Dear Friend,
Usually I start my letter to you talking about an Ambassador skill that enables you to be knowledgeable, winsome, and present wisdom effectively. Here is the twist. Over the years I've become increasingly concerned with one tactic of some well-intentioned ambassadors for Christ: leading a person in the "sinner's prayer." It can be meaningful, but it has a liability.
It goes something like this: "Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins so I could be forgiven. I receive You as my Lord and savior. Thank You for coming into my life. Amen."
The prayer itself is fine. I prayed a version of it in 1973, initiating my own walk with Christ. I've used it since to assist others in expressing their faith for the first time.
On occasion, though, I notice something alarming. When I ask if a particular person is a Christian, the response I hear is, "Well, they prayed the prayer." It's as if the words were magic; if someone just recites them, they're in.
I fear we've inoculated a whole generation of people who got a partial injection of Christianity and are now resistant to the real thing. They prayed the sinner's prayer, got their "fire insurance," and then disappeared, never to be seen again. When confronted with the Gospel anew they shrug, "Been there, done that. Now leave me alone. I have a life to live."
Here's the antidote: The goal of an ambassador should never be getting someone to pray a prayer, but rather to follow Jesus. When we emphasize deciding for Christ instead of living for Him, we often get spiritual miscarriages instead of spiritual births. Our sense of safety can't come from simply saying a prayer.
How, then, do we know if any person truly belongs to Christ? Our confidence comes from three sources.
The first is entirely subjective. Christians have an ineffable awareness that they belong to God. This comes from the witness of the Holy Spirit to our inner man: "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ?Abba! Father!? The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).
John echoes the same thought when he writes, "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit" (1 John 4:13).
Some people put the greatest emphasis on this subjective element, but the Scripture emphasizes it the least. The reason is, I think, because it's the most unreliable. Groups as theologically diverse as Evangelicals, Mormons, Jews, and New Agers lay claim to this confidence. This shows it's possible to have tremendous inner tranquillity even when in extreme danger: They can't all be correct. Conversely, even the sturdiest spiritual warrior experiences periods of dryness, emptiness, and doubt. Something more is necessary.
The second source of confidence in our salvation is the objective promise of Scripture based on the merits of Jesus. The apostle John's guarantee is characteristic, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
This concept is so foundational it is repeated many times in the New Testament:
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."
The third?and most demonstrative?evidence of salvation is a holy life of persevering adherence to the Gospel of truth. John says bluntly, "The one who says, ?I have come to know Him,? and does not keep His commandments, is a liar" (1 John 2:4). Paul warns Timothy, "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us" (2 Timothy 2:12). Peter tells us to "be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10).
The book of Hebrews is filled with warnings. "We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end" (3:14), and, "You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised" (10:36).
This is why the teaching of James is so important. Paul's instruction on justification by faith alone is so radical it can be mistaken for license, a charge he defends against in Romans 6:1-2. There's no such confusion with James, though. To paraphrase James 2:26, "The human body without the breath of life is nothing but a corpse. The same is true for anyone who says he has faith, but doesn't back it up with a changed life."
Our confidence that we belong to Christ is based on faith in God's promise evidenced by our perseverance. It is the engine that pulls the train. Our feelings are the caboose. The caboose is dispensable; the engine is not.
What makes a person sure his salvation is in force? If all he can say is "I prayed the prayer," or "I really feel God is in my life," he may be in trouble. If his confidence isn't based in the Gospel of truth, and if he's not actively following Jesus, we can give little assurance. The most loving thing we can do for a person like that is given a sober warning.
Only a knowledgeable ambassador can give this warning in a manner that is wise and full of love. As I travel and speak for STR, I challenge and argue the subjective tenants of what passes for today's knowledge. Every error of thought and philosophy that STR stands up against in this world is made possible by your support.
Our materials and methods are tested by fire in the marketplace of ideas and we will not compromise, nor would you have us do so. That's why your gift of support during these typical lean months of summer support can mean so much to STR. Your financial partnership is a statement of the value you receive and the concern you have for clear eternal truths to be present in the world of ideas.
Your gift sent today will keep the truths that you believe in with all your heart going out to train, educate, and to turn people's hearts and minds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And the next time you lead someone to Christ, consider bypassing the sinner's prayer. There's no precedence for it in the Bible anyway. In the New Testament, baptism served the function of heralding one's entry into the Body of Christ.
Rather, enjoin the one who is spiritually hungry to satisfy his appetite day by day by following the Savior. Give him some guidelines on how to do that. Tell him about prayer, fellowship, and Bible study. Instruct him in forgiveness, regeneration, and justification.
Don't let him forget, though, being born again is the beginning, not the end.
| Confident in the truth,
Gregory Koukl |
?2002 Gregory Koukl. Reproduction permitted for non-commercial use only.
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