Often times we encounter self-proclaiming Christians conducting a measure of opposition to the use God’s Law in evangelism. The objection typically comes in the form of:
“I appreciate what you are doing but I don’t like the way you are doing it. That’s not how Jesus would have done it, Jesus was all about love!”
After a little probing, it is not uncommon to find the objector raises such disapproval against the use of the Law simply out of a lack of knowledge. Unfortunately ignorant conjecture and hearsay takes the place of honest research. They yield an ear to what commonly gets flipped in compromised Christianity circles:“Jesus is all about love, hugs, and kisses” rather than playing the part of a Berean by examining the Scriptures to see if this is things are so (Acts 17:11). They adopt and champion such an unfounded expression rather than test it’s truthfulness (1 Thess. 5:21).
So today lets remove all speculation in asking What Would Jesus Do? And look at What Did Jesus Do?
In the Gospel of Mark, recorded is an encounter that Jesus had as He was going out on the road. “One came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’”
Reflecting on this for a moment...Talk about a potential convert! This guy is eagerly running towards Jesus and he seems to have some genuine humility as he bows his knee before the Creator of all things (John 1:3, Col. 1:16) and asks Him what he shall do? Does Jesus talk about love, joy, or a wonderful plan for the man's life? No, instead Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter and points out the man’s personal sins so that he could see his personal need for the Savior! Jesus' weapon of choice (2 Cor. 10:4): God's Law!
Jesus replies, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”
The rich young ruler replied: “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
note: There is so much to share about the previous passages but lets keep focused and strike ahead to where Jesus gets precise and zeros in on this man’s particular obstacle that separates him from everlasting life.
“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
As it turns out this man was a transgressor of the first and greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-38). The man was sad and sorrowful at this word as he seemed to have counted the cost (Lk. 14:27-28,33) and decided to walk away from Jesus.
Now think back... Early on in the encounter it seemed as though this man was a highly potential convert based off of his seemingly genuine humility, to come running, kneeling, and enquiring what must he do??? Jesus responds by turning on the light of the Law (Prov. 6:23) which reveals the true condition of this man’s heart (Rom. 3:20). God's Word discerned the man’s true thoughts and intentions of his heart (Heb. 4:12). Had Jesus never prepared the way by using the Law we would have never known! (Ps. 119:105)
Why use the Law in evangelism? BECAUSE JESUS DID! (Eph. 5:1)
Written by Chad Williams. http://LivingWaters.com
