The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
July 6, 2003
In
This Issue:
Why
Am I Here?
By
Greg Legg
The
Psalmist's Soul-Winning Formula
By
Edward O. Bragwell Sr.
Why Am I Here?
From the time we achieve adulthood we grapple with our identity. Why do we exist? Why do we live on this planet called earth? Once we finally grasp the reality of God, the certainty of His word and the priority of truth this confusion of our existence should end for we find the answer to our existence.
Most of the five billion humans wandering upon the earth would be unable to find an answer to this question. It is because they are wandering through an endless maze of confusion. Many cannot "see the forest for the trees" and never see the whole picture. Most people never discover the broader perspective that enables them to view the horizon of our human existence with the truths of the Bible. The pressing concerns of daily existence crowd out any broader sense of life's meaning. We scramble for excitement in momentary pleasures only to find no true gratification, thus we seek another. We have become obsessed with self-gratification and have left the awareness of spiritual need. We have lost the meaning of life.
A scribe once asked Jesus the question: "Which is the greatest commandment of all?" Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, which requires man to love God with his entire being. Jesus went on to add Leviticus 19:18 to his answer, which requires man to love his neighbor. He concluded that no other commandment was greater than these, because upon these hung the entirety of the law and the prophets. He cut through all the regulations and responsibilities and got right to the heart of the matter: lovingly to obey God.
This is the purpose of life. It is the answer for all the confusion of mankind. We are here upon this earth, not for physical pleasures and self-gratification, but to glorify our Holy Father in obedience to His truths. As Solomon concluded in his great search for wisdom and man's existence, we should fear God and keep His commandments for it is the whole duty of man. Here is reason for your existence. Go for it!
--By Gregg Legg
"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You." -- Psalms 51:12,13 (NKJV).
The Psalmist may be saying that if the Lord restores the joy of his salvation then he promises to teach transgressors. Or he may be saying that when the joy of salvation is restored teaching transgressors will naturally follow. In either case, sinners will be converted.
Answers to why we are not converting more to Christ are offered by the dozens. "How to" instructions abound. Several preachers specialize in "soul-winning techniques". "Specials" are held from time to time to consider the matter. Book stores stock books and kits that are supposed to tell us how to make virtually every Christian an effective soul-winner. Yet, all the above combined produce meager results. Even what appear to be spectacular results often turn out to be nothing more than a mirage -- a flash in the pan.
All this somewhat reminds me of a story that I heard several years ago about a company trying to increase its sales. They hired an expensive sales expert to lecture their salesmen on sales organization and technique. Their experienced salesmen and new recruits were required to attend so they, too, could become experts. The expert unveiled his plan. He demonstrated his sure-fire technique. He organized the territories complete with a wall map with pins placed at strategic points to illustrate the salesmen, customers and potential customers. He had refined his program to a fine art. During his lecture he spotted an old salesmen sitting over in the corner who was reputed to have been the top salesman for the company over several years. After, proudly and with fan fare, presenting his technique he asked the old salesman if he had any words of encouragement or advice that he might add to what had been said. The old salesmen replied, "Yes, take all those pins out of that map and stick them into the salesmen!"
Could it be that our problem in teaching transgressors the Lord's way and thus converting them to Lord is not so much poor methods, materials, and facilities as it is poor motivation with no proper foundation? It may be that the joy of our own salvation is the missing element. Pep rallies and motivational hype on the subject of soul-winning may stir brethren into spurts of action, even producing some results. A sustained effort and lasting results will likely come from one who really knows both the plan and joy of salvation. Such a one understands what it means to be lost. He knows what it means to be saved. His knowledge is not based on fleeting feelings but on a knowledge of what God's word teaches on damnation and salvation. His joy is not the superficial cart wheel turning, hand clapping, "praise the Lord" shouting variety, but a far deeper joy of thankfulness, knowing that he has been delivered from the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. One with such joy understands what it means to no longer be a sinner alienated from God. He understands God's plan of salvation. He understands what the Bible teaches about being a Christian. His joy is produced by that understanding and his knowing that his life is now in harmony with that understanding. Thus, he wants others to know what he knows and do what he has done to be saved -- and is doing to stay saved. His genuine faith in the promises and blessings in Christ produces the joy of salvation that leads him to teach transgressors the Lord's ways so that they can enjoy what he enjoys.
Brethren filled with the knowledge and joy of salvation will find ways (or techniques) to teach others consistent with their own temperaments and abilities and of those they are trying to reach. Their methods may vary widely but their message and results will be the same - the gospel will be taught and sinners will be converted.
It may well be that the best personal work program that a church can develop is to set about to restore that genuine joy of salvation to its membership by building them up in the faith through teaching.
-- by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.