Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Found finding the Finder?

"I found God." An all too common phrase used by Christians to express several feelings of accomplishment. They may be implying that they completed certain deeds that brought them closer to God, that they went on a metaphorical journey or that they denied themselves certain pleasures-applied a discipline. Sometimes converts will also use this cliche to speak of a new life choice. Although it might be a pet peeve of mine and a fun satirical endeavor to dissect this cliche, I believe there is also slight danger for those who ascribe too deeply to such a notion of the Found finding the Finder.

Is God lost? Where was God hiding? You found God? Oh, how dedicated and profound your detective skills must be (tongue in cheek). Isn't it we who were lost then found?

For God in his search, looking out from the most high with all advantage, saw us before we were born and recovered all creation with a vicarious sacrifice. Thus, the Found benefited from an action that was not their own and were given access due to the Finder's will and grace.



    The modern evangelist's philosophy is rooted in the saying "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

    The apostle Peter preach the first gospel sermon on the Day of Pentecost 33A.D.. Did the three thousand converts shut up their ears until they knew how much Peter cared?

    Peter preached Jesus as a miracle worker. (Acts 2:22)
    Peter preached Jesus crucified and put to death. (Acts 2:23)
    Peter preached Jesus resurrected from the grave. (Acts 2:24)
    Peter preached Jesus ascended into heaven. (Acts 2:33-34)

    Peter told the three thousand that they had crucified Jesus. (Acts 2:36) Is that when the three thousand understood how much Peter cared and started to believe his preaching?

    What was their reaction? (Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles. "Men and brethren, what shall we Do?)(NKJV) Were they cut to the heart because they realized how much Peter cared or were they cut to the heart because the apostle Peter was preaching the gospel truth?

    What was Peter's answer? (Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for there mission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.) (NKJV)

    Peter preached the complete gospel on the Day of Pentecost. FAITH John 3:16 CONFESSION Romans 10:9 REPENTANCE AND WATER BAPTISM Acts 2:38.

    Simply showing how much you care is not TANTAMOUNT TO PREACHING THE GOSPEL TRUTH.

    Men who preach men are saved if they sincerely believe a lie are showing they care, but they are not preaching a gospel that saves.

    Men who preach you can have your sins forgiven without being baptized in water, care, however, that preaching cannot save anyone.

    Men who preach salvation apart from believing in Jesus, care, but that preaching cannot save anyone.

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    1. "Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can these things be?" John 3:7-9

      There are scriptures that make us feel salvation is a call and response. As you have noted, some make it seem it is about caring in conjunction with confession and belief. As I have shown, it can be as profound as The Spirit doing its bidding, the wind blowing, the nature of God doing what it wants.

      I tend to think these are not always opposing views. However, I don't limit salvation to the works of a good sermon, the tactics of a good ministry etc., There will always be the X-factor of the Holy Spirit, making contact and changing hearts in the oddest of places, the spontaneous of times.