Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Could it be that there is a method of evangelism that we have "in a great degree" overlooked? Truly successful "evangelism" requires two criteria:
(1) Propagation of an "evangelistic" message by every method available, including TV and state-of-the-art electronic productions.
(2) But the message itself must be correct, faithful to biblical revelation. Paul says that he is "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). The "power" is built-in within the message itself; "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5, 14) is so dynamic that it is virtually self-propagating if it is freed of the confusion that Babylon's "wine" produces.
Jesus' dictum is true: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Perhaps we haven't realized how true those words are! The Lord said that if we can break through the clouds of confusion from "Babylon" that envelop His cross, we shall see great success in genuine, lasting soul-winning: "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself," He promised (John 12:32).
Consistent with this promise is the prophetic account in Revelation 18--the coming time when the earth is to be "lightened with [the] glory" of the closing message. It will specifically be free of any confusion from "Babylon's" "righteousness by faith" (vs. 3). Once the final message becomes clear, every honest-hearted human soul will heed the call to "come out of her [Babylon], My people" (vs. 4).
It's the gospel that's "the power of God to salvation." Once the humblest soul grasps what it means, his inmost soul becomes that "well of living water" "springing up into everlasting life," refreshing all who come near him (Song of Solomon 4:15; John 4:14; 7:38). The power won't be in the training of literary institutions (though that can glorify God, too). It's easy to say that it will be the Holy Spirit, but that's a "cop-out" if we forget that He "is the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17), and if we forget that that truth is "the truth of the gospel." That's where "the power" is.
What stands in our way? Jesus tells us: our "rich, and increased with goods" evangelism pride (Rev. 3:17, King James Version).
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 13, 2004.
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