to an incorrect view. But I have come to a firm, heart-felt conviction that God is sovereign in all things, including the salvation of sinners.

After reflecting more on my friend’s intention to “study Molinism,” something did not sit right within me. I wondered why anyone would opt for studying what people have said about such things rather than simply asking God to show them directly as they carefully search the Scriptures for themselves. The Bible teaches that God desires to show us truth if we diligently seek it. Jesus said, “Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). David prayed, “Openmy eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18).

I know Christians who actually think that it is best to consult “sound theologians” as the primary means of discerning correct theological positions. One such friend expressed concern over my insistence that we go to God directly and wait upon Him to guide us into correct understanding of the Bible. He said that this posture made me vulnerable to interpretations that could lead me into a cult or some such thing. I labored hard to help him understand that he can and should go to God directly for help in understanding the Bible. He seemed to acknowledge the promises from God about it but at the same time, he could not let go of his position that we must depend on what he called “sound biblical theologians” so that we do not fall into error.

I am of the persuasion that if I avail myself of God’s promise to guide me into truth, diligently seek it through prayer and Bible study, God will eventually direct me into correct thinking. I don’t need to consult “sound theologians” for this to happen. And when God gives me his understanding, then my thinking will indeed be the thinking of God. Insomuch that any “sound theologian” has similar thoughts, it will only prove that God is indeed, able to guide His people into truth.

As a result of a lifelong study of His Word, I find my thoughts increasingly in harmony with the thoughts of the Apostle Paul and Jesus. I sense a genuine kindred spirit with them. I believe that the Word of God has been increasingly “engrafted” into my very soul as James describes. (See James 1:21.)  This is that supernatural process that cannot be accomplished indirectly through “sound theologians.” Only God can do it and He uses His Word and trials to mysteriously bring it about directly. Those who depend on “sound theologians” for their learning circumvent God’s prescription and end up with second hand knowledge that will fail them in time of severe testing. This shortcut undermines the process of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The result is head knowledge rather than a firm foundation of our faith.

I honestly think that people who depend on commentaries and theological books as their first and most trusted source for biblical truth would be better off if all of those books were removed from the face of the earth.[1] Then, they would be forced to study their Bibles and pray more diligently in search for the truth. They would not be able to fall back on what other men have said and merely latch onto the word of man.

In closing, if you are one who depends on “respected” theologians in order to gain an understanding of the Bible, could it be that you are simply failing to depend on God’s promise to guide you into truth? Do you believe that God will personally direct you if you sincerely ask Him to do so? If so, my advice is that you put away your books and spend more time studying, reading and meditation on God’s Word and wait upon God to show you. Be patient in your waiting. You don’t have to get all the answers at once. Your patient waiting will honor God by showing Him that you really believe Him and that He is fully able to guide you into all truth.

Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.  (Psalm 111:2)

1.     God continues to mobilize and move His people to engage in the advancement of His Kingdom.

If you read the weekly evangelism reports, you might wonder what keeps us going door to door week after week to proclaim the gospel while on the surface, there seems to be so few Muslims coming to Jesus for salvation. What could possibly motivate us to endure in this work? Let me set the record straight by stating that it is only because God moves us to continue. If it were not for Him, we would be doing other things. This is very obvious to us and we want you all to know this so that you will continue praying that God moves His people to proclaim the gospel with us as He has faithfully done in the past. That being said, we also can testify that our food is to do the will of the Father. Each time God grants us the opportunity to proclaim the gospel, it is as if our soul is being fed with manna from heaven. We all desire more manna. God gives us this desire.

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

 

2.  God continues to open doors for the proclamation of the gospel to many who never heard it before.

During the past six years, we knocked on the door of virtually every house in East Dearborn to proclaim the gospel to all who would listen. Just over two years ago, we began again where we first started with plans to cover the entire area again. We have found that most of the people we are meeting the second time around are people we never met before. Well over 1000 Muslims have heard the gospel from us face to face and comprehended it in various degrees. We try to keep in contact with over many of them, some expressing more interest than others of course. We consider this entire community the “parish” assigned to us by God regardless of whether they are believing yet or not.

It becomes increasingly clear that it is God who opens the doors for the proclamation of the gospel. Every time someone hears and understands the gospel, we know that God arranged it, not us. Unless God does this, nobody will answer doors. Unless God does it, those who do answer their doors will simply tell us to go away. Each time we go out, we realize that nothing good will result unless God makes it happen. But it is clear to us that God is opening the doors for the proclamation of the gospel and so we give Him thanks.

In addition to the face to face evangelism, we personally hand out hundreds of gospels, tracts and some Bibles here in Dearborn each year. We also provide audio gospel presentations on CD.

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

3.  God has added to the number of those who go door to door and those who meet as Dearborn Bible Fellowship (www.DearbornBible.ORG)

Those of us who go door to door are richly blessed every time God brings another Christian out to go door to door with us. People from every continent except Antarctica have gone with us at one time or another. These are Christians with a variety of church backgrounds but all with a common desire to see Christ glorified in the proclamation of the gospel. Each of us greatly values being joined to other laborers and we do not take this privilege lightly.

Similarly, we thank God for adding to the assembly that meets here Sunday and Wednesday nights. Those who come are a testament to God’s work of calling out a people for His own possession. We are especially blessed to have people representing a variety of cultural and spiritual backgrounds.

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

 

4.  We continue to see fruit of the gospel in the form of changed lives to God’s glory

Jesus told us to go and make disciples and teach them to observe all that He commanded. That is our mission we are working to fulfill it. God uses this ministry to produce disciples, some through the Stones Cry Out web site, and some locally.  The consistent gathering of believers in the home church meetings presents the most observable manifestation of salvation.  

Note: We do not consider a person a Christian just because he prays a “sinner’s prayer” or walks an aisle so we do not count converts in the manner that many people do these days. (We do not tell people to pray sinner’s prayers nor do we practice the “alter call” technique because we believe that these practices are not warranted by the Bible.) We believe that if a person is truly regenerate, his life will reflect it through holy living. We believe the best way to know if a new disciple has been made is if there appears to be fruit of God’s Spirit at work in them resulting in a changed life.

We have observed God shaping the minds and hearts of those who consistently attend the meetings. We are observing the building up of the Body by itself as each member is critical to the well being of the others. This gives us reason to believe that the saints are being equipped to do the work of the ministry. We expect God to prepare the members to increasingly minister in the future expansion of God’s Kingdom. As members become equipped to do the work of the ministry, it is envisioned that other churches will be planted under their leadership as those who are “sent out” by Dearborn Bible Fellowship for that purpose.  Rather than continue growing and acquiring a building to hold larger meetings, we believe it biblical to continually expand the body of Christ by forming new local churches that meet in houses, less encumbered by unnecessary expenses associated with owning and maintaining a building.

I believe that in the future, Christians that were former Muslims, will also be equipped through Dearborn Bible Fellowship to do the work of the Ministry and then be sent (as the Spirit directs) to their own countries in the Middle East to plant churches there.  I have recorded my understanding of the biblical church model in my book, The Local Church).

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

 

5.  God continues to sharpen the gospel message in the mouths of His people

We have the privilege of influencing Christians that God brings to us for short term missions exposure. Most of them come here during the summer. I conduct evangelism seminars while they are here and then we take them door to door with us. In addition, God causes us to come in contact with a few men that are local and want to learn more about evangelism and/or simply engage in it more consistently.

In addition to the local ministry, God has seen fit to expand influence of Stones Cry Out Ministries globally. Each year, hundreds of visitors visit the Stones Cry Out web site in order to obtain free evangelism tools like tracts and the gospel study guide. These materials are now being used all over the world. In fact, it appears that Stones Cry Out influence is greater in places like Africa and Asia than it is here in the U.S.A. Christian pastors and evangelists from those countries learn how to evangelize biblically by watching the 48 minute evangelism training seminar and sometimes, I send them my books (at no charge). Most of them tell me that these materials have helped them greatly to minister to the people in their countries.

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

 

6.  God continues to provide the physical needs.

Earlier this year, both of our vehicles broke beyond reasonable repair at the same time. Soon after, God provided (through people), financial gifts that allowed me to purchase a replacement work truck. Then, a good brother called not too long after that and told us he wanted to give us his Astro van. It was given to us in excellent condition. It was almost like we were given a brand new vehicle.

Over the past five years, God has used financial pressure to test our faith. Through it all, I learned that my faith is feeble at best,  that God is faithful and always has been our faithful Provider.

He also has continued to provide repair/remodel jobs as the chief means for provision.

He also has moved Christians to donate money, New Testaments, gospels and Bibles that we provide to the people we meet.

From reading this, do you see that God has been answering the prayers of His people?

 

7.  Looking forward in faith to the harvest

 Based upon God’s word, we are expecting the harvest to increase.

 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Since God is causing the gospel to go forth, we have assurance that His word is accomplishing exactly what He sent it to do.  We have every reason to pray fervently and expect a great harvest, including many of those who are currently blinded by Islam. I believe it is just a matter of time before dozens and then hundreds of Muslims come to faith in Jesus.

This raises the question, “Will we be ready for the harvest?” When suddenly, many Muslims forsake Islam and begin following Christ, will we be ready to properly disciple them so that they learn Christ rightly? Perhaps the reason why the harvest has been so light so far is because God still is not finished preparing His people to care for all the new believers?

 

8.  Prayer requests

Since Jesus promised to hear our prayers, and since we have confirmation from this report that He has been hearing and answering our prayers, let us pray all the more expecting to see His glory revealed.

-Protection and Endurance for those in the field (including Rubin on a continent far away)

Unless God keeps us under the shadow of His wings, we will wander off and fall headlong on our face. Unless He keeps us encouraged, we will soon be despairing of life. Unless He continues to send trials, we will become more filled with wretched prideful independence that we already possess. Only God can keep us and cause us to endure so please pray to that end.

 –The building up of the church

We thank God for our little assembly of believers that meet Sunday and Wednesday evenings (and the Bible study that meets at Patience’s house on Mondays).  Pray that God causes the members to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and become equipped to do the work of the ministry. Pray that God adds to our number new disciples who can become equipped for the work of the ministry. Pray that God gives us grace and wisdom to humbly serve each other so that red hot believers will result. Pray that God equips one or two of the men to eventually start and temporarily lead another local church and take on more leadership in the meantime.

–That God will make our prayers more fervent

As God turns up the heat in our prayers, His power will be unleashed and the harvest will be made manifest to His glory. Pray therefore, that God sends revival to all of us who pray.

-That God will continue to supply all our needs

As you may know, we are not with a mission agency and due to our convictions, we do not feel right asking people for financial support. But we can and do ask God to supply our needs. If you are so inclined, please pray that God will supply all our needs.

-Concerning direction

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit directs ministry. This direction always involves His Church. We were initially sent under the direction of Grace Evangelical Fellowship to proclaim the gospel in East Dearborn and establish churches where new believers can flourish. We have continued to operate in accordance with the direction we received back then. For the past two years or so, we have been interacting with the members of Dearborn Bible Fellowship, the church that has been established. For now, we plan to continue operating under the direction initially provided but we want to be under the direction of the Holy Spirit through His church. Perhaps it is time to begin taking our direction from this new local church. We want God to make His will known about all this. We are open to counsel from other Christians about this. Please pray that God shows us His will about it.

-Wisdom

-In the oversight of God’s people and how we should serve them best.

-In managing my time. My customer base (remodel/repair) continues to expand. Lately, I have been very busy. I feel pulled in many directions. I don’t want to assume that I should simply extend my work hours. Maybe God wants to provide for us this way. But maybe He wants me to learn how to say no to some customers. Maybe He wants me to raise my rates so fewer customers call me. I just need to know what He wants.

-The spiritual well being of those members who seem to be drifting and wisdom to know how best to serve them.

-Salvation for those who have heard

It is our privilege as priests to intercede for the lost. Ask, and it will be given to you. Pray for those unbelievers that God impresses upon your heart. The following are a few of the contacts that during the past year, heard and understood intellectually the gospel. Pray that God gives us greater opportunity to water the seed and that he brings forth a great harvest.

 

Hyder, Muslim father.

Ali, Muslim teenager

Aleex, Muslim father

Fateema, Muslim mother

Sadik, Muslim young man

Ali, Muslim father in his 50’s

Wanda, Muslim mother

Issa, Muslim young doctor

Nourham, Muslim teenage girl

Rashad, Arabic former Muslim now atheist

Jim, Muslim in his 50’s

Muhammad, Young Muslim man (Godda’s son)

Muhammad, Muslim university student who came to one of our meetings

Balaal, “Muslim evangelist” as he calls himself

Ali, Muslim teenager

Mawther, Young Muslim woman, now reading my book

Abraham, Isaiah and Kadisha, Patient’s children (of Muslim father)

Melissa, Non Muslim mother who is now claiming to follow Christ (but not in church)

 

Tasha, Self proclaimed atheist who was moved emotionally when she heard the gospel

 

 

 

Appendix:    Stones Cry Out Ministries Particulars

 

Those who pray

The gospel has been proclaimed to thousands of people, mainly Muslims. Those of you who pray for us play a role in this because without God’s protection and enabling, our hearts would grow cold and our mouths would cease to proclaim the gospel. With so much gospel seed planted, we are reminded that unless God makes it come to life, those who have heard it will remain blind and perishing.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1).

Those who engage in evangelism

One of our past regulars, Rubin, left us several months ago and is now living on the mission field with his expectant wife. They are proclaiming the gospel to Muslims on a different continent now. While God took him from us this way, God also added brothers to our group. Pat goes virtually every week. But people like Benjamin (a teenager), Ivan, Eddie and Jason go often. Carmen is another who goes from time to time. Then there are the many that come out maybe once or twice per year.

Those who serve in other ways

Linda: Though my wife Linda usually does not go door to door with us, she goes with me every week to the Bible study with Patience (a woman from Liberia) who we met going door to door in Detroit. She endures much with me in the Stones Cry Out ministry. In addition, she faithfully prepares refreshments for the home church meetings on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

Those who financially support this ministry:

Most of the financial support we receive for the ministry comes in the form of spontaneous gifts as God moves people. But there are a few people who faithfully give each month. We give thanks to God for moving his people to support this ministry financially.

 

Note: If you are interested to know my perspective on evangelism, church or Christian living matters, either contact me or you can read my books available on Amazon as Kindle books or at BringMySheepback.com in paperback format.

Preface statement:  Please note that in this article, I never make a claim that “Jesus could have sinned.” I am merely attempting to demonstrate that it is unbiblical to claim “Jesus could not have sinned.” Such a claim relies on human reasoning.1

 

As Bible believers, we hold to the truth that Jesus is God the Son. Though the Bible does not use this term, from biblical observations, we sometimes refer to Him as the “God-man.” But just as we do not want to diminish His deity in any measure, we must also be careful to avoid diminishing His humanity. This can easily happen if all we do is lean to our own understanding. After all, since He is God in nature (Hebrews 1:1-3), logically, His divine attributes would overpower any weakness associated with the man, Christ Jesus. In nature, the more powerful overcomes the less powerful. Thus, it is easy to fall into the error of viewing Jesus’ humanity as somehow overpowered by His deity. We can easily fall into the error of thinking that Jesus, since He is the “God-man,” had some kind “inherent God-power that insured victory” in His resisting temptation and sin. The Bible does not say that Jesus had some kind of inherent God-power that insured victory, but that as a man, He always did the things that pleased His Father. This is what qualified Him to be the perfect Lamb of God without blemish. Only Jesus, the Last Adam, could qualify as the perfect sacrifice that could satisfy God’s demand that justice to be carried out.

 

“If by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many” (Romans 5:15).

 

The sacrifice had to be a real flesh and blood man in order to satisfy God’s demand for justice. Whenever the Bible speaks of His sacrifice, it speaks of it as something accomplished by THE MAN, Christ Jesus.

 

Of this MAN Jesus, it says, “⁷In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. ⁸Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:7-9).

 

If Jesus’ overcoming of temptation and sin was due to some inherent God-power that insured the victory, then why did Jesus have to “learn obedience?” Wouldn’t His inherent “God-power” been active from birth? But the Bible says that Jesus “learned obedience.” This learning was something Jesus had to do as a man because God does not have to learn anything. And why did Jesus have to go through the process of being made perfect through the things He suffered? If He was resisting temptation and sin through some sort of “inherent God-power that insured victory,” why would He have to undergo the process of being made perfect though His sufferings? 

 

  For those who insist that Jesus had some inherent God-power that insured victory in His resistance of temptation and sin, then why did He spend so much time praying? He prayed for hours at a time. What was He praying about? Only others? Or was He also calling upon God for help that He needed as A MAN?  Consider the following passage that gives us a peek into a moment of intense praying by Jesus:

 

“⁴¹And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, ⁴²saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” ⁴³Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:41-43).

 

If He was relying on some sort of “inherent God-power” that insured victory, then why was Jesus in agony? Why was He crying out so desperately? Why did He even bother praying about this at all? He was evidently suffering as a MAN and crying out as A MAN to His heavenly Father to help Him. He needed help and so He prayed.

 

The Bible teaches that Jesus is our High Priest. By the very nature of the office, a high priest must be A MAN. One of the chief roles of a high priest is to represent his fellow man before God. Jesus is our High Priest who “ever lives to make intercession for us.” (See Hebrews 7:25.) Only a man can effectively do this because a man has experience living as a man. Because he is a man, he knows what it is like to go through the trials of life. He can then come before God to plead in behalf of his fellow man with passion. He is not disconnected from what his fellow man is going through. As our High Priest, Jesus experienced being tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. As a result of this experience of being tempted and having to resist, he knows exactly what we are going through when we face temptation. He can sympathize with us.

 

“¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

 

We must be careful to avoid diminishing Jesus’ humanity because without it, He would not qualify as our High Priest! In out deep trials, we might conclude that Jesus does not know intimately what we are experiencing as we fight against sin. We might feel alone in our battle. Rather, let us take comfort in the knowledge that because he has experienced the very temptations (at full force) we are going through, He intimately knows what we are going through.

 

In conclusion, let us not rely on our own understanding but rather just entrust these deep things to God who knows all things, including the incarnation. Let us guard against any reasoning that will take away from what the Bible clearly reveals about Jesus THE MAN. We must not declare that Jesus could not have sinned because the Bible does not declare it. What we do know is that He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. What we do know and can safely claim is that Jesus did not sin. Let us not go beyond what the Bible declares.

Jesus warned,  “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14&15).”  From this and other passages, we see that having eternal life depends on whether we forgive others.  Because of the terrible consequences of not forgiving others (eternal hell),  it is extremely important for us to look inward to see if we have been forgiving those who sin against us.     Many who call themselves Christian are unclear on what it means to forgive others.  In so-called “Christian” books about human relationships,  forgiveness is mentioned but not usually described biblically. Often, the authors themselves do not know what it means to forgive.  Before you assume that I am wrong about this, consider Jesus’ warning that broad is the road that leads to destruction and many are on it while few are on the narrow path leading to life.   Just as there are many people who falsely believe they are Christians, likewise many “Christian” authors may be likewise deceived or at the very least fail to portray what it means to forgive others.   While you read on, please consider the possibility that you yourself may not be in the practice of truly forgiving others.  This is so important because if you are not in the practice of truly forgiving others, the Father will not forgive you and you will not inherit eternal life. In case the understanding and experience of truly forgiving others is not firm within your grasp, read on as I attempt describe what it means to forgive others. While you do, look inward to determine if you have been forgiving others with a mind open to the possibility that you are failing to do as Jesus prescribed.   To lay a foundation for this discussion,  it may be helpful to understand what it is that must be forgiven.  When we forgive,   are to forgive sins against us.  The words “trespass” and “transgression” are used often in the Bible in place of the word sin. When someone transgresses against you, they cause an offense.   It is your responsibility to forgive the offense.  Some offenses are easier to forgive than others.  For example, when someone transgresses against you out of complete ignorance and in a way that does not cause much harm, forgiving is relatively easy.  Perhaps you own a piece of land that runs along side some state park.  While you happen to be visiting your land, you notice an older man who seems lost walking on your land.  It turns out that he missed a turn on a hiking trail and ended up on your land.  He trespassed but he did so out of ignorance and without malice.  This offense is easy to forgive but it nevertheless must be forgiven.  But what if the sin is more grievous?  One month later,  two teenagers who don’t like you purposely set fire to your land and burn up everything on it.  Not only is your land damaged, but also you know that these kids did it to spite you with malice.  Such an offense has great potential to cause anger and a desire to “get even” or pay them back for what they did.  It is much more difficult to forgive this transgression than the other.  It is important to also realize that the intensity of harm and hurt increases in proportion to the degree that your trust in them is broken.  It is one thing to forgive the two teenagers because your trust in them was not that high in the first place.  You already knew that teenagers some times act badly so your trust in them is not extremely high.  But if these teenagers happen to be your own children and by their act of burning your property you come to realize that they hate you and want you out of their life,  the degree of hurt and damage increases,  especially if you were ignorant of the hate they had toward you.  The degree of pain increases depending on the degree to which you have entrusted someone with your heart.  The word betrayal describes the type of offense that requires the greatest amount of forgiveness.  The more of your heart that is been given prior to betrayal,  the more that is on the line.  Whether your own children burn your property or whether the one you have completely given your heart to leaves you for another lover, betrayal is the appropriate word to describe the offense because the one to whom you entrusted your heart has inflicted tremendous pain.  If a person does not experience extreme trauma from such offenses, it only proves that they had not fully given their heart (trust) to them in the first place.  The degree of pain is always in direct proportion to the degree your heart was given to them prior to the offense.  But all transgressions,  from the accidental trespassing on property to the most grievous of betrayal must be forgiven or we may end up in hell’s torment having proven ourselves unregenerate.   All offenses by others are designed by God and brought into our life to test our faith.  All of them require our forgiveness.  Some of them are relatively easy to forgive.  Others require nothing less than the supernatural power of God which is always present in true Christianity (and appears to others as “radical.”)  This discussion will focus on the type of forgiveness that is required for the greater,  more painful transgressions because it is this type of forgiveness that is most illusive.    How do we know if we have forgiven a grievous transgression such as betrayal?  There are some who maintain that forgiveness is something merely volitional. That is,  it is just a matter of us choosing with our will to forgive.  Others might add that to truly forgive,  we must “forgive and forget.”  In other words,  to forgive,  we must always decide to “put it behind us” as if to “forget” it.  If a person simply makes up their mind to forgive someone, does that mean that they forgave them?  If they simply tell the offender that they are forgiven, did they truly forgive them?  If enough time has passed that they generally do not think about the transgression, does that mean they truly forgave them?  Jesus said that when we forgive,  we must “forgive from the heart.” (see Matthew 18:35[i])  It is not just choosing to do so with our volition or “putting it behind us.”  There must be a change that takes place in our heart in regard to the person and the transgression that caused so much pain.  Though the phrase “forgive and forget” fails to convey what it means to forgive, it does allude to something that is characteristic of true forgiveness.  It is naïve to insist that we really forget transgressions that cause deep pain.  We don’t forget and this is not what God expects.  In fact, though it says that God forgets our transgressions,[ii]  He actually doesn’t do so at all. The expression is used to convey that it is “as if” He actually forgot completely.  It is “as if” they were blotted from His experience altogether.  But being God,  He never actually forgets anything.  It He did, He would not be omniscient.  Likewise, we never forget but if we truly forgive, it will appear to the offender “as if” we completely forgot.  The only way it will appear this way is if there truly has been a complete change in the heart of the one offended.  And the only way that the most grievous transgressions can be forgiven is when God supernaturally brings about this change deep within our heart.  There are many things that God calls Christians to do that are impossible and forgiveness of deep grievous sins is one of them.  Such things require the exercise of faith to get down on our knees and plead with God to do this work in us.  We follow Jesus’ invitation, “Ask and it shall be given unto you,  seek and you shall find.”  This is the posture of faith that believes that we are powerless but that God has the ability and desire to give us this power as a means of manifesting His glory.  It is interesting to note that just prior to Jesus’ warning about the eternal consequences of an unforgiving heart,  He says, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours (see Mark 11:24&25)[iii].”  Forgiving is often linked to prayer in the scriptures because it requires the power of God to perform it and faith to lay hold if it.  It is no wonder that Jesus said that those who forgive are the one’s who will be forgiven.  They are the ones who “live by faith.” They confess their own sins and inability to do what He asks and they believe He is able and desires to perform it. They “call upon the Lord” as a lifestyle.  These are the “justified.”   Deep transgressions that seem impossible to forgive require us to desperately seek God for the gift of repentance and the supernatural power to forgive.  In these situations, everything is on the line.  For if I cannot forgive,  I am at a spiritual impasse. There is no moving forward.  Also,  the power of God is in question.  If He cannot work this power in me,  then either I am not His child or He is not the almighty God.  This is why it is a desperate situation requiring desperate pleading and faith toward God. On the other hand, it is times like this when God is most magnified. When true forgiveness takes place, it is obvious to the one forgiving that it was God who brought it about. It is like the moving of a mountain!    Now let us consider how forgiveness relates to our experience with pain over grievous transgressions. Many people might falsely assume that when true forgiveness takes place,  all of the pain that was inflicted is removed. It is critical to see that the two are not related.  When true forgiveness takes place in our heart,  the only thing that is removed is our resentment and anger toward the offender concerning the transgression that caused the pain. But the pain itself can remain.  This is true if the pain was physical or emotional.  For example,  it the offender accidentally shot me leaving physical pain lasting several years, I can forgive shortly after being shot though the physical pain lingers on.  Or, it a parent looses a child to murder,  they can forgive the murderer but the pain that comes with the loss of their child will remain in some measure for years and perhaps a lifetime.  When true forgiveness takes place,  it is “as if” the offender did not cause the pain even though the pain remains.  Rather, the one who forgives views the pain as medicine administered by their loving heavenly Father. This medicine is considered essential to their spiritual well-being and that which enables the new creature to experience the fullness of God in much greater and needed measure. In this way,  the pain is much like a physical scar that mars one’s appearance.  When a Christian is burned and their face is disfigured, they will remain embittered toward God until they are able to view the deformation as God’s special gift to always remind them that he or she is His beloved child.  They bear God’s identifying mark on their face like a loving brand on a sheep that shows the world and the sheep that they belong to God. So it is with emotional scars.  When the believer truly forgives a grievous transgression,  the pain can linger on for years but it is a constant reminder to their soul that it was God’s love that afflicted them.  In this way, the pain becomes a friend that is continually wooing us to take our comfort in the one who afflicted us,  God.  But the one who actually transgressed has been forgiven.  There is no anger toward them over the transgression and there is no resentment either.  The one who was offended now counts the transgression as immensely valuable and necessary (see the story of Joseph[iv]).  It was perfectly designed by their wise heavenly Father.  The lingering pain serves to remind them daily that their heavenly Father deeply loves them. If it were not for the pain,  they would not have come to experience Him this deeply and would have missed out on wonderful riches that God lavished upon them through the pain.  Until a Christian forgives,  they cannot help but resent the offender and they miss out on what God wants to do by orchestrating it all.  God wants to show them His glory and prove that He is the Comforter.  But they wallow in misery while they hold fast their anger and bitterness of soul.  In this condition, they simply cannot walk in the path of righteousness or experience the joy God wants to give them.    When God pours out His power enabling us to forgive a grievous transgression, we behold His glory.  We know that it was Him doing it because we were completely powerless to forgive it. We had to turn to God,  agree with Him that we were powerless and then believe that He could and would give it.  We suffered long in prayer asking Him to give us the power because we believed that He had the power and desire to give it. And when He gave it, we experienced in great measure His love being shed abroad in our hearts.  This is why we never want to “forget.”  Through the entire process,  from the point of transgression through until the power of God was unleashed in them to forgive it,  we recognize God’s sovereign, loving hand and we are reminded of His deep love for us every time we remember it. God showed Himself to them and they NEVER want to forget it. The lingering pain becomes their friend who always urges them to slip into His presence.  It is the finger of God that caused it and His loving balm that sooths it.   One point must be also be made concerning the conditions in which we are required to forgive.  There are some who insist that we do not have to forgive the offender unless and until they first repent and ask for our forgiveness.  They site Luke 17:3&4 as a proof text.[v]  Though this verse speaks of forgiving when the offender repents,  we must not assume that people always have to repent before we must forgive.  It merely tells us to forgive when they repent but it does not excuse us from the responsibility to forgive when they don’t repent. The fact that forgiving others is supposed to be unconditional is clearly pictured by the cross where Jesus stated, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”   Due to the eternal implications,  we must look within to determine if we are in the practice of forgiving those who sin against us.  Do you have any resentment toward someone who hurt you?  Are you angry with anyone for causing you harm?  If so, you are at a spiritual impasse.  You cannot move forward on the path of righteousness until you truly forgive the offender from your heart.  God wants to show you His glory by giving you supernatural power to forgive as Christ forgave us. Begin pleading with God today to display His glory by delivering you from your bitterness and resentment into the awesome joy of His presence.  

Tom Bear (December 2004)

Appendix: God’s Providence over the Sins of Others

 

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty, though once generally understood and accepted, is now unfamiliar to many Christians. Since this doctrine is foundational to “Christian Marriage,” a brief explanation is provided below.   God never sins! God is and always has been holy. His “eyes are too pure to look upon evil” and He “cannot tolerate wrong” (Habakkuk 1:13). God never sins! Also, “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (James 1:13). While difficult for the human mind to comprehend, God is sovereign over all things including the sins of man. This means that that though He Himself does not sin, He superintends over the sins of man. This does not mean that He just allows the sin to happen and then reacts to it. No, He somehow has a part in orchestrating it all so that it occurs according to the divine plan that He devised even before He created the cosmos. This can be clearly demonstrated from the biblical testimony concerning the death of His Son. Jesus is called, “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8 KJV). It was God’s plan, even before He created Adam and Eve, that He would send His Son to die as a blood sacrifice to pay for the sins of His people. This plan included the sinful actions of people to bring it about exactly as He desired. “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:27-29). ^“This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:23). Deists believe that God created the universe and then left it up to the will of His creatures and forces of nature to determine the outcome of things. In contrast, the Bible teaches that God is providentially ruling over everything that happens in a way that is mysterious to man and impossible for him to grasp. This includes even the sinful actions of man. We see this taught throughout the Bible in narratives like the one involving Joseph (Genesis 37 culminating at 50:20), the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart to bring about the Exodus (Exodus 4:21-Chapter 14), the use of Satan to test Job (Job 1-2), and in the crucifixion of Jesus described in Acts 2:23 and 4:27-29. God’s providence is not restricted just to special events recorded in the Bible. David believed that God had formed every one of his days before he was even born. “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).  Paul believed God was superintending over the sins of His enemies in order to bring about His purposes. “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly” (Philippians 1:12-14). His understanding of God’s providence is clearly demonstrated by his declaration, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NASB). As we read on in Romans chapter eight, we see that the “all things” Paul had in mind certainly include things like trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and unjust physical attacks by our enemies (see Romans 8:35). Perhaps the thing that is most difficult to accept about this teaching is how it appears to make man into a robot. This objection was obviously raised to Paul, ^“One of you will say to me: ‘Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?’ ” (Romans 9:19). But Paul did not consider men robots without responsibility to make moral choices. He taught that man is fully accountable for his actions. God “Will give to each person according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6). Since the Bible teaches that man is fully responsible for his moral choices and yet God is somehow ruling even over the sins of man, we must simply accept both teachings by faith and believe that God is beyond our understanding. (See Deuteronomy 29:29.) For a more thorough treatment of this, I recommend “The Sovereignty of God” written by Arthur W. Pink, published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.      

       

(Written November, 2007)

 

About two years ago, God arranged for the termination of my employment in the fast-paced electronic semiconductor and components industry. During the thirty years leading up to that termination, my family has enjoyed “financial stability” and relative comfort associated with an above average income (by U.S. standards). I have been a Christian during this thirty-year period and viewed my job as God’s financial provision for us. It has been my understanding that God desires for us to put our trust in Him for all things including things relating to financial provision. During the past two years, I have learned that all of my trust in God for financial provision during the prior thirty years had been only skin deep. In fact, I have learned that my attitudes toward my job and financial provision were ungodly. I have since realized that inwardly during those thirty years, I trusted more in my own ability to make a way than I trusted in God to do it. I have always been very “resourceful” and never really knew what it was like to be wanting. Prior to my termination at my former employer, my wife and I sensed that God was about to bring about sweeping changes in our lives. He had been preparing me for increased work in evangelism and was beginning to expand the influence of my evangelism and teaching ministry. When my job was terminated, we believed it was an answer to our prayers and this understanding has not changed. We were under the impression that this life change ordered by God was all about the evangelistic ministry. While there is no doubt that God has been bringing forth fruit in our lives relating to the ministry He has provided us, it is also apparent that God has been doing something very significant within our hearts relating to simple trust in His ability to provide and learning what it means to wait upon the Lord.

 

In hindsight, God’s leading reminds me of the call of Abraham.

 

“The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you’ ” (Genesis 12:1).

 

God did not even tell Abraham the name of the land. He merely said, “Leave your country and go and to the land I will show you.” The fact that Abraham left the comfort of home and relatives and go with such limited information demonstrates that he believed God had his best interests at heart. He wanted to go wherever God would lead him because he recognized that He is great and wonderful. If Abraham was anything like me, I am confident he went with some fear and trembling not knowing where he would end up but resigned to trust in God and cast the well being and safety of his family on Him. In many ways, this was like our experience. It is like God said, “Leave the comfort of your present life and go to a land I will show you.” And then He adds, “And by the way, you are going to have to learn to stop trusting in your own ability to provide and trust in Me.”

As I have written and spoken much during the past two years, this has been a difficult learning process for me. There have been many ministry “disappointments,” trials relating to our family and much less “financial comfort.” Often I have wondered if I had perceived God’s direction correctly? Is this really what He wants? Am I simply not hearing Him correctly?

 

Recently, I read the story of Abraham again and was struck by something I had not noticed before that made this story all the more relevant to our situation. I read how God soon showed Abraham the land. But when he got there, there was a famine in the land. Can you imagine what must have been going on in the heart and mind of Abraham? God tells him to leave his country and go to a land where He will bless him mightily and bless the nations through him. When he arrives, there is a famine. What was God doing? Why would He bring him to a land when there is a famine? Didn’t God know there was a famine? Isn’t He in control of famines? The next thing Abraham does is go down to Egypt to escape the famine. How discouraging this must have been. He must have been wondering many things about himself and God at this point. Had he perceived God’s direction correctly? Was this really what He wants? Was he simply not hearing Him correctly?

 

It seems as if God has brought us into a land where famine exists. I am not referring so much to the financial aspect as I am to all the other areas of life and ministry. It is as if God is purposely withholding blessing in many areas of life and ministry in order to purify us and produce a more substantial trust in Him within our hearts. I have many moments of doubt but I here now wish to state that I am grateful to God for His great mercies and the grace He bestows upon us. True, the level of financial and emotional stress has increased but I see that He has been causing fruit to grow in my life and ministry. This fruit seems to be like the variety that grows under the soil. It is not noticeable from above the ground but it is real. He has sharpened my understanding of Him and has been producing increased zeal for His kingdom and insight into His beauty. On the surface, I can’t see much fruit in my children but I believe that God is doing something under the soil in them also that would not have taken place had we stayed in the comfort of our prior lives. Though myriads of people are not flocking to Christ through our ministry, it is clear that God is sharpening the gospel message in His people as a result of this ministry and His Excellencies are increasingly being proclaimed. Though I experience times of suffering and discomfort,  I know for certain I will look back at this time in my life as an exciting walk on the path of righteousness in which God’s grand purposes unfolding before my eyes. May He be praised and may He give grace to us to trust Him all the more.

Many people who claim to know Christ seem complacent as if they do not need to be concerned about their salvation. At one time in their past, they may have “prayed to receive Jesus” and were told that they are heaven bound. They may have even experienced a change in their thinking and values. They may be members in good standing at a Bible-believing church. They believe that once a person is saved, they are always saved. Therefore, they need not be concerned about their salvation. It is a done deal in their mind. The Bible warns about complacency and teaches that salvation is conditional. Only those who “endure to the end” will be saved. If you started out engaged in the advancement of God’s Kingdom and but have subsequently shifted into neutral, just coasting along, take heed lest you hear on that day, “Depart from Me, I never knew you!”

Now I believe that if a person has been truly born from above, possessing eternal life, they will be glorified when Jesus returns. Jesus said, ““All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:37-40).  Paul said, “these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). He also said that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. I believe that in the end, God gets all the glory because He initiates and brings to fruition every aspect of our salvation. It is all of grace and therefore, there is no place for boasting.

Though I believe these things, I also take heed to the many biblical warnings to “continue in the faith” lest I hear on that day, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” To some, this may seem to be contradictory. After all, if I am saved, I will be raised by Jesus in accordance with His firm promise. For someone who believes as I believe, there is only one conclusion that is not contradictory. No matter how strong a person starts out as a follower of Christ, he will not be saved in the end unless he continues in the faith.

 

Although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— IF indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. (Col 1:21-23)

 

Therefore, if a person starts out strong as a follower of Christ but fails to endure to the end, he really never possessed eternal life in the first place. Jesus never knew him and he never knew Jesus. Enduring is a necessary proof that a person’s faith is real. Following are other Bible verses that provide the same warning.

 

 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap IF we do not grow weary. (Gal 6:9)

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; IF we deny Him, He also will deny us (II Tim 2:12)

Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.  (Hebrews 3:5-6)

For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, (Hebrews 3:14)

But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us  (I John 2:19)

Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, IF you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (Matt 24:13)

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (Matt 10:22)

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13).

 

If anyone had reason to assume he would be raised to live with Jesus forever, it was the Apostle Paul. He was used by God mightily to spread the gospel to the world. God worked signs and miracles through Paul. But instead of resting in the assumption that he would live forever with Jesus, he took nothing for granted. He kept striving to enter through the narrow gate to avoid hearing, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” Consider his own words that demonstrate this.

 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (I Cor 9:24-27).

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude  (Phil 3:7-19)

 

If Paul had this attitude, then we should have it all the more! I believe that if a person does not share this attitude and feel the way Paul felt, he may likely not be a Christian. True believers are very concerned about whether or not they will be raised with Jesus. They shudder at the thought that they could hear the words, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” These concerns are one of the evidences of regeneration.

All this begs the question, “If only those who endure to the end will be saved, then what does it mean to endure?” If a person continues to go to church all their life, does this qualify? If they tithe, does this mean they are enduring? If they read the “Daily Bread” or a few verses of the Bible each day, does this mean they are enduring? What if they also go on a two week mission trip every year? The Bible teaches that a person can be doing all these things and still hear the words, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

Churches are filled with people who may have started out strong but seem to be the type of soil that is unfruitful. In the parable of the soils, Jesus describes them this way:

 

“The one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

 

A person can read a few Bible verses each day, go to church all their life, tithe and even go on a two-week mission trip every year and still be “unfruitful.” I suggest that if a person really “believes,” he will be extremely concerned to know if he is enduring. If a person is complacent, he should not have assurance that his faith is genuine. He should be determined to know what it truly means to “endure” and then just as determined to ascertain whether or not he is enduring.

 

So, what does it mean to endure? From the parable of the sower, we know that the cares of this world the deceitfulness of riches can choke out the Word. To endure, a person must not be attached to this world or anything it holds dear. He must value his future reward so much that he looks forward to it more than anything else. Instead of fearing death and doing everything to avoid it, he should consider it gain to die because when he dies, he will be with Jesus. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

 

What evidence in our lives might indicate that we are detached from this world and thus enduring? The Bible teaches that persecution and the world’s hatred of us is one of the evidences that we are truly enduring. Jesus told His disciples that the world would hate them and persecute them. And IF they continue in their faith while suffering the hatred and persecution of the world, they will be saved.

 

“There will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. “But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. “Yet not a hair of your head will perish. “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:11-19).

 

In the context of these instructions, Jesus warned them what they must continue to do in order to endure to the end. He said, “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34 -36).

 

He is not telling them what to do in order to avoid physical death. He is telling them what to do in order to escape the coming judgment. Let me paraphrase: “Be on guard that you do not end up like the third soil, weighed down with the cares of this life so that the word is choked out. Be on the alert at all times, praying that you escape the coming judgment so that ultimately, you may stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Are you experiencing the hatred of the world? Be warned, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Are you praying at all times that God gives you the grace to stand firm in the faith when the world comes to take your life from you?  If the thought of persecution and threats of death from the world seems foreign to you, maybe you are not even engaged in the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. Maybe you “keep your faith to yourself.” If this is the case, you probably do not experience much hatred of the world and therefore see no reason to pray that God prepares you for the evil day that is coming. Churches are filled with people who have heard Jesus’ words, know them, and yet do not do them. The number one assignment Jesus gave to us is to GO and make disciples, baptize them and teach them to observe all that He commanded. (See Matthew 28:19-20.) Have you excused yourself from this assignment? Take heed to Jesus’ warning:

 

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”  (Matthew 7:25-27).

 

Are you one of the millions of complacent people who just assume that your ultimate salvation is a done deal? If so, you need to wake up and realize that you are in a battle for your soul and right now, you are losing.

The Bible clearly teaches that God is angry with the wicked. It says His wrath abides all those who do not believe in Jesus. (See John 3:36.) But what about those who are in Christ? When a Christian sins, does God get angry at him? John McCarthur, a well known theologian, seems to think so. Here are some statements he made concerning this taken from an article on the Grace To You web site:

Some object to the idea that God could ever be displeased with His own children. They ask: Can our once-and-for-all forgiven sins ever provoke divine displeasure? The answer is a resounding “Yes.”….

In a very practical sense, God’s indignation over your daily sins demonstrates His love for you.

That’s the thought of Hebrews 12:5-11 where some form of the word discipline is used seven times. Divine displeasure over your sin brings discipline, reproof, and scourging. ….

God’s discipline — sometimes involving punishment for disobedience — is painful.

While I have respect for John McCarthur and have quoted him in some of my writings, I believe his perspective of God on this issue seems distorted and destructive to the gospel. Christians sin every day in some way or another. If God is continually getting angry with the Christian for his daily sins, he would never be able to heed the biblical encouragement to come boldly unto the throne of grace by faith in Christ alone. (See Hebrews 4:16.) Rather, he will always be wondering if his performance has appeased God’s anger sufficiently to warrant approaching Him. He will always have reason to think that God is indignant toward him.

In the article sighted above, John McCathur suggests that there are two types of  forgiveness with God, judicial and parental. He rightly believes that because of Jesus’ work on the cross, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ (See Romans 8:1). But he insists that while those in Christ have received forgiveness judicially, that somehow, God, as a parent, still gets angry with Christians when they sin. The Bible does not teach this..  It is conjecture on John McCarthur’s part. He has come up with this theory to support his belief that God gets angry with Christians when they sin.

McCarthur seems to compartmentalize forgiving (by God) into two categories, concerning our legal standing with him and then our personal standing with Him. Forgiving cannot be dissected this way. Forgiving always involves the heart and without the heart, it does not qualify as true forgiveness. Jesus said, “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart” (Mathew 18:35). When a person offends another person, there is a break in the relationship. Until a person forgives the offender from the heart, he has anger and resentment toward him for the offense. When a person forgives “from the heart,” he retains no more anger or resentment in his heart for the one who offended him. Anything short of this does not qualify as forgiving from the heart. God would never expect us to do something that He Himself does not do. If God instructs us to forgive “from the heart,” then surely He must forgive from the heart.

 

McCarthur’s theory makes the Heavenly Father out to be someone who gets offended continually by His children. As a result of their sinning, He becomes indignant in His heart toward them. His feelings toward them are tied to their performance. Unless they continually do the things that please Him, the familial relationship with them is broken unless and until they ask Him for forgiveness. Until then, He remains indignant toward them.

McCarthur’s image of God is inconsistent with the way Jesus loved His disciples. John said that Jesus “explained God” (See John 1:18). We can look at Jesus and determine what the Father is like. Jesus’ disciples said and did many things that were very hurtful to Jesus. For example, on the night he was betrayed, Jesus was pouring out his heart while telling them that one of them would soon betray Him. He was obviously hurting inside. But, being the selfish sinners they were, they immediately began arguing which one of them was the greatest. Jesus could see that they really did not care about Him. They also would soon deny Him. Does Jesus become indignant toward them? Does he resent them? No.  He continually exhibits a loving, forgiving attitude toward them and tries to teach them the importance of serving rather that being served. (See Luke 22:14-32.)

McCarthur’s image of God is contrary to how He expects husbands to love their wives. The Bible teaches husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. (See Ephesians 5:25.) How does the Church treat Jesus? The Church (us) continually acts like adulteresses toward Him. He knew this before He died for her. He lavished His love on her by dying for her. Was Jesus just paying the penalty for the sin or did He bring about restoration of the personal relationship at the same time? He brought about RECONCILIATION. This term signifies restoration of a personal relationship. If it was merely a legal transaction, the Bible would only speak of justification. But it does speak of reconciliation. Can you picture Jesus, the one who died for us, continually getting offended by our sins even though He died for them? Compare that image of Jesus with the one Isaiah provides:

You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,”  Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;

But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”  And your land, “Married”;  For the LORD delights in you” (Isaiah 62:3-4).

I wonder how John McCarthur teaches husbands to love their wives. Does he tell them that it is okay for them to harbor resentment toward them when the wife betrays the husband? Does he tell them that it is okay to withhold forgiveness until the wife comes to him and pleads for forgiveness? Does he tell them that Jesus has indignation toward his bride so it is okay if they have indignation toward their brides?  The Bible teaches that Jesus bore the wrath of God on the cross. He purchased forgiveness for His Bride. She is His beloved. As a result, she is pictured as being clothed in white raiment and thoroughly washed of her sins. The sins are depicted as having been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross. (Colossians 2:13 – 14). There is now no condemnation for her. Indignation and wrath is reserved for His enemies, not His beloved.

The Bible never pictures Jesus as indignant toward His beloved bride. While on earth, Jesus never showed indignation toward His disciples.  Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). If Jesus does not become angry and indignant toward His beloved, and shares the same characteristics as His Father, then how can the Father become indignant toward His children? It is completely inconsistent. It seems preposterous.

Perhaps John McCarthur does not understand the nature of true forgiveness which always involves the heart. Perhaps he thinks forgiveness is just something a person chooses to do with their will apart from the way they feel in their heart towards the one who offended them. I would not be surprised if he thought this way because unfortunately, many Christians do not seem to realize that forgiveness involves the heart. If a person says he forgives while yet harboring resentment toward the one who offended him, he has not forgiven from the heart.

McCarthur pictures God as one who is displeased with his children. Since they sin numerous times each day, He must always be displeased with them. He must always be indignant toward them. If God feels this way toward me, how can I dare come boldly to the throne of grace?

McCarthur also points to Hebrews 12:5-11 to support his view. He claims that since God “punishes” Christians for disobedience, this implies that He gets angry with them. I believe MCarthur is inserting an idea into this passage that cannot be substantiated. It does not say that God is angry. Most English versions use the word “discipline,” not “punishment.” Many people seem to think discipline has a negative component that involves displeasure of the one doing the disciplining. On occasion, many human fathers have disciplined their children while having anger and indignation toward them. The Hebrews 12 passage does not say that God disciplines His children this way. In fact, the word “discipline” has a strong educational component to it. The author here is speaking about the child training that God the Father begins once a person is born again into God’s family. The Father does not wait until the child commits some flagrant sin to being the child training process. Rather, He immediately begins conforming the new child into the image of Jesus.

Many Christians think that Hebrews 12:4-8 is a warning passage. “You better keep in line or God will take you to the wood shed!” The author of Hebrews did not write it as a warning. Rather, he meant it to be a comfort to them, not a warning. In verse four, he says, “Have you forgotten the word of “exhortation,” referring to a quote he then makes from the scriptures. It is unfortunate in my opinion that the translators opted for the word exhortation in most translations. The Greek word is paraklesis which actually means encouragement or comfort. The Holy Spirit is said to be the Comforter, from the word parakletos, from the same Greek root. Neither the Greek words used nor the context warrant thinking of this passage as a warning passage.

To see more clearly, all you have to do is examine the many passages in the book of Hebrews that the author intends to warn (rather than comfort.) The warning passages are intended to make the reader examine his faith to verify that it is real lest he be cast into the fire at the judgment. Hebrews 6:4-8 is one of these warning passages. It has a much different sense to it than the Hebrews 12 passage. In the Hebrews 6 passage, he clearly teaches that if a person proves to be an unbeliever, he will end up being cast into the furnace and burned.  But he goes on to say, “But we are convinced of better things concerning you” (Hebrews 6:9). In Chapter 12, he gives them a word to encourage them and give them assurance of God’s love toward them:

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation [WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT]  which is addressed to you as sons,

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,

And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons”  (Hebrews 12:4-8).

Consider the people to whom he writes this. These were not people that had fallen into sexual immorality. They had not begun to attend sacrifices to other gods at the local temple. On the contrary, these people had been suffering for the name of Jesus and demonstrating great faith in the face of persecution:

“You showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one” (Hebrews 10:34).

These were hardly children that needed to be “taken to the woodshed” and “punished” for bad behavior. Yet, these were the people to whom he gives the exhortation to “not despise the discipline of the Lord.” Clearly, the author was not using this as a warning. It is a word of encouragement. They are undergoing extreme trial and suffering. So, he says, “Take courage, this all proves that you are truly God’s beloved children” (my paraphrase). The author is clearly NOT warning them, “Keep in line lest God get angry with you and punish you with indignation.”

I believe that Jesus paid it all! He not only made possible my justification, but He also brought about full reconciliation of the relationship. Having washed me of my sins, I am pictured as His bride and His love toward me remains steadfast in spite of my pathetic performance. Any view short of this takes away from the gospel and elevates works back into the formula for right standing in the personal relationship between God and His children.

Someone might say, “If our performance does not affect God’s emotional disposition toward those who are in Christ, then won’t they become lax?  Are there no consequences for their sin?” The Bible says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:4-5). Like gravity in the physical world, God has set in place spiritual cause and effect principles. These are just as real as those in the physical world. But we must not assume that God gets angry or has indignation toward His children just because these principles are in operation.

The Bible does teach that sin causes separation between God and the unbeliever. (See Isaiah 59:2.) But Jesus has made it possible for our sins to be washed away so that we are seen by God to be white as snow. (See Isaiah 1:18.) God does not move away from us when we sin. But sin blinds our eyes so that we are hindered in our perception and experience of Him. The Christian may receive some motivation from the warning that sin causes corruption in our lives. But greater still is the motivation to watch over our hearts with all diligence, knowing that sin robs us of our enjoyment of God. So, we are motivated in many ways to walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lusts of our flesh. (See Galatians 5:16.) Because God has regenerated us, we strive to live holy lives. We do not live passive lives presuming on God’s unconditional love for us in Christ. Rather, we have the attitude of Paul that is careful not to presume anything. We are extremely serious about our desire to be with Christ in the end. We do not want to end up finding out that we are disqualified.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (I Corinthians 9:24-27).

While I strive this way, I do so knowing that God’s love for me remains steadfast no matter what. I am my Beloved and He is mine. His banner over me is love. (See Song of Songs 2:4.) Jesus is the lightning rod that absorbed all of God’s wrath toward me. As a result, I have been reconciled to God, brought into right relationship with Him. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (Ephesians 1:7-8). I have received forgiveness for all my sins, past, present and future. Jesus paid it all! Because of this alone, I can come boldly to the throne of grace without any fear that God is indignant toward me. This makes me want to love Him all the more.

 

 

Several years ago, our church sent us to evangelize the people of East Dearborn with a goal that a church is planted and new disciples flourish. By God’s grace, a church is now planted. The meetings are still small with anywhere from four to twelve people in attendance at a time and we meet in our home. But we relate to each other as fellow members of the Body of Christ and a corporate aim to advance God’s Kingdom.

On occasion, Christians from more traditional church settings ask us where we go to church. We explain that we are involved in church planting and that right now, our church meets in our home. In most cases, those who hear this suddenly seem to look at us suspiciously. Some of them come right out and rebuke us, suggesting that we have no business doing this. It reminds me of a story in the eleventh chapter of the book of Numbers involving Eldad and Medad.

 

 

²⁵Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again.

²⁶But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” ²⁸Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” ²⁹But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” ³⁰Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel. (Numbers 11:25-30).

 

In this story, Joshua acts like many of the Christians that ask us what church we attend. Eldad and Medad were prophecying. Joshua was angry with them and wanted Moses to restrain them. To Joshua’s surprise, Moses said he wished all of the Lord’s people were like Eldad and Medad. Joshua was dead wrong and so are the Christians who express similar sentiments.

To follow the biblical pattern, Christians who do church planting work must be sent to do so by a local church. But once sent, other Christians, like Moses, should be happy that the work is taking place. Instead, there is suspicion of wrong doing. This demonstrates the level of ignorance within the universal church concerning the early New Testament Church. Most Christians are programmed to think that church should be in accordance with their experience in a traditional church regardless of what the New Testament says. Anything that deters from their traditional church experience simply must be wrong.

I say, “Would that all of the Lord’s people were planting churches!” This seems to be the sentiment of Moses.

 

A pastor recently told me that he tried for two years to get the members of his church engaged in evangelism and became extremely depressed because all his efforts to spur them on failed. Then he told me that he had not engaged in purposeful evangelism for several years. I told him that he should not expect the members to do something that he is not doing himself.

 

He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11 & 12).

 

Clearly, the leaders of churches have a responsibility to equip the members for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body of Christ. Why is it that in most churches, the members are not being equipped to do their part in fulfilling the Great Mission that Jesus gave to us? It would appear that most of those in leadership positions are failing to do their job. I thank God for organizations that provide training for Christians who want to learn how to evangelize according to the biblical pattern. But in reality, they would not have to exist if church leaders would simply do their job. Church leaders should be equipping the members to proclaim the gospel to the “unchurched.” By unchurched, I mean those people who normally do not come to church. They are out in the community, not in church.

What should such equipping look like? In order for leaders to train their members to proclaim the gospel to the unchurched, they must first know how to do it themselves. They must have experience doing it and they must be doing it consistently and as a way of life. If they do not proclaim the gospel to the unchurched or do it only sporadically, then they really are not in a position to equip others. True leadership is leading by example. If a leader attempts to train others to do something he himself does not do, he becomes a hypocrite.

If the saints are going to be equipped to fulfill their role in the Great Mission of the church, leaders must step up to the plate and begin fulfilling their responsibility to GO and make disciples. They must not deceive themselves into thinking that their role does not include proclaiming the gospel to those outside the church. Unless and until they do so, they will not be leading by example and therefore not be in a position to fulfill their responsibility to equip the members to do this all important task Jesus gave to us. Put another way, many pastors must repent and begin doing their job to equip the saints to do the all important work of evangelism.

Lastly, I wish to say that I do not feel comfortable or happy writing an article of this nature. By doing so, I am putting myself in a dangerous position. (See Galatians 6:1.) But I am convinced that the Christians living in the 21^st century U.S. are suffering and the kingdom of God is not being advanced as it should because of a lack of engagement in the Great Mission. If leaders who are currently not engaged in making disciples (among the unchurched) repent and begin doing so, they will be made fat spiritually and their flocks will begin to flourish with fruitful lives.

The next time I saw the pastor mentioned in the beginning of this article, he told me that he had been engaged in face to face evangelism and hopes it becomes a regular part of his spiritual diet. He was all excited and told me about one of his recent gospel conversations. I think the fire is lit in him and this type of fire spreads to others. I pray that more and more pastors get the opportunity to experience what he is now experiencing.