| We can know! by Norman Childs |
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Come Let Us Reason Together Come Let Us Reason Together Have you noticed that today it’s okay to talk about almost anything? It’s socially acceptable now to talk about body parts, personal hygiene, the sexual conduct of teenagers, homosexuality etc. But in many circles it is not proper to discuss the subject of Christianity? Many of our neighbors talk hours on end, about sports but when the subject of God and salvation comes up, they disappear! POLITENESS demands that we do to others as we would want them to do for us, that is, we need to listen as much as we speak. We can understand why a non-Christian would shy away from a conversation regarding things he knows little about, but why do most Christians do the same thing? I am convinced that many of those who come to my door, offering literature on some religious subject, are completely wrong, but that is no excuse to be rude and slam the door in their faces. God told us to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15). PRIORITIES: Many people say they just don’t have the time to discuss the Bible with others. Jesus showed, by his example, that the top priority is the opportunity that is at hand. He said, “And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:27). And when the Canaanite woman came to him he healed her even though his primary objective was to teach the lost sheep of Israel (Matt 15:22-28). Both incidents show that we have a greater responsibility to those who ask, than we do to those who do not ask. Ben Franklin stated this biblical principle clearly when he said, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” HE IS A CHRISTIAN SO WHY BOTHER? Some people feel that once a person becomes a Christian we have no more responsibility to him. When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollis preaching they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:2). This approved example shows us that we do have a responsibility to reason with everyone. HE’S NOT A CHRISTIAN SO HE CAN’T REASON: Some people refuse to reason with others because they think it would be a waste of time. Phil Miller, in his book, Soul Winning, said, “People need Jesus before they can understand scripture, so ask them to receive Jesus before giving them scripture… Sharing spiritual truths with someone can only happen after they have received Jesus. Trying to tell someone spiritual things before they are born again is like trying to feed a dead horse—they don’t eat much and digest nothing.” Again, God said, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” Rom 10:17-18. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Rom 10:14-15). We must be taught before we can receive Jesus. Jesus and all the apostles showed by their life that we must reason with all those who will reason with us. NOTICE THE EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL: · “As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” (Acts 17:2-3). · “So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and thE God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there,” (Acts 17:17). · “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks,” (Acts 18:4). “And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reason in and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God… reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:8, 9). BUT I DON’T WANT TO START AN ARGUMENT. Many of us become very emotional when we talk about spiritual things. If you find it difficult to carry on a calm discussion with others, on spiritual subjects, allow me to suggest two ways to handle this problem. 1. Each person should have one hour to defend his position. During this time the other should try hard not to defend but to understand the other person’s point of view. 2. Carry on the discussion VIA snail mail. This allows each person time to study all the passages and rationally state his reasons for holding his view. NO AX TO GRIND: Christians should have no personal axes to grind. Our responsibility is simply to understand what God wants, live it, and teach it. If you have an understanding of the Scriptures that I do not have, I would be foolish not to listen to you. If I have found some golden nuggets in the Scriptures that you have not, you would be foolish not to listen to me. “The Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 The word reason means to justify with reasons, to discuss, to take up a conversation, talk together, exchange of ideas. God said, “Come now, let us reason together,” Isaiah 1:18. “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26-27. I invite you to reason with me about the most important subject in the world, —God’s will for our lives. Is my soul worth your time? Now please click on "Hosea #1" Or "What is Hell Like?" Or "When The Heavenly Grandstand stands." |
Twenty Four Parts To Salvation
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