Monday, March 4, 2013

Compelling Reasons


"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.  Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (II Corinthians 5:10-15 NIV)

We live in a culture that says one of the worst things to do is to offend someone.  Almost daily, you will hear news of someone being offended and seeking an apology, whether it be from a government official, a school teacher, an entertainer or an athlete. And this definitely has spilled over into the realm of proclaiming the Gospel.

Because there are many who feel they have been "put upon" by the church and religious teachings, or believe there are many truths and many ways to God, they are offended when we as followers of Jesus seek to tell them about the Lord we love.  The mere mention of Jesus or an invitation to church will elicit a negative response.  So our response is increasingly just not to say anything for fear of causing offense.  And the result is fewer and fewer attempts to share the Gospel.  In essence, we have decided it is better not to offend than to share how others can escape judgment.

The Gospel was offensive to the Jews of the 1st Century and considered foolishness by the Gentiles.  Yet Paul says two things compelled him to press ahead to share the good news of Jesus despite the resistance to it: the fear of the Lord and the love of Christ.  Paul was convinced that each person will one day stand before the Almighty God to be judged.  The recognition of this is the fear of the Lord. But he also recognized that Christ's love, demonstrated through His death on the Cross, provides the mercy to avoid the eternal consequences of the Judgement.  Both fear and love compelled him to speak.  

Our world is not that much different than that of the 1st Century.  The Gospel is still offensive and often viewed as foolishness by those around us.  But, like Paul, that should not deter us from sharing it because we fear the Lord and we have experienced the mercy of His love. 

Today, consider the fate of each person if they do not know Jesus.  And remember the mercy you have been shown by God through Jesus.  These are two compelling reasons to seek to engage people with the Gospel.  

Jim Musser 2013

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