By William @ http://reformingbaptist.blogspot.com
When we as Christians go about the impossible task of "making disciples" or "soul winning", it is like asking a doctor to give life to a corpse. The task of evangelism is daunting! It is only by the Spirit of God and the Word of God that a disciple is made or a soul is won to Christ. Of course, we are the instruments God uses to be controlled by the Spirit, and to share the Word of God. We are simply seed sowers, nothing more. God is the only one who brings the increase of a converted soul. He uses His moral law as a schoolmaster to drive you to Jesus:
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
When we share the gospel with a sinner, I am learning that we probably shouldn't start with: "Jesus loves you." Of course that is a true statement, but the sinner EXPECTS to be loved because he is self centered and loves himself above anything else. What the sinner needs to understand is his guilt before a Holy God. Now that sounds fundamental enough, but most people will acknowledge that they are sinners...however, the sinner doesn't have a problem with the fact that he's a sinner. In fact, it's the status quo. We need to make him realize the seriousness of his transgression. Jonathan Edwards was a master at this in his preaching. He could make the most upright person see himself as the most vile sinner on earth. Using the Old Testament law to reveal the lost condition in detail is a great way to approach evangelism. If the sinner has no care about his condition, there's no use in continuing with him to tell him the good news. Leave him with the bad news of his guilt before God and that the wrath of God abides on him. He's not ready for the good news until he has been convinced of his condition and wants something to be done about it.
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