This and That 083012 Thinking it through.

Mat 7:21-23  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  (22)  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'  (23)  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

We all know “good” people; people who except for their lack of faith look and act a lot like believers.  They sacrifice, do good works, have kind hearts – we like them and enjoy their company.  We also admire their commitment to others.  But------

Then there’s this passage and we are confronted with His truth.  Uggg, uuuph… it is a hard blow.  It is really heartbreaking.

The tough part is in how to warn them of the judgment to come.

We hesitate to point out that which may well destroy our relationship.  We hesitate to be thought a fanatic.  We hesitate to be accused of “hate speech.”  We hesitate because the flesh is weak although the spirit is troubled and convicted.

We are His people to proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter 2).  Yet we hesitate.  We think of all the arguments they may have or the offense they may take or even the anger they might express and we hesitate.

However – I wonder if we actually stuck to, “proclaiming His excellencies,” instead of confronting them with their sin (which they don’t recognize) – if  the Spirit would find it more useful.  You know, talk about Him and His work in our lives and the lives of others.  Talk about His goodness and mercy and providence in our lives and the body of Christ.

I think of:

Heb 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  (2)  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

I then read chapter 11 of Hebrews and it is testimony after testimony of how God is true and faithful and merciful and gracious.  I begin to wonder if our “witness” isn’t bigger than the Roman Road, the Acts Tracks or the Bridge illustration.  I wonder if we are starting at the wrong (or at least the less helpful) place when we come with the scent of brimstone instead of the Balm of Gilead.

Bang – it comes to mind –

 Rom 2:3-4  Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God?  (4)  Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

The kindness of God, His forbearance and patience – meant to lead us (and them??) to repentance?

Do we start with the offense of the cross or do we start with the grace and mercy – yes, the kindness of God as we have seen it made manifest?   

We are called, chosen to proclaim His excellencies – that’s just stuck in my head.  So what’s so hard about that?  Sure, if the Spirit is working in them we will get to the cross but why the rush?  I was once told that at the judgment, no one will get the wrong one. 

We are not here to win a debate or an election – this isn’t the point.  We are here to represent Him and His holiness.  I keep getting stuck on, “proclaiming His excellencies.”

So and I am asking, shouldn’t I start with Him and then me and then others who are His?  Can’t I, like Peter in Acts reach back into that wonderful old testimony about Him and his and proclaim that?  Should I not look for the opportunity to tell of His mercy and kindness in my life – isn’t that what I have to testify about?

As I think this way I am sensing a lightening of a load – with a smidge of anxiety.  I am excited about looking for opportunities to witness to His excellencies and just a little anxious about the cross part.

No, I’m not thinking of sugar-coating the Gospel – I’m trying to discern how to start with the “Good News” – and move the strangely offensive (????) “Best News.”   

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Mar 16:15

 

What, if any, are the differences between proclaiming the Gospel and proclaiming His excellencies?  Is not the Gospel the acorn of His excellencies – the nut of the matter, the whole giant oak of His excellencies made compact.

Ahhhhhh, I found it!

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  (6)  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt  [wisdom and prudence ], so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:5-6 

Amen and amen . . . .