One thing that really bothers me is people who run around telling people “Jesus Loves You” and that’s all they say. Let me try and open this thought up a little so there is no confusion about what I mean her.
The Bible teaches the preaching (witnessing) of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1Cor.1:18). The sinner does not fear God nor love God (Romans 1:18-25). The Bible tells us people are dead, slaves, foolish and disobedient in their sins (Eph. 2:1-3 - Titus 3:3).
Therefore, if all a person does is use the “Jesus Loves You” quote, it does no good. Again sinners could careless if Jesus loves them. They do not understand Christ, His death, why He had to die, the glory of the cross, etc…
Now I do not mean we should never tell people Jesus loves them. But when we start speaking of Christ’ love it must be in direct contrast to the cross and what happened on the cross. If a person does not understand the cross, the love of Christ is going to be foolishness to them. Let’s quickly look at what the Bible says about God’s love towards sinners. I’ve bolded some keys words that really cannot be left out when speaking of God’s love.
(Romans 5:6-11)
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Ray Comfort uses a great anagoly on his HBKS teaching. If you want to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep - you are not going to shine a FLASHLIGHT in their face. That would offend them and cause the person to be mad, grumpy and unwilling to here what you have to say. No, to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep you would be better served to slowly start turning the light on like a light dimmer.
First use the law (10 commandments) to bring the knowledge of sin (in a loving way), and then turn on the Light of the gospel.
Jesus does love sinners (Romans 5:8), but if the sinner does not understand his sin, they will not understand His love.
Therefore, if all a person does is use the “Jesus Loves You” quote, it does no good. Again sinners could careless if Jesus loves them. They do not understand Christ, His death, why He had to die, the glory of the cross, etc…
Now I do not mean we should never tell people Jesus loves them. But when we start speaking of Christ’ love it must be in direct contrast to the cross and what happened on the cross. If a person does not understand the cross, the love of Christ is going to be foolishness to them. Let’s quickly look at what the Bible says about God’s love towards sinners. I’ve bolded some keys words that really cannot be left out when speaking of God’s love.
(Romans 5:6-11)
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Ray Comfort uses a great anagoly on his HBKS teaching. If you want to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep - you are not going to shine a FLASHLIGHT in their face. That would offend them and cause the person to be mad, grumpy and unwilling to here what you have to say. No, to wake someone from a deep, deep sleep you would be better served to slowly start turning the light on like a light dimmer.
First use the law (10 commandments) to bring the knowledge of sin (in a loving way), and then turn on the Light of the gospel.
Jesus does love sinners (Romans 5:8), but if the sinner does not understand his sin, they will not understand His love.
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