Big Question Follow-Up

Follow-up to Big Question #4:

So how exactly does a Reformed (Calvinist) person share the gospel using theologically precise language? How would it sound different than the typical Arminianist gospel presentation?

My answer is that a Reformed gospel presentation should not sound very different from an Arminianist one, because the basis and goal of the conversation is exactly the same. We are Christians appealing to non-Christians to become Christians based on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. While there are very distinct differences in Arminian and Reformed understandings of conversion and regeneration, a gospel presentation with a non-Christian is not the appropriate place to have such discussions. That is more of the 'meat and potatoes' which would choke a new believer who needs 'milk.' (1 Corinthians 3:2, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Peter 2:2)

[As a note of preface, what follows is in no way meant to make me look like the end-all, be-all of evangelism... I am simply sharing an approach that I have used that seems to grant me an audience and extended conversation with non-believers. I am not a skilled evangelist and am far from perfect in the way that I conduct myself during these conversations.]

Whenever I share the gospel with someone I am always very careful to take them through Scripture – not just spout off doctrine or opinions. I bring a Bible that I will give them (nice decent Bibles, not cheap ones... They’re an immensely important gift and I like to make sure that I honor them with a Bible I would use) and a list of the Scriptures that I will reference throughout our conversation, and I make sure to give them a CityView Church business card so they can visit if they’d like. I also take quick notes about who they are so that I can effectively guide the conversation and pray for them after we're done (I'll tell them that I'm writing down things that I'll be praying about for them so they don't get skittish).

Basically after we've talked about their spiritual beliefs or religious heritage, I ask the person in question if I could share what I believe. I have never had anyone turn me down on this. I then tell them (the words and depth depending on our previous conversation and their religious/spiritual background) that God created everything in the universe for a specific purpose. He created humans to honor and worship him, but we rebelled against God and tried to do things our own way. As a result, our connection with God was broken, and we have all sorts of problems in the world (hate, fear, greed, insecurity, etc.) because of our rejection of God and his subsequent wrath toward our disobedience. God, however, sent his Son Jesus to live a perfect life and teach us how to live (he is God in human form) and to absorb the punishment and wrath of God because of our sin. Jesus died on the cross in order to make it possible for us to be with and know God personally – he reconnects us with God, and if we trust that Jesus will save us and if we obey what Jesus told us to do we will be in heaven when we die, living with God for eternity. Then I talk about how faith is a gift from God, and that we cannot save ourselves with just living well – we must trust God to give us the Holy Spirit, made possible by the grace of Jesus’ death, according to the will of God the Father.

Along the way, I will sprinkle in the Scripture references from my cards (as well as others) and show the person where in the Bible I get the material I’m talking about.

The references (and brief descriptions) are:

- Romans 3:23 – we have all sinned against God

- Romans 6:23 – because of our sin we are spiritually dead

- Romans 5:8 – God loves us in spite of ourselves and sent Jesus to save us

- Isaiah 53:6 – God punished Jesus for our sins

- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – God sent Jesus to take away our sins and renew our relationship with God

- Ephesians 2:8-9 – we are saved by faith in Jesus and that faith is a gift from God

- Romans 10:9-10 – if you believe that Jesus died for your sins, give your life to him and follow him faithfully and you will be saved

At that point, the conversation has had many rabbit trails and we’ve had some good laughs and a few points of disagreement. I give them an opportunity to pray with me if they would like, I invite them to church, give them my contact information, and get theirs as well. I’ll also follow up and keep talking with them so they don’t drop off the map. I’ve seen first-hand the illustration of the parable of the sower (some receiving the news with joy and then falling away, some growing and bearing fruit, and some completely rejecting what I have to say - see Matthew 13).

In evangelism it’s important to realize that the average person who comes to faith in Jesus hears the gospel between 7 and 10 times before they make a decision... And you may be the third time in that line. It’s important that you build a relationship with the person rather than trying to check items off a to-do list. Teach them well and express yourself clearly, but remember that you’re building the kingdom and if you’re successful you may start a lifelong relationship with a new brother or sister in Christ. Keep the pressure off by keeping your conversation in perspective. One-conversation conversions are incredibly rare in today’s society... Just be patient and gracious with them. They will learn far more about Christianity from your actions and the way that you speak than from the words you say and the concepts you’re talking about.

Again, I didn't write this because I'm an evangelism guru... I'm just trying to answer questions and start conversations. That's about all I've got for now.

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Big Questions - Day 5

Question #5:

How much of our relationship with God is our responsibility? How does God's Spirit and our actions work together? When are we walking in the Spirit vs. flesh?

I’ve got to say that this is by far the toughest question for me. It is a deep, involved discussion on which Scripture is not explicitly clear. I can tell you that if we are saved in Christ then we are not under God’s wrath, but under his mercy as his children. His grace covers our sin (and we do most definitely sin), and he does indeed discipline us when we disobey.

At this point, I cannot offer you a 100% definitive answer, but I will do my best to tell you what Scripture says to this effect, and offer my best shot at an opinion. I do know that God has begun a good work in me, and will perfect it (Philippians 1:6). Our sanctification began by the regenerating work of the spirit, and cannot be perfected by our own efforts in the flesh (Galatians 3:3). So for sure, God is the one who drives our sanctification. However, we are still responsible for our actions, otherwise there would be no commands to obey God’s commands, consider ourselves dead to sin, and to stop sinning (Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 2, 10; Galatians 5; Ephesians 4, etc.).

See, there is this tension in Scripture that we find throughout Paul’s letters… there’s a sense of Christians already having the perfecting power of the Holy Spirit inside of us, but we are not yet perfected – that will only be when we are in heaven for eternity. It’s called the ‘already/not-yet’ paradox, and there have been many books written about it as well as the interaction between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.

The best thing that I can tell you from this point on is to fall on your face before the sovereignty of God and pour your heart into your relationship with him. Pray constantly that he will continue to drive your sanctification and trust that the Holy Spirit (God himself) is enough to help you as you live your life.

As far as knowing when you’re walking by the Spirit as opposed to gratifying your flesh, read the Scriptures and figure out what God’s heart is and where your convictions lie. Also, find a solid church that can teach you and sharpen your walk with the Lord, and get plugged in with a group of people who love you and who you will let speak into your life with authority, and hold each other accountable. Trust that God will convict you of sin, pray that he would open your eyes to it, and lean on the grace of Christ when (not if) you find it in your life. That, as far as I can tell, is how we can humbly work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

As a final reference, I would encourage you to read Romans 6-8 (especially 8:1-17).

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Big Questions - Day 4

Question #4:

What message of Good News are we supposed to bring to people in light of God's Sovereignty? Do we tell people that aren't Christians yet that it is in fact God's choice whether they will be saved or not? What would this message sound like?

I think a lot of people in the Reformed camp are confused about this, and don’t really know how their theology should practically work itself out in their lives. The best thing I can say to you on this question is that you shouldn’t let your theology get in the way of clear commands from Scripture. While it is very true that God is the one who brings souls to himself, he is also clear in commanding us to go and share the gospel with nonbelievers. Even though we don’t know who will respond in faith and be saved, God does – which lets us share the gospel confidently, knowing that God will ultimately act for his glory, whether the person we’re talking with comes to faith or not. It is simply not in our hands. It is not our job to predestine, but it is our job to obey our Lord Jesus and follow the commands he has set for us (Matthew 28:18-20).

So in a sense, the message would sound no different. We are to call people to repentance and a saving faith in Christ, and then the process of discipleship should kick into high gear. When we proclaim the gospel, only those whom the Holy Spirit has already started working in will respond – those who are still dead in their trespasses and cold toward the gospel will merely shrug it off and go on about their business.

I think another misconception about Reformed theology and gospel presentations (especially trips to other nations) has to do with us ‘bringing the gospel’ to that place. We don’t ‘bring the gospel’ with us… God is already at work in that place, beginning to stir in people’s hearts to bring them to repentance and saving faith. The gospel working and bearing fruit doesn’t depend on our presence, and it doesn’t depend on our ingenuity or our well-articulated phrasing of biblical truth. Rather, it rests in the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, and we as the ones who are there sharing the gospel are just spectators and get the incredible opportunity to see God’s hand at work saving people. Going on ‘mission trips’ is more about obeying God’s call and getting to see God at work rather than ‘taking the gospel’ somewhere because ‘if we don’t, they won’t hear the gospel and none of them will be saved’.

A while back I heard someone that I greatly respect say that we should ‘believe like a Calvinist, and act like an Arminianist.’ By that he meant that we should trust God to bring souls to himself, but we should also co-labor with God to bring them to faith in Christ. We as humans with a limited perspective do not know who will be saved – we can only know who true Christians are by their fruit and works (James 2:14-26; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 7:15-20, 13:1-9, 18-23). That should take the pressure off of us when we share the gospel and realize that there’s nothing that we can do to screw up God’s plan to bring someone to salvation, and on the flip side of that coin there’s also no amount of creativity or attractive speech that will bring someone to genuine repentant saving faith if they are lost and the Holy Spirit is not working in them.

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Big Questions - Day 3

Question #3:

Since God is sovereign and He does choose some people to be saved and others to go to hell, does he hate those he doesn't choose to be saved?

The short answer to this question is yes - BUT with a large footnote for clarification and explanation. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in faithful covenant love, and forgiving of all kinds of sin (Exodus 34:6-7). However, God is also holy and must punish sin if he is indeed a righteous and just God (Exodus 34:7). For example, would a state or federal judge be just if he acquitted a guilty criminal and dropped all of his charges without any form of retribution or punishment for the offense? Absolutely not. It’s the same way with God – he is infinitely holy, so our sin is infinitely offensive to him; therefore if he is just he must punish sin in keeping with his holiness. This is why the Old Testament has the sacrificial system (in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), the prophets proclaiming judgment on disobedient nations (Jeremiah, Nahum, Obadiah, Malachi, etc.), and ultimately why God sent Jesus to suffer and die on our behalf, that we might become children of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

God hates sin and exercises his wrath toward and upon it (Romans 1:18-32 – especially verses 18, 24, 26, and 28). He also tells us through Paul in his letter to the Romans (3:23, 5:12) and through the prophet Isaiah (53:6) that we are all sinners and deserve to go to hell. But God, being rich in his mercy has chosen some to be examples of his grace to live for his glory (Romans 3:24, 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-10) and through his infinite wisdom has chosen some to be vessels of his wrath (Romans 9:13-23). For those elect, God punished Jesus so that he would be just in rightfully punishing our sin, but also so that he would be the one who justifies us by presenting Jesus as the one who takes that punishment (Romans 3:25-26).

So yes, God does hate sin, and he punishes all sin because he is a just and holy God. However, those whom He has chosen have the precious blood of Christ protecting them from God’s wrath, whereas those who do not know Jesus as their savior are left to endure the consequences of their sin and will ultimately face eternal judgment in hell. This is not a pleasant discussion, and it is not easy to see God as the righteous judge of the universe, but I believe that this is the picture that God's revelation of himself (the Bible) paints of who he is. This is also why it is immensely important to trust and follow Jesus, for he and he alone is the one who can truly take our sins away and guarantee our favor with God by his perfect sacrifice on the cross.

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Big Questions - Day 2

Question #2:

How do you stay focused on God's glory?

My goodness… this one could easily fill a book. Actually, now that I think of it, John Piper has written a great book on this subject called “Desiring God”… I highly encourage you to read it and plod through it. It’s a great read, but it is thick and deep – so pack a lunch and some Advil.

In a nutshell, we stay focused on God’s glory by understanding who he is in relation to us – in other words, we’ve got to have the right perspective. God is uncreated; we are created. God is infinite, omniscient, and holy; we are finite, limited in our thinking, and sinful. So, knowing that God is much grander than we will ever be means that we honor him as the most glorious being that ever will be.

Now, that’s not to say that I don’t get sidetracked and follow after less glorious things (the ‘created things’ from Romans 1) and spend my time and affections following after things that don’t deserve what only God deserves. Staying on track, then, takes diligence, discipline, and God’s grace. The Christian life isn’t always peachy – it’s tough being a sinner, dealing with sinfulness and other sinners. But, if we keep our eyes on heaven and have an eternal perspective (not a temporal earthly one), then we will stay devoted to prayer, knowing and studying Scripure, and following what God has willed for our lives. The Holy Spirit is instrumental in this, as Jesus calls him the ‘helper’ (see John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7; Romans 8:15, 23, 26-30). Also, the community of believers is a huge help that God has given us a bunch of folks to run with, to live with, to worship with, to encourage us, to challenge us, to help teach and lead us, and to battle in the trenches with us.

The last thing that I can say to you on this is to keep the faith and study the parable of the talents from Matthew 25. The men who were entrusted with the talents (large units of money back then) were told to spend them wisely for their master’s glory. The ones who were faithful and wise stewards were praised, given more, and allowed into their master’s joy (heaven). But the one who was not diligent and neglected what his master entrusted him with was cast into the darkness (hell). Stay faithful, not out of fear of God’s judgment, but rather out of joy because God has enabled you to be faithful, and gives us grace and merciful discipline when we are not.

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