Why is the law of the Lord perfect in converting the soul?

Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect in converting the soul."

Psalm 19 gives us some insight into why God's law is used to revive someone's life. The law (the Ten Commandments) makes those who are simple to become wise--it enlightens one's eyes to fear the Lord! God's commandments are true, right, and enduring. The law is used to discern the error of our ways as the psalmist explains. The apostle Paul put it this way in Romans 7:7: "Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." As a result, the law stops a sinners mouth from justifying himself before God. Romans 3:19-20 informs us that the law stops our mouths from justifying ourselves, leaves us helpless and guilty before a holy God, brings the knowledge of sin by defining it for us, and points us to the Savior! "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

I love what Charles Spurgeon said concerning the Ten Commandments in regards to the use of the law in evangelism:

"But more, there is war between thee and God's Law. The Ten Commandments are against thee. The first comes forward and says, "Let him be cursed, for he denies Me. He has another god besides Me, his god is his belly, he yieldeth homage to his lust." All the Ten Commandments, like ten great cannons, are pointed at thee today, for you have broken all God's statutes, and lived in daily neglect of all His commands. Soul! thou wilt find it a hard thing to go to war with the Law . . .What will ye do when the Law comes in terror, when the trumpet of the archangel shall tear you from your grave, when the eyes of God shall burn their way into your guilty soul, when the great books shall be opened, and all your sin and shame shall be punished?"

God's law has its appropriate place. It's not used as a moral ladder to climb yourself into heaven. It can't be done! You will never be good enough to earn or merit forgiveness from God--no matter how hard you try--your efforts are futile and an insult to God's holiness. Picture yourself in an earthly courtroom, all the evidence is laid out--you are guilty! You have been sentenced with a $100,000 fine or time in prison. You don't have the money, so you are handcuffed and led off to jail. All of a sudden, the Judge speaks up, "Hold that young man there!" The Judge steps down from his judgment seat and walks over to you and pulls out a checkbook and writes in a $100,000. He says to you, "I've just paid your fine, you are free to go!" You see, that makes sense in light of the fact that you broke the law and that there was a consequence to it.

If we go around telling people that they need Jesus without taking the time to show them why they need Jesus, that they have offended God by breaking his law, they will not come to Jesus with the right motives. They will come seeking an improved life of health, wealth, happiness, and an easy life. But the Bible promises persecutions, trials, and temptations--and peace in Jesus, knowing that you're saved from God's wrath. You see, the law makes us realize that God's wrath against our sin is just, and that we actually do deserve to be punished in hell for eternity. This bad news about the law makes the good news of Jesus make sense! He paid our fine!

In closing, hear the words of Dr. Martin Loyd-Jones:

"A gospel which merely says, 'Come to Jesus,' and offers Him as a friend, and offers a marvelous new life, without convincing of sin, is not New Testament evangelism. (The essence of evangelism is to start by preaching the Law; and it is because the Law has not been preached that we have had so much superficial evangelism.) True evangelism... must always start by preaching the law."

Learning from Call Centers

How can we learn from call centers?

I'm not talking about a call center where agents simply dial up numbers and read a piece of paper asking you for a donation. No, I'm referring to a troubleshooting call center. One in which call agents know their products in and out thoroughly. It's very interesting seeing these people in action, but more specifically their training. The training I have seen consists of a new agent learning the products through specially prepared training manuals, lectures, listening in on conversations and watching other agents talk with customers, and role playing. Even after the initial training is complete, the agents continue to craft their abilities to deliver a correct diagnosis and give a solution to their wearied customers.

Why should the training of a Christian be less? It shouldn't. Learning to share the gospel should be a priority whether or not you are called to be an evangelist. I personally believe the best way for a new Christian to learn how to biblically share the gospel is to first listen to a message titled "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfortand Kirk Cameron. Doing so will give you an understanding between the modern false gospel presentation and the correct biblical presentation of the gospel (using the law to drive sinners to Christ). This is the message that God used to light a fire in me to spread the fame of Jesus! WARNING -- The same may happen to you!

Thanksgiving Gospel Tracts

Why should people be thankful? Well, for one reason God has been very gracious and generous to us and in particular toward this nation. This tract uses Thanksgiving as a springboard into the gospel! Take the opportunity this holiday to share with others why everyone should be thankful.

Can you name the ten commandments?

Can you name the ten commandments?

1. God is first
2. You're not allowed to make idols
3. You're not allowed to take God's name in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day; you must rest in Christ
5. Honor your parents
6. You're not allowed murder; don't hate
7. You're not allowed to commit adultery; don't lust
8. You're not allowed to steal
9. You're not allowed to lie
10. You're not allowed to covet


If you could not already name them before you read the list, you need to hide them in your heart. Go ahead, try to name them without looking at the list. Were you able to do it? The ten commandments are a great tool given to us by God to show the unbeliever that he or she cannot cling to his or her "good" works, but must forsake their sin and trust in the goodness of the savior Jesus!


Romans 3:19-20
"Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."


Mr. Perfect: I'm a great person; I pay my taxes, help my neighbors, and go to church.
Evangelist: That's wonderful but have you kept God's law?

Mr. Perfect: Yep.
Evangelist: Let's go through a few of the commandments and make sure. The 9th commandment is you should not lie. Have you ever told a lie . . .

Every Area of Life



Source

For the past 100 years or so, especially for Christianity in fundamental circles, the trend is to withdraw from the world as if God is not concerned about it--but that God is only concerned about "Christian" things (e.g. church, evangelism, gospel music, religious activities, etc.). And if it is not a direct religious activity, somehow the thought is that the activity must be converted to be overtly "Christian" in nature. This is a great misconception. Resulting from this thinking is a view that promulgates escapism, leaving other areas of life that belong under God's domain in the control of unbelievers. Below is a snippet from a blog post that brings out an interesting point about the Christian life:

Van Til once said that if there were one place on creation's radio dial where nonbelievers could tune in and not hear God, that is where everybody would have their radio set, all the time. His point was of course that God broadcasts, all the time, on every channel. But often, believers make a similar mistake, that of thinking that God broadcasts on only one channel, and then they do their level pious best to keep their radio tuned to that one channel. But then the time comes when the rest of your family and friends tire of hearing the Haven of Rest Quartet 24-7, and so life elsewhere begins to wither and dry up. And sanctifying the rest of the channels does not consist of making them into "religious broadcasting."

Click here for the full article on Piperian Hedonism 3.0

It never fails to amaze me

God's omniscience and sovereignty never fail to amaze me, neither should it you! A few weeks ago we were evangelizing at a festival, and as I was wrapping up an open air a young man walks up and stands in front of me. Mockingly he points and laughs, he waves to his friends and gets them to join in on the foolish gesturing. I pointed back at the teenager and proclaimed "You ought to be ashamed of your self. You ought to be ashamed of your self! Your parents raised you better than that. I pray that this same gospel message you mock, that you would one day preach it!" The young guy turns and walks away in a laughing manner with his followers.

About 5 minutes pass and as I was standing next to a friend--we were chatting--that same young guy who mocked ferociously when I was speaking about Jesus came walking towards me with a friend. This time he wasn't mocking. He apologized to me and said that he was wrong for doing what he did. I asked him his name, he responded "Christian."

Ironic huh? This little glimpse in time is just one instance of God revealing his omniscience and sovereignty. God knew exactly what this young man needed to hear, and God controlled my mouth to say it.

Canned Gospel Presentations

Some Christians are adamantly opposed to canned gospel presentations but I stand in defense of them. Of course I don't support all canned messages, especially ones that are void of God's Law and Jesus as the all sufficient savior.

Christians must learn how to share the gospel clearly and effectively. I think the Way of the Master is an excellent starting point for Christians to learn the gospel message in preparation for sharing it with others. Sharing the gospel takes practice, just like anything else; pastors who deliver good messages go over their sermons many times. Why shouldn't the Christian who's going to share the gospel with someone, practice what he or she is going to say? Having some points to go by, how you're going to get into the conversation, how you're going to bring up God's standard of righteousness, the sinner's imperfection, Christ's perfection, repentance and faith . . .and so on. Practice, practice, practice.

A canned message gives direction during the conversation and gives confidence to the one sharing the message. Don't miss what I'm saying. Canned messages that present the gospel clearly are simply a foundation for a believer to encourage them to share the gospel. It's a starting point. And as a Christian grows and shares his or her faith more, a canned message is tweaked and crafted for different situations.