Jump Start # 3670
Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”
CalTech physicist, David Goodstein, wrote a collegiate textbook on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, called “States of Matter.” The introduction begins this way: “Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent much of his life studying statistical mechanics, died in 1906, by his own hand. Paul Ehrenfest, carrying on this work, died similarly in 1933. Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics.”
NOW IT IS OUR TURN?? The outcome of Boltzmann and Ehrenfest didn’t turn out well. I can only imagine a college student reading this and thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” It would be hard to read beyond this page. Goodstein is considered at the top of his field in this study, but he doesn’t know how to write. It was not necessary to tell how the earlier scholars died.
This is a great example and reminder to us about how we approach talking to people and the function of the Gospel. By very definition, the word ‘Gospel,’ means, “Good news.” Yet, some have a way of turning good news into bad news. Scaring people into the baptistery isn’t the same as making disciples of Jesus. Getting baptized so one doesn’t go to Hell, isn’t the same as believing in Jesus as the Christ.
Here are some thoughts:
First, faith and trust in God’s word is the starting point. Use verses. Show people in their own Bible what God says. Too many opinions, articles, even Jump Starts, can get in the way of simply reading the Bible. This is where faith comes from. Our Lord said, “Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed.” How would they believe? They would believe from the eyewitnesses. They would believe because the message is true. They would believe because the reliability of the Bible.
I’m hearing stories of more and more places that are using less and less Bible. Personal stories have replaced the divine sent message. Philosophy, humor and long, long stories fill sermons and Bible classes. Hearts are touched. Tears roll down cheeks. People laugh. It’s a wonderful time, but very little insight and very little digging into God’s word takes place. That rock that withstands the storms, is the word of God.
Second, softening what God says isn’t the answer either. God opened up the earth and swallowed some. The angel of death killed thousands. Hell is real. We know there is a Hell because there is a Heaven. Without one, the other does not exist. Jesus puts them together in the same sentence in the judgment scenes of Matthew. Some don’t want to talk about doctrine, judgment, wrath, and punishment. They’ve turned God into a heavenly Mr. Rogers and in his neighborhood, everyone is nice and gets along with each other. The first Christians to die, was not at the hands of persecutors. Acts 5, God strikes down two dishonest lying Christians.
The warnings of Heaven are not to scare us but rather to keep us safe. They allow us to stay in the lane that we are supposed to travel in. It’s the love of Christ that makes us come home to Him. It’s not being afraid of pigs and filth, but it’s knowing that God made us for better things. We can do better.
Our words need to be balanced. Not everything is rainbows. There are storm clouds. The words of the Lord to the churches in Revelation were a cold reality check for many of them. Loveless. Lifeless. Lukewarm. That’s the truth. That’s the way they were. Yet, within each of those admonitions, the Lord offered hope. Repent. The Lord believed that they could change.
Third, even in correction, God places the words of gentleness as the means which this is to be done. Smacking someone with the sword likely won’t bring a positive change. Be honest. Be truthful. But, do it kindly. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Remember the golden rule. The goal is not to destroy someone, win an argument, or to say, ‘I told him so.’ The goal is the salvation of his soul.
The ole’ story of a parent telling his child before he spanks him, “this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you,” ought to run through our minds as we try to reach others who are not walking with the Lord. Mean, smug, self righteous spirits crush souls and leave a path of destruction.
Now it is our turn…I think he should have ran that statement by the English department. A little editing might have been necessary. And, when we think before we speak, a little editing often takes place in our minds.
Roger