Each evening, in my prayer time, I asked God to give me wisdom,
understanding, and knowledge to enable me to share His Word - and
tenacity in defending His Word. Does tenacity in defending His Word
sound too militant? Are we called to only share the Gospel in love,
but never to refute misunderstood, erroneous, or false teachings?
Isn't that the meaning of Christian apologetics - to be bold in defending the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for those who are still "babes in Christ," who are still immature in their knowledge of the Word of God - and in defending it against those who would twist, denigrate, or deny what the Bible teaches us? A strong Biblical admonishment for defending our Christian faith is found in 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
Should we only share when asked? I have had sincere Christian Friends tell me, "Bill, if they want to hear about Jesus and salvation, they will ask me. If they do not ask, I will not beat them over the head with my Bible." Such a Friend I will politely, and with a smile, call a "couch potato" Christian, i.e., "If they want to know, they will come to me!" But, what does Jesus tell us to do? "GO!, Make Disciples, Baptize Them, TEACH Them. . . Be My witnesses in ALL the world!" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15). He does not tell us to sit on our couch waiting for someone to come and ask us about Him. No, He tells us to, "GO!"
True, we should never "beat" anyone with our Bible. But we should be open at all times to sharing the Word of God with those who do not yet know Him. If you have never been around or lived around water - will you know how to swim? Or will you need someone to guide and teach you? The same is true of God's Word; if a person has never been truly exposed to God's Word, how will they know they need it? One cannot share the love of God, without sharing the Word of God.
You might ask, "But, Bill, if God is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and everywhere present (omnipresent) - cannot He defend His own Word? Can't He just smite those who would defame His name, His Gospel?"
Of course He can. That is how we know the Bible, all 66 books, is the true Word of God - for He has protected His Word through thousands of years of copying, translations, and canonization. That is how we know that the message of Jesus Christ and eternal life found in the Bible is the true Gospel, for He has defended and protected His Word.
But, like any good father, rather than doing everything for us - He most often allows us to do the task. Why? Well, could your child learn to do his math homework if you insisted upon doing it for him? What would your child learn if you did all his math homework for him? By guiding him, offering suggestions now and then, and then allowing him to do the work himself - he learns.
And, the same is true of us. God has given each believer the absolute best Teacher that has ever existed, the Holy Spirit. The moment we become new believers the Holy Spirit indwells us, i.e., comes to live within us, seals us in Christ (Ephesians 1:13) - never to leave us (Ephesians 4:30, John 14:16).
Why does He dwell within us? To help us better understand the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13) - To teach us what God would have each mature believer know about Him and His Word (John 14:26) - To convict us when we inevitably fail (John 16:7–11) - To guide us in our Christian walk (John 16:13) - To witness to us of the glory, deity, and works of Jesus Christ (John 15:26, John 16:14, 1 Corinthians 12:3).
So, should we Christian believers be "defending the Word of God, our Christian faith"? You betcha! And, we do that by being prepared and ready to share the love of Christ, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with all people. That is how we show that we are truly their Friends.
Last Sunday, in our sermon message Pastor Omer Mascarina shared with us about being Friends - with other believers and with those who are not yet believers. He reminded us that Jesus was the Friend of sinners (Matthew 11:16-19). Why did Jesus hang with the sinners?
Then, Pastor Omer shared how we believers are to be Friends with others, with Christian brethren and with those who do not yet know Him:
So, should we be Friends of sinners? Yes. Should we enable an aberrant lifestyle just to avoid upsetting that Friend? No.
Should we be serious about defending our Christian faith? That depends upon how much you love Jesus Christ. Did Jesus tell the money changers in the temple, "Oh, don't worry. I will just look the other way while you cheat people and defame God's House. After all, that is your way of life."
Or did He admonish them to change their ways?
We all know the answer to that question. And, if we are to be faithful Christ Followers, i.e., Christians - shouldn't we be doing all in our power to emulate Him? Shouldn't we love our fellow man with a love strong enough to tell him/her when the path he is walking is leading him to destruction?
Jesus Christ tells us that we should love our fellow man - love him - not enable and encourage his downfall through accepting a Godless lifestyle as normal - just to make him comfortable.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Isn't that the meaning of Christian apologetics - to be bold in defending the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for those who are still "babes in Christ," who are still immature in their knowledge of the Word of God - and in defending it against those who would twist, denigrate, or deny what the Bible teaches us? A strong Biblical admonishment for defending our Christian faith is found in 1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
Should we only share when asked? I have had sincere Christian Friends tell me, "Bill, if they want to hear about Jesus and salvation, they will ask me. If they do not ask, I will not beat them over the head with my Bible." Such a Friend I will politely, and with a smile, call a "couch potato" Christian, i.e., "If they want to know, they will come to me!" But, what does Jesus tell us to do? "GO!, Make Disciples, Baptize Them, TEACH Them. . . Be My witnesses in ALL the world!" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15). He does not tell us to sit on our couch waiting for someone to come and ask us about Him. No, He tells us to, "GO!"
True, we should never "beat" anyone with our Bible. But we should be open at all times to sharing the Word of God with those who do not yet know Him. If you have never been around or lived around water - will you know how to swim? Or will you need someone to guide and teach you? The same is true of God's Word; if a person has never been truly exposed to God's Word, how will they know they need it? One cannot share the love of God, without sharing the Word of God.
You might ask, "But, Bill, if God is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and everywhere present (omnipresent) - cannot He defend His own Word? Can't He just smite those who would defame His name, His Gospel?"
Of course He can. That is how we know the Bible, all 66 books, is the true Word of God - for He has protected His Word through thousands of years of copying, translations, and canonization. That is how we know that the message of Jesus Christ and eternal life found in the Bible is the true Gospel, for He has defended and protected His Word.
But, like any good father, rather than doing everything for us - He most often allows us to do the task. Why? Well, could your child learn to do his math homework if you insisted upon doing it for him? What would your child learn if you did all his math homework for him? By guiding him, offering suggestions now and then, and then allowing him to do the work himself - he learns.
And, the same is true of us. God has given each believer the absolute best Teacher that has ever existed, the Holy Spirit. The moment we become new believers the Holy Spirit indwells us, i.e., comes to live within us, seals us in Christ (Ephesians 1:13) - never to leave us (Ephesians 4:30, John 14:16).
Why does He dwell within us? To help us better understand the Word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13) - To teach us what God would have each mature believer know about Him and His Word (John 14:26) - To convict us when we inevitably fail (John 16:7–11) - To guide us in our Christian walk (John 16:13) - To witness to us of the glory, deity, and works of Jesus Christ (John 15:26, John 16:14, 1 Corinthians 12:3).
So, should we Christian believers be "defending the Word of God, our Christian faith"? You betcha! And, we do that by being prepared and ready to share the love of Christ, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with all people. That is how we show that we are truly their Friends.
Last Sunday, in our sermon message Pastor Omer Mascarina shared with us about being Friends - with other believers and with those who are not yet believers. He reminded us that Jesus was the Friend of sinners (Matthew 11:16-19). Why did Jesus hang with the sinners?
Mark 2:16-17, "And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, 'How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?' When Jesus heard it, He said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.'"
Then, Pastor Omer shared how we believers are to be Friends with others, with Christian brethren and with those who do not yet know Him:
1. A Real Friend Sacrifices (John 15:12-15) - Just as Jesus Christ came in human form to give Himself as the one true Sacrificial Lamb for us.
2. A Real Friend Loves (Proverbs 17:17) - Just as Jesus loves us and died for every person in the world, believer and those yet to believe.
3. A Real Friend Is Steadfast (Proverbs 18:24) - Jesus is always there for us - and, in like fashion, we should always be available and ready to lift up a brother or sister in need, spiritually or materially.
4. A Real Friend Accepts (Matthew 11:18, Luke 19:7) - Even while we were still sinners, Jesus accepted us and made salvation available to each of us by taking our sins and our punishment upon Himself, dying in our stead.
5. A Real Friend Offers Correction (Proverbs 27:6) - Can we really say we are a Friend, that we love another, if we see that person walking in such a way that can only bring eternal destruction - and we do not offer corrective guidance? If a brother or sister is living a lifestyle which we know, from the Bible, will keep that person from having eternal life in Christ - should we just be quiet, accept his/her lifestyle as normal and acceptable to God, when we know it is not?
No, a real Friend will love that person enough to tell him/her that the lifestyle he is living is wrong - and that he truly needs to turn from that lifestyle, i.e., the world - and turn to follow Jesus Christ.
6. A Real Friend Forgives (Matthew 26:50) - Jesus Christ forgives us when we seek Him. Can we do less with others?
7. A Real Friend Is Open (John 15:15) - Jesus Christ receives each believer as a brother, a friend. Should we not receive others in the same love? And, should we not receive even non-believers in love, not a sin accepting love - but in a love which is uplifting, not enabling of a sin lifestyle?
Hebrews 3:13, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
So, should we be Friends of sinners? Yes. Should we enable an aberrant lifestyle just to avoid upsetting that Friend? No.
Should we be serious about defending our Christian faith? That depends upon how much you love Jesus Christ. Did Jesus tell the money changers in the temple, "Oh, don't worry. I will just look the other way while you cheat people and defame God's House. After all, that is your way of life."
Or did He admonish them to change their ways?
We all know the answer to that question. And, if we are to be faithful Christ Followers, i.e., Christians - shouldn't we be doing all in our power to emulate Him? Shouldn't we love our fellow man with a love strong enough to tell him/her when the path he is walking is leading him to destruction?
Jesus Christ tells us that we should love our fellow man - love him - not enable and encourage his downfall through accepting a Godless lifestyle as normal - just to make him comfortable.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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