Hang in there folks. This is going to be an adventure.
We’ve all heard the question: which came first, the chicken or the egg? Obviously, the answer is chicken. A chicken egg cannot be produced without a chicken. The chicken had to have happened before the egg.
I fear in our circles we put the cart before the horse when we interact with the lost. We have things out of order. We expect to see people turn from their sin prior to their salvation. How in the world did we get that idea? The sinful man is predisposed to follow after sin. It is only through the salvation found in Jesus Christ that he now has the power to turn away from that sin.
If we were to interact with the lost in the proper way, our interactions with the lost would be to tell them of the gospel that can save them from their sins. Our interactions with the lost would show them the love of Christ. Instead? Many claiming the name of Christ choose instead to attack the lost rather than witness to them. It’s sad I have to say this, but angry yells do not yield fruit. Love is what is needed in order to win the lost.
Anger makes both sides dig in. Love breaks down walls.
Anger seeks to win a battle. Love seeks peace in conflict.
Anger divides. Love unites.
Truth without love is contention.
Love without truth is compromise.
Truth with love is Christlike.
If you have a problem with what I am saying, just study this out. How many times did Jesus yell at those doing wrong around him? How many times did Jesus show love to those doing wrong around him? If you have to study to answer those questions, you might be causing more harm than good for the cause of Christ.
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 15:1–2 KJV
THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS!
He was attacked for receiving them to dinner! He was offering them the love the Pharisees would never dare stoop to offer. Let’s stop putting the cart before the horse friends! To our shame, we can’t even look a “sinner” in the eye without scoffing! Have we forgotten who we were? Don’t make it harder for soulwinners to win people to Jesus. We have enough of a gap right now as it is. Stop putting the cart before the horse.