Encounter Jesus

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Values/Mission
  • Ben's Blog
  • Prayer

Not a Debate - Truth in Love

1/4/2013

0 Comments

 
Christianity has become a soft, timid religion. We are more concerned about winning arguments, political debates, and convincing people that their beliefs are wrong. We are focused on the wrong target. As a result, we have lost our effectiveness and have become a joke. 
 
Many Christians are afraid to stand up and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God and eternal life is only possible through Him. Yet, Jesus said:
 
    John 14:6 – Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no 
    one goes to the Father except by me. (NIV)

 
And:
 
    Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and 
    broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But 
    small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 
    (NIV)

 

He seems to be saying, repeatedly and clearly, that there are not many ways to heaven, but One. So, Christians needs to stand and proclaim for all to hear that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. This is not done to win a debate, but to change an eternal destination.
 
However, we are timid and fearful that we might offend someone or someone might become upset that we are not more tolerant of their beliefs. Let me say, simply, this is not an issue of tolerance. I can tolerate your beliefs just fine. I just can’t sit back and let you think that you are right or that it doesn’t matter. I do not need to convince you that you are wrong, but introduce you to the One that is THE TRUTH so that deception can melt away. It is critically important that the light of truth shine. There is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.
 
    2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a Spirit of fear; but of power and of 
    love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)

 
    John 14:15-17 – If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask 
    the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you 
    forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot 
    receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, 
    because he remains with you and is in you. (NIV)

Jesus left us to return to the Father. He did not do this out of selfish gain. In fact, it was just the opposite. He had to leave us so that we could receive His Spirit, One that would never leave us and would always remain with us. The Spirit is given so that we can carry out the mission Jesus gave just before ascending into heaven:

    Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All 
    authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and 
    make disciple of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father 
    and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
    commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
    (NIV)
 
The only way to accomplish this mission is to proclaim the truth in love and grace. We are not to demean or belittle to win a debate; we are to encourage and lift people up pointing them to the Lover of their soul. We are to introduce them to the only One that can give them eternal life! Then, we can welcome them into the family to become part of the body. No arguments. No debates; just faith, hope, and love.
 
    1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But 
    the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
 
    1 John 4:16 – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is 
    love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (NIV)

Happy New Year!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Ben's deepest passion is to help people find life and hope through a deeply intimate relationship with God. He is committed to helping men lead their families, churches, businesses and communities. He is a pastor, certified Balanced Scorecard Master Professional, and has an advanced certification in Christian life coaching. He uses his skills associated with strategic planning/execution, continuous quality improvement and life coaching to provide hope to at-risk juveniles and their families. By helping them change their life course by making better choices, the church thrives! Be also provides executive coaching, individual mentoring/ discipleship, and retreat facilitation. As a former United States Marine, Ben is passionate about helping current service members, veterans, at-risk youth, and ministry leaders experience the abundant life available only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Ben understands the many demands associated with balancing faith, family and career.

    Ben is married to his beautify wife, Sandy, and is the father of three children, ages 17, 14 and 8. He enjoys jogging, skiing, camping, and other family activities. He serves as
    the President and ministry leader for Encounter Jesus Inc.

    Archives

    September 2014
    April 2014
    August 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    #EJChallenge
    Encounter Jesus
    Hearing God's Voice
    Personal Prayer
    Spirit Living
    The Power Of God

    RSS Feed