Researcher George Barna states, "The actions,
habits and lifestyles of many Christians today are almost identical
to those of unbelievers."
Maybe that’s why sinners seem to have little
desire for what we as Christians advertise.
When my wife and I built a home last year, I made
it a point to get acquainted with everyone who worked on our house;
and, whenever I had an opportunity, I would share Jesus with each
worker. I learned that no matter the lifestyle or how crude the language,
each felt he/she was going to heaven – one way or another.
I have drawn several conclusions from this 10-month
experience.
First, no clear definition exists in the minds
of most people today concerning right and wrong. They say it depends
on how they look at it and the circumstances they are in. I believe
this is due to the lack of conviction of sin, which is the responsibility
of believers who allow the Holy Spirit’s power to work in them.
For too long many Christians in America have blamed everyone from
the courts to the abortionists for the spiritual decline of our nation.
I disagree. Powerless Christians are responsible — not unbelievers.
The apostle Paul, when confronted by the power
of God on the Damascus Road, was radically transformed. Later he wrote,
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the
old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV). Our
theology must continue to teach that conversions be so radical that
even people who don’t like us can see the difference.
Second, we must demonstrate the power of the gospel
in the marketplace. Our integrity in financial dealings and our truthfulness
must bear witness with the unsaved that we are children of God. Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 gives guidelines as to how this
should happen.
In this Evangel are stories of those who have
been radically transformed by the gospel and who are now passionate
about seeing others come to Christ. They believe, as I do, that revival
will not come to this nation through new laws or through politics.
Revival will come only when Christians become Jesus to those around
them.
Maybe the sign I saw at a center for recovering
addicts should hang around the neck of each believer: "This ground
… is guarded by angels through direct command of the Lord Jesus
Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit."
— Charles E. Hackett
