Encouragement

We do not post these things for the praise of man (Matthew 23:5-12).  Sometimes we’re accused of this.  In the context of this verse, the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time were seen as important, and people looked at them with respect. 

It’s not the same in modern American society today, where our Christian heritage of this country is denied, religious leaders are mocked more than respected, while more and more of the population declare themselves “atheists” or hold to some sort of mixed up smorgasbord of spirituality, attempting to combine all the different religions together, or simply picking and choosing what they like from each one creating their own hybrid worldview.    

 

And then they accuse those who are holding to historical Biblical Christianity of trying to make ourselves look important in front of people.  As if standing on a stepstool on the public sidewalk, in an area littered with bars and clubs, proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and calling people to repent of their sins (Matthew 4:17), somehow makes people exalt and praise us.  Quite the contrary (John 15:18-19).  They are out there looking to party, lusting in their hearts and enjoying their sins for a season (Hebrews 11:25). 

Since we’re out there to call them to repentance and to consider eternal things, it kind of ruins their sinful time.  As their conscience bears witness (Romans 2:15), they want to suppress it.  They hate us, they laugh and mock us as they stumble by, looking for their next drink, and possibly some stranger to hook up with. 

 

But we do this for good reason.  First, the Lord has given us the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 10:42), commanding us to go out and proclaim the Good News.

 

Second, we actually care about people and don’t want them to end up in eternal hell (Matthew 25:41, 46, Daniel 12:2, Colossians 3:6)  We explain the Gospel to them that they might repent and be saved (Acts 17:30).  Eternity is at stake, and that will last much longer than a few hours of pleasure in a drunken stupor over the weekend. 

 

Third, God doesn’t want them to end up in hell, either (Ezekiel 18:32), but being a just and righteous God, that is where they will end up – where all of us deserve to go (Psalm 53:3, 1 John 1:8).  When judged by God’s Law, we’re all found to have broken it (Romans 3:23) and the fine must be paid.  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 14:11). 
God has provided a way to pay that fine for us, through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and He uses people to proclaim that good news to others. 
God doesn’t need us, but has granted us this privilege, to use us in reaching out to the lost, just as someone once reached out to us in our lost state before we were saved! 

It is the loving thing to do.  How could you possibly NOT tell others, when you know that they are headed to hell without Jesus Christ? 

 

If you call yourself a Christian, and you’re not going to say something to them about their eternity, you might as well say it out loud as you walk by, “Go to hell”, because that is exactly what you’re saying by your silence.  You don’t care enough about these people to give reason for the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15), and yet call those who do so “unloving” and “judgmental”? 

 

Fourth, the Lord says that if we deny Him or are ashamed of Him and His Words before men, that He will deny us before the Father and the angels (Matthew 10:33, Mark 8:38).  Is it not denial of the Lord, remaining quiet instead of warning them as we are commanded (Luke 6:46)?

 

And why would we remain silent?  We are not in fear of our lives here in America for proclaiming the Gospel.  The only thing we are afraid of is looking foolish in front of a bunch of lost people who are on their way to eternal hell.  That is nothing more than selfish pride, which is a sin in itself (Proverbs 16:18).

Well, I will look foolish for Christ (1 Corinthians 1:27-29), I will not deny the One who gave His life that I might be saved (John 3:16-18).  They can mock me, ridicule me, throw things at me and hate me, but I will NOT deny Him, nor will I stop proclaiming His Word (Acts 4:18-20). 

 

We are following the Biblical precedent that has been set forth before us, and I am not ashamed of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

And lastly, we post these pictures and witnessing encounters, not in an attempt to exalt ourselves before men, but rather, as an encouragement to other believers.  In order to demonstrate that it's not too difficult, that you are not alone - there is a remnant, holding to God’s Word, proclaiming His Gospel to the lost and here to help equip anyone who might consider joining us. 

 

Soli Deo Gloria