Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Loss of Gospel Power
If the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), why then does it often seem powerless? There is certainly nothing in the gospel itself, which is diminished or weakened over time. But we must sadly confess that our hearts often grow cold and lifeless to its power. I have drifted in and out of this state for some time now. I continually remind myself that the gospel is powerful and it is the only means of hope, the only means of salvation. But all too often I am not convicted, challenged and encouraged by its message.
I came across a good answer to this question in an unlikely place. I have been reading Paul Little’s classic work on evangelism entitled, How to Give Away Your Faith. At one point he is discussing how our lack of evangelism and withdrawing from it actually produces spiritual harm. When we do not share the gospel we often stifle ourselves spiritually. He writes, “When we see no evidence of [the Gospel's] redemptive power, the gospel begins to seem less real” (24). When we fail to see demonstratively the power of the gospel we tend to loose sight of the reality of its power.
We forget what it is like to share Christ with someone. We fail to remember the passion we once had after we accepted Christ, or the passion displayed by new believers. We have forgotten the miracles of the Lord and have traded them in for the mundane. We continue to profess the gospel but we have failed to live it out.
When the gospel looses its power we need to experience it again. We need to feel the nervous excitement of sharing its truths with the lost. We need to feel its power as lives are transformed. We need to see those who are weary and heavy-laden finding rest in Christ. We need to put the gospel into action. We need to revive its power and might before our eyes. We need to witness salvation as from the Lord. May the Lord take our fledgling understanding of his gospel and revive our hearts with its demonstration in our lives and the lives of others – only then will the power of salvation be clearly seen.
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4 comments:
This is a good reminder Will, and it rings true to my own experience. Some of the most joyful experiences of God I've ever had happened at times when I saw the power of the gospel of Christ in the lives of others.
Your post is quite convicting too.
Blessings, brother.
By the way, what did you think of Paul Little's classic?
An interesting point you make. However, isn't it possible to maintain your own faith without evangelizing? I find it hard to believe that our personal faith is dependent on the faith of others. The relationship with God is a very personal one.
Owen, Let me rephrase your question: Can you have vital and growing relationship with Christ without sharing your faith? I must say no. You may still be strong in other areas, but if you don't have a desire to share Christ it shows that he is not that important. Yes, faith in God and his Christ is personal, but it doesn't end there. To just keep your relationship with God between the two of you is spiritual suicide. The necessity of gospel proclamation and evangelism in the Bible is simply overwhelming. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:8ff). We are to make disciples of the nations (Matt. 28:18-20). Christ must be proclaimed (Phil. 1:18). And the list goes on.
However, I just want to note that you are correct to say that our faith is not dependent on the faith of others. It is actually dependent upon Christ and his gospel. Our salvation is secure in Christ. Yet, in its outworking, and our "feeling" it we very much need to share it with others.
Look at it this way. Negatively, with all the commands in Scripture to proclaim Christ and to evangelize to not do so is a sin. Will you grow and be strengthened in your faith while you continue to live in this sin of not obeying God's commands? Positively, it is a pure joy to share Christ with others. It is an encouragement to your faith as you yourself are reminded of the power of the gospel as you share it.
Sharing the gospel is hard, especially for introverts like me. Yet it is a command of God which we must obey and when we do it is a joy to share in the work of God.
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