---REPOST FROM XANGA JULY 2010---
Love Evangelism vs. Intellectual Evangelism vs. Tract Evangelism
if salvation comes from a change in the heart, and not in the mind, then our evangelism should be focused at the heart.
our logical arguments pale in comparison to the supernatural love that we have.
would you rather believe in an almighty being because someone gave you a good reason, or because you witnessed that almighty being show love to YOU (either directly or through a person)?
we are so focused on being efficient with our tracts because we have a whole world to reach. we are so focused on having the right arguments, using the right words, how to use persuasion without deception, even how to train others to do these things!
The problem with this focus is that it misses the whole point of the Gospel. we are SHARING THE GOSPEL, not sharing theology or ideas. the Gospel is a love story - how do you expect to share it without love?!
Sharing the Gospel is mostly thought to be an audio or written thing. We tell someone the 'Good News' or we 'share the Gospel' with someone - essentially, we tell them a story riddled with the beliefs.
How often do these people make advances? How often do these people face rejection? How often do the new believers from these methods struggle with the very thing they were taught? (That God loves us).
The reason that the results are so poor is because our Gospel-sharing lacks love. it lacks action. it lacks the washing of feet, it lacks the faith-born miracles, it lacks the sharing of food and money, it lacks the healing and renewing power of supernatural love.
I've heard a lot of people say that supernatural ministry is the most effective. I agreed with them - who wouldn't want to believe in the God who can do crazy miracles, who can heal countless people from incurable diseases, the God who can defy the laws of physics to make a point?! I still agree, but now with the greater understanding that LOVE is the CORNERSTONE of the spiritual gifts.
Love is hands down the greatest, in experience (and explicitly stated in the Bible: 1Cor 13:13) and in theory. Love is what ministers to the heart. Love is what draws people in. Love is what keeps people coming. Love is what ultimately drives a person to what he/she wants.
What we as Christians are selling is the ability to love something that won't fade. Even greater, the ability to love something that can LOVE US BACK EVEN MORE!
it IS mind-blowing - but we just say that it is and never have our minds blown! (no wonder people think we're hypocrites).
we tell them stories about Jesus who did all these wonderful things, and they think 'well that's cool, but how come I never see you Christians do these things for ME?'.
The reason is because we love to serve through organizations and church institutions.
we hardly serve the body.
and we scarcely directly serve the people around us.
when's the last time you knocked on a neighbor's door and asked if they needed help with anything?
never? (that's my answer.. sigh)
so keep your arguments&tracts stored in your mind for WHEN THE PERSON ASKS; and START LOVING NOW.
start serving now - there is no easier way to show someone devotion & love than by serving.
our logical arguments pale in comparison to the supernatural love that we have.
would you rather believe in an almighty being because someone gave you a good reason, or because you witnessed that almighty being show love to YOU (either directly or through a person)?
we are so focused on being efficient with our tracts because we have a whole world to reach. we are so focused on having the right arguments, using the right words, how to use persuasion without deception, even how to train others to do these things!
The problem with this focus is that it misses the whole point of the Gospel. we are SHARING THE GOSPEL, not sharing theology or ideas. the Gospel is a love story - how do you expect to share it without love?!
Sharing the Gospel is mostly thought to be an audio or written thing. We tell someone the 'Good News' or we 'share the Gospel' with someone - essentially, we tell them a story riddled with the beliefs.
How often do these people make advances? How often do these people face rejection? How often do the new believers from these methods struggle with the very thing they were taught? (That God loves us).
The reason that the results are so poor is because our Gospel-sharing lacks love. it lacks action. it lacks the washing of feet, it lacks the faith-born miracles, it lacks the sharing of food and money, it lacks the healing and renewing power of supernatural love.
I've heard a lot of people say that supernatural ministry is the most effective. I agreed with them - who wouldn't want to believe in the God who can do crazy miracles, who can heal countless people from incurable diseases, the God who can defy the laws of physics to make a point?! I still agree, but now with the greater understanding that LOVE is the CORNERSTONE of the spiritual gifts.
Love is hands down the greatest, in experience (and explicitly stated in the Bible: 1Cor 13:13) and in theory. Love is what ministers to the heart. Love is what draws people in. Love is what keeps people coming. Love is what ultimately drives a person to what he/she wants.
What we as Christians are selling is the ability to love something that won't fade. Even greater, the ability to love something that can LOVE US BACK EVEN MORE!
it IS mind-blowing - but we just say that it is and never have our minds blown! (no wonder people think we're hypocrites).
we tell them stories about Jesus who did all these wonderful things, and they think 'well that's cool, but how come I never see you Christians do these things for ME?'.
The reason is because we love to serve through organizations and church institutions.
we hardly serve the body.
and we scarcely directly serve the people around us.
when's the last time you knocked on a neighbor's door and asked if they needed help with anything?
never? (that's my answer.. sigh)
so keep your arguments&tracts stored in your mind for WHEN THE PERSON ASKS; and START LOVING NOW.
start serving now - there is no easier way to show someone devotion & love than by serving.
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