Category Archives: f) Apologetics, & Interpretations

Observations and perspectives on interesting, controversial, confusing, or troubling concepts in the word of God.

Expect a Life of Trouble

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My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work (effect), that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing. James 1:2-4

Life with Christ isn’t free of trouble. You’ll still face trials that often cause emotional or physical pain, misery, grief, or suffering. The difference is attitude, resolve, and response will be rooted in Christian principles and character.

God tests us with difficult times to build endurance and strengthen our faith. Testing fosters maturity and shapes us to be more like Christ. Trials humble us, deepen our reliance on God, and reveal the state of our faith. The true depth of an untested Christian’s conviction is often unknown, even to themselves. Untested faith may be no faith at all, but faith that has endured and blossomed in adversity is a very precious thing to possess.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

James encourages us to face life’s trials with calm, confident competence, steady in the face of challenges. We can do this when we trust that God is in control and that he works everything together for our ultimate good. With him, we can successfully navigate trials and become a strong testimony to his perfect will. Conversely, a person without faith is often driven by emotions like anger, fear, or distrust. They tend to respond with self-serving, expedient solutions that prioritize their own interests.

We trust that our heavenly Father will lead and protect us, allowing us to face each day with joy and gratitude. Those who live without Christ are left to navigate life on their own. For them, enduring trials may help build character, but there is no benefit beyond the grave. For Christians, trials provide opportunities to serve God and demonstrate our peace through faith in Christ to the world.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Effective Evangelism

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What is Evangelism?

Evangelism is sharing the “good news” of Jesus Christ, namely that he is God incarnate, that he was crucified in substitutional atonement for your sins, that his resurrection from the dead validated his deity and the efficacy of his atonement for your sins, and that those who believe this will be forgiven, saved from eternal damnation, and reconciled to God. The hope of evangelism is that others come to believe and accept God’s offer of salvation. 

Why Evangelize?

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:4-5

The Bible clearly states that those who are saved and adopted were chosen by God before the foundation of the world. So, why are we commanded to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others? What difference does that make? The answer is the impact on the evangelist as well as on the souls “won” for Christ.

First, evangelism is the method of fulfilling God’s will to save lost souls. God’s elect come to saving faith by hearing the message of salvation. This places the responsibility on believers to share with those who do not yet believe, including those who never will.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:14-15

Secondly, we obey God’s commands. Jesus commanded us to teach everyone and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This means making disciples, which is the primary responsibility of believers.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

If evangelizing is a command from God, then neglecting to share what we know and failing to defend the hope within us is disobedience. It is the sin of omission, as James tells us.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

 Thirdly, we live to glorify God, and what better way than to proclaim his mercy, grace, and love to the world.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that if we follow him, he will make us fishers of men. So, how is this done? What follows is what I have seen and believe to be a reasonable approach that aligns with my personality, intellect, and interpersonal skills. Your approach may differ, as you may have skills that I do not. The goal here is to define a methodology that I believe would be effective and boost my conviction, enthusiasm, and, consequently, zealous execution.

What I commonly hear is an approach that sounds like a cold-call sales technique for engaging the public. Some condense the message into a clever acrostic to remember, start with a hook like “If I could tell you how to go to heaven, would you be interested?” hand out a pamphlet with cartoons preaching the gospel, or quote some key verses, and wait for the miracle of salvation to happen. These might work; many use them, but I have never seen them produce a positive response. This is not to say they don’t work; I just haven’t seen it. Approaching strangers with a canned presentation makes me uncomfortable. I feel that this method, attempted by someone with my traits, might seem scripted and be counterproductive.

So, here are my thoughts on the elements of a method that would constitute an effective evangelistic style for me, maybe for you as well.

Preparation

Be confident in God’s power to save.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17

Be confident and bold when sharing the good news of Jesus. Trust in God’s power, and don’t worry about the outcome; it is God who saves, not you. Your goal is to deliver the message and leave the work to the Holy Spirit.

Live your life so that it is a positive testimony to the perfect will of God.

Our evangelistic effort is credible when we strive to live a holy life, but it becomes discredited when unrepentant sin is present, making us no different from those chasing worldly things. Your goal is to be asked why your life is different – different in a good way – because your Christian character shines through in a higher quality of living. Keep your conscience clear so you can witness sincerely.

Pray for doors to be opened.

Pray that God provides you with the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus. Also, pray that God grants you the wisdom to recognize when such an opportunity arises.

The most fruitful encounters happen during conversations with people you have some kind of relationship with. When someone is struggling, shows openness or curiosity, or asks questions, then a ripe opportunity is in your lap. Forced encounters are seldom productive.

Be alert and ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ whenever the opportunity presents itself. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you, and remember that staying silent when you should share the message is a sin.

You can recognize a closed door by disinterest or hostility. Most likely, a hard heart won’t be receptive. Don’t cast your pearls before swine.

Be prepared, kind, humble, and respectful.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1st Peter 3:15

You should understand what the Bible says before you try to tell others. This is one of the best reasons to stay immersed in the Word. A godly character combined with a strong knowledge of the Scriptures will make an effective and powerful evangelist. How blessed is the person who provides God with a capable resource to reach the lost!

Your demeanor as a representative of God should be humble, kind, respectful, and engaging. Avoid attitudes that repel – judgment, condescension, threats, pious superiority, insincerity, excessive enthusiasm, and so on. Be mindful that you might lose those you offend. Do not show off your zeal for the faith or serve a religious ego. Your goal is to say, “come and see,” not “stay away!” Therefore, share the message with genuine love and hope, trusting God to handle the rest.

Delivery

Have a Discussion, not a Monologue.

When God opens a door, ask about their life and show genuine interest in their situation. Build rapport if possible, then ask a question to gauge their openness, such as “What do you think happens after you die?” or “Do you believe that God exists?” If they are not available, then leave it alone. If there is any interest or curiosity, your response might be a firm, confident claim, such as “I know that there is life after death” or “I know that there is a God.” They will surely ask, “How do you know?” Then you’re off to the races.

Start an impromptu discussion by sharing what God’s Word has taught you about the good news of Jesus Christ, Heaven and Hell, Salvation, and the purpose of our time here on earth.

Share how Christ has transformed your life, including the new priorities, attitudes, and motives that now influence your thoughts and actions. Be sure to speak to the fundamental elements of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

  • No one is righteous enough on their own merits to make it into Heaven.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God  Romans 3:23

  • Therefore, everyone needs a savior because the penalty for sin is eternal separation from God, to exist in Hell.
  • A just God requires atonement for every unrighteous act, and thankfully, Jesus has paid the price for your sins through his death on the cross.
  • Faith in Jesus leads to salvation and reconciliation with God.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

  • Acceptance of this gift from God is as simple as belief, and as serious as putting your old self to death.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10.

Encourage them to think about what they have heard.

Let them know you’re available any time to talk about this.

Suggest that they read the Bible. It would be wonderful if you could give them one! Recommend they start with John, then Romans, then 1st Peter, and Colossians. Provide them with a list of scriptures to look up. The power of God’s Word is astounding. If you can, close with these two verses:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.  John 3:36

Pray for God to turn his or her heart to him.

The Commandments

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The commandments God gave Moses in the Old Testament, along with more than 600 other rules and regulations, govern Jewish conduct. In Judaism, following these laws shows how the chosen people are expected to behave. Notably, Jews are less concerned with the punishment of eternal damnation; instead, they focus on their actions in this life rather than the afterlife. There is no requirement of perfect righteousness to enter what they consider Heaven; they just need to do their best.

In contrast, Christianity provides a clearer understanding of what is necessary to avoid Hell and enter Heaven. Through the new covenant with God (the New Testament), we learn that no one is capable of obeying all the commandments all the time; therefore, we depend on Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, which provides forgiveness of sins, credits his righteousness to believers, and justifies them before God.

The primary commandments guiding our behavior are summarized here, but it’s important to understand that the full range of commandments and teachings extends beyond what is shown. Make reading the word of God a daily priority to deepen your understanding of his will and what he expects from you.

Number One – Love God

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  Mark 12:30

The first and most important commandment clearly tells us to love God above all else. We are called to love him fully, with our whole being, putting him before everything else.

The word “love” can mean many things. In this context, it refers to love expressed through will, actions, dedication, commitment, and purpose. It comes from our gratitude for his mercy (the forgiveness of sins) and his saving grace, which make us heirs to his kingdom (our justification), as well as our humble respect (the fear of God) for who he is. Loving God in this way results in obedience to his will; if you love God, you will keep his commandments. This love is not based on feelings, friendship, or adherence to religious rituals.

It is crucial to understand that God takes this commandment seriously. It is a directive, not a suggestion. In the verse below, Moses tells the Jews about God’s intolerance toward those who reject his commands and love other gods (idols) of the world.

Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 6:14-15

Solomon tells us in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” While fear is a starting point, it is through love that wisdom is fully realized. Those who love God and obey his commands will immerse themselves in his word, remain in his presence, and discover his wisdom.

Number Two – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:39

The second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. Unlike our love of obedience to our Heavenly Father, this commandment emphasizes love as an act of service. We are called to love others as Jesus loved us. This includes qualities such as patience, tolerance, humility, service, support, encouragement, and edification. It is free from envy, coveting, arrogance, and self-serving attitudes.

This love isn’t just an emotion; it’s shown through our attitude, actions, and deeds. We’re not asked to like others, but to love them! When we interact with others, including those we might see as enemies, we should strive to treat them as Jesus would. Always remember to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12

No Idolatry

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:3-6

Idolatry is defined as loving anything more than God. The priorities we establish in our lives reveal what we idolize, and the things we idolize are those we ultimately serve. If you prioritize money, power, career, pleasure, sex, status, family, sports, entertainment, material possessions, or even religion above God, then those become your idols. Enjoy God’s blessings, but remember to serve only him, and beware of the temptation to turn good things in life into evil, sinful pursuits.

Do Not Commit Adultery

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

Lust was a stumbling block for David, Samson, and many others in the Bible. Adultery is common today, and it has wrecked many lives. Lust remains one of Satan’s most powerful tools to lead us astray.

Do Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

If there is a proper fear of God, this is not a problem. Using his name as an expletive or in any disrespectful or irreverent way dishonors and trivializes him. It is interesting to notice that for thousands of years, humanity has often disparaged God’s name. The long-standing tendency to profane his name is a sad confirmation of his existence and shows that society, as a whole, has no respect for or fear of God.d.

Do Not Murder, Steal, or Lie

Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:13 & 15-16

This is basic stuff. We learned it in kindergarten, except for the murder part—we learned about that later, by watching TV. Although these commands should be simple to follow, they are broken every day.

Do Not Covet

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Exodus 20:17

To covet means to have a strong, wrongful desire to possess something. Covetousness stems from the motives, desires, and attractions of the heart. It represents an excessive love that elevates good things to the status of ultimate things. In this sense, covetousness is a form of idolatry because it directs our desires toward things other than God. This commandment emphasizes that we should love the Lord our God above everything else.

Coveting is the root of many sins. Adultery, lying, stealing, and even murder are often caused by covetousness. You cannot truly love your neighbors if you desire what they have. Overcoming covetousness requires a change of heart, which can only happen through the help of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, pray for his assistance in freeing you from worldly desires and strive for holiness; otherwise, your life may be ruined.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:14-15