comfortable in their sin

Last Friday was really good.  It was a bit nippy outside, and there were not as many people on the streets, but the ones that we got to share with were receptive to the Gospel - for the most part.  We also found a "fishing spot" that I think we will go back frequently.  It was just in the lobby of Target, which is open until 10, and warm, and most of the people are sober.  I guess it is a cross between the mall, and the streets!

What never ceases to amaze me, as we share,  is the lack of knowledge of the need for repentance  before forgiveness of sin.

 

We have raised a generation of young kids that when asked the question, "if someone were to slaughter your whole family, for $20, and then stood before a judge and said they were sorry, and the judge let them go, would you consider that a good judge?"

And many, many will say yes.   They have heard of the forgiveness, and love of Jesus, but they do not have any sense of awe and fear of Him as a righteous, and holy, and perfect judge.  Who has to judge sin - or compromise His holiness.  The central theme of the cross.

 

If you ask if they were to be judged by the 10 commandment, innocent or guilty?  All will say guilty.  If you then ask if judged by the 10 commandments heaven or hell - most will say heaven.  Why?  Because they are a "good person" and God would never send anyone He loves to hell. 

Again, they miss the need for the cross, and discount that their sin cost the Father everything in His perfect and Holy Sacrifice.

 

A false gospel making false converts (not to judge, but to simply let their own answers speak, as they line up with the scriptures).

This generation is comfortable in their sin, while deceived into thinking they can abide in sin, and still abide in Christ. 

 

As we spoke, many listened, some scoffed, some questioned, and some had no interest. 

There were 2 people we met - one from Switzerland, and one from Ethiopia.  When asked of the one from Switzerland - heaven or hell - heaven.  Why? Because of Jesus Christ my Redeemer!!  He had a smile and a joy of the Lord that encouraged us, and was a gift from the Father. We gave him Bibles, and tracts to share with others - he is at the U. of M. and I know what a hostile place that is to share the Gospel.

The one from Ethiopia stated yes as well - and with joy stated that he was a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

But there were others that were skeptical, and cynical, and apathetic, and deceived.  And it broke my heart. I got one response that stopped me in my tracks.  When I mentioned that Jesus was perfectly righteous, perfectly holy, and perfectly just one of the kids (there were 6 guys - in their early 20's) one said "I don't believe He was perfect."  Still mulling on that one. I just went back to the law - the schoolmaster to shut every mouth, and condemn those who are under the law - for the singular purpose (uncomfortable as it may be, with the current no hell, prosperity gospel) of using the conscience to bypass the intellect.  Relying, as always, on the Holy Spirit to convict. 

  

I feel a sense of urgency that is quite acute at the moment. 

We need to sound a clarion call, sharing the Gospel with all that we meet. 

I will end with some quotes from an article called the sin of silence (by Ron Keller)

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" - Martin Luther King

"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.  God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak.  Not to act is to act. " - Bonhoeffer - who was martyred for Jesus at the age of 38.  

"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" - Burke 

God has given us an opportunity like no other - and as people face the uncertainty is so many different areas, it is our great opportunity to show hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of crisis, and love in the midst of hatred. 

 

No greater love is there than to go and preach the gospel, making disciples of men. 

We are on a rapid course of the loss of free speech, when giving a Bible could be distributing hate literature, and when to stand for Christ we may also give our lives for Him. 

My I encourage each of you to keep your focus sharp, and your heart pure - witnessing with compassion toward a world that is clueless of the good news of Jesus Christ. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 

 

May the freaks multiply, and the seed that is given fall on soil that is soft - that the Lord of the Harvest can change the hearts and lives of those He loves while we still have opportunity to be used by our KIng of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

 

Blessings to all.