On the Purpose of God's Word . . . Why do we read?

[Esquire]

Right before Robert found us this new home, I posted a piece written by George McDonald who was a friend and contemporary of JR Tolkien.

In light of some of the theological disputations that have arisen in these here parts, :) (and as arise almost anywhere christians from different denominations are gathered), I thought I'd post it again.

As you know, I like to use my brain and defend christian theology on intellectual grounds. At the same time, McDonald has something to say that I need desperately to hear. Perhaps I'm not alone.

What is your take on the following?

To let their light shine, not to force on them their interpretations of God's designs, is the duty of Christians toward their fellows. If you who set yourselves to explain the theory of Christianity, had set yourselves instead to do the will of the master, the one object for which the Gospel was preached to you, how different would now be the condition of that portion of the world with which you come into contact!

Had you given yourselves to the understanding of his word that you might do it, and not to the quarrying from it material wherewith to buttress your systems, in many a heart by this time would the name of the Lord be loved where it now remains unknown. The word of life would then by you have been held out indeed.

Men, undeterred by your explanations of Christianity - for you would not be forcing on them their acceptance - and attracted by your behavior, would be saying to each other, as Moses said to himself when he saw the bush that burned with fire and was not consumed, "I will turn aside and see this great sight!"

They would be drawing nigh to behold how these Christians loved one another, and how just and fair they were to everyone that had to do with them! to note that their goods were the best, their weight surest, their prices most reasonable, their word most certain! that in their families was neither jealousy nor emulation! that their children were as diligently taught to share, as some are to save, or to lay out only upon self - their mothers more anxious lest a child should hoard than lest he should squander; that in no house of theirs was religion one thing, and the daily life another.

[Camp Cook]

Thanks Esquire, for sharing what I needed to hear.

John 12:32 talks about if Christ is lifted up, it will draw men to Him. (my paraphrase :) ) I know this is talking about Him being lifted up on the cross but I think the meaning is much deeper. We need to lift Him up daily in our walk. People need to see HIM in us. I really believe I we live our life that way, God brings people into our path.

I have been reading on another site the last couple of days on "evangelism" & how the "church" when evengelism is done, is more confrontational. by that I mean, confronting complete strangers with a tract, or some new "tool" & most typically "if you die tonight, where would you spend eternity" question. I am not saying that is wrong but the relational makes more sense to me. Living your life as if you were on a mission...to draw men & women to Christ.
I am really thinking out loud here...working through some of this myself & would love to hear some thought from others.

[WildmanSC]

A Christian is one of two things. He/she is a body, just like any other person, or he/she is a mirror/window through which the image of Christ can be reflected. A person to whom we are trying to witness will not care to hear about Jesus unless he/she first sees the image Christ reflected through us and our daily lives.

Sadly, they will sometimes see us, and other times they will see him. When we are living in our own strength, in the carnal flesh, they will see us. And frankly, it is not a very pretty sight to behold. When we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit, they will see the image of Christ in our lives. Oh what a wonderous beauty to behold! Not US, but rather HIM!! :amen: :amen: :amen:

Bill L

[Esquire]

I was re-reading this passage from George Macdonald, and it was a good reminder to me of how I should be.

[recurve1]

I need to pnder on that one myself. Thanks. Esquire.

[Sam Dunham]

Yep I always need to be humbled. I am not humble, but need to at least try to be. I ask my Dad about being humble one day. He told me that if a man says he is, chances are he is not.:)

[WillieB]

Yes we must practice what we preach but don't forget that the Word of God is what reaches the soul and brings repentance and belief, by the Holy Spirit's working.

"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? Romans 10:14

The Lord Jesus went about doing good and He preached repentance and the Kingdom of God. We are to do good works and speak up as well. Some of His words to His disciples after He was risen from the dead were "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47

Yes we should show the Lord Jesus in ours lives, it's absolutely necessary, and so is using the Scriptures at the appropriate time, it's absolutely necessary as well.

[Snag in Oregon]

One of the great commands is to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." But the way we do this is in His Spirit, not by ours. This is a great responsibility of ours. Whether your testimony is your life and how people see you, or if it is being lead by His Spirit to share the gospel it is with His prompting and guidance. This said, we are mere humans who make mistakes and are prideful at times. So, I find I need to be mindful of not putting myself out there and to seek His wisdom and guidance and prompting...not always successful...but I am trying. It is a continual santification isn't it?

[sromero]

I give a big amen.....Last night I was driving home after church and heard this it really stuck out and made me think....How many Christians live like atheist?....How many of us so called Christians's are following God?.....or are we just pretending?......how many people have we told about God lately?....and don't say we don't get a chance.....He puts someone in front of us daily.....better yet something real easy how many have we invited to church or worship lately?......people as a rule just don't come up and ask can I go to church with you Sunday?....Remember God works though his people we may be the only Jesus someone ever see's....keeping Him first......Scott

[Snag in Oregon]

That is our challenge. To be mindful of those around us. To look for "faith flags". A man once told be people who have a hole in their world because they don't have Jesus Christ in their life will ask for help. Sometimes they do it verbally. Maybe they say, "Boy this world is really coming apart" or "Some days I can hardly get out of bed because there isn't anything worth getting for"....these are faith flags. This is for us as believers to step forward and reach out...like Jesus reaching out to the lepers. Not that they are lepers! Didn't mean that! There was no one else that would reach out and heal them in the way that only Jesus could heal them. We could say something like "I know just what you mean. This world is getting more and more difficult to deal with. I found it impossible to deal with until I found Jesus. You know there is a God and we have been separated from Him because of our sin. But He loved us so much he sent His Son Jesus to take on our sin and cleanse us through his blood on the cross as only He could. He wants to renew His relationship with us. So, it is up to each of us who hear this, the "good news", to react to it...." I find that if you keep yourself out of it, not going into a long account of your life and how you came to Jesus, and just keep it between them and God it is more powerful and will pierce their hearts directly. Just keep looking for those faith flags and when He prepares you and leads you to that person be ready to step forward in the cause of Christ in this world! He has prepared your heart and mind for His purpose. Thank you Lord! He will never leave you or forsake you. Isn't it a wonder promise? It is a challenge. But a faith without challenges is a stale faith. I want to grow in my faith, in trusting in the Lord as step out with Him in His purpose for me.

[grhoon]

Before people want to hear what you believe, they want to see how what you believe works in your life. Jesus boiled it down to two commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. If we do these things, we don't have to preach, we just have to live.

[grhoon]

We read God's word because it comes alive in us. Putting God's word into our minds is like planting good seed in good ground: good things happen. Many people, ministers and theologians in particular, spend so much time reading about God's word they lose sight of the real thing. Scripture builds faith (Romans 6:17); it teaches us about God and prepares us for life (2 Tim 3:16); it prepares us for things yet to come (Mark 13"23). If we base our every part of our lives on God's word, we will be able to stand strong in any situation (Matthew 7:23 ...)

[Esquire]

Before people want to hear what you believe, they want to see how what you believe works in your life. Jesus boiled it down to two commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. If we do these things, we don't have to preach, we just have to live.

Good call, Grhoon.

St Francis of Assisi said something like: "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words!"

BTW, welcome to Tradtalk!

Mike

[Bowbender Mike]

Good thread, nice to find fellowship and encouragement here.