Harry Whitt on the Journey with Jesus
Concerning our perceived effectiveness, the church has done a fair job of saving people from Hell, but a poor job of saving people from their brokenness. Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, not just converts. I am afraid in our enthusiasm to make only converts we have left a heap of lost souls in the wake of false confessions and hurry-up-sinner-prayers.
I would never describe myself as a fighter. In my view, it is better to avoid trouble than to stir it up. Some of us remember “The Jerry Springer Show” that kept its ratings by conflict, and more often than not, a fist fight on stage erupted. I knew then as now, that to fight is not the best option. It is better to walk away from trouble than to dive into it, but there are situations when we need to stand and not run.
Many people have a wrong perspective of leaders. In the extreme, some tend to either place them on a pedestal or despise them. Hopefully, most of us view them with some normalcy, as people with a tough job who are trying to do their best despite their own weaknesses. But how do ordinary people do extraordinary things?
In the beginning God brought forth light upon the dark and chaotic waters of creation. The Holy Spirit was hovering over the face of the waters when God the Father said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 NKJV). The Word sent out by the Breath of God executed the will of the Father and rolled the darkness back by His Light that was called forth from nothing but birthed from His own eternal substance.
There is one revelation I have become more convinced of than ever, and it is that we cannot logically convince someone to become a Christian. I know this may sound strange or even heretical to some people but please hear me out. True evangelism is not an earthly technique, but a spiritual reaction brought about by a supernatural convergence of man and God.
I recently read an article written by a nationally recognized, evangelical pastor who claimed that God only speaks today through the Bible. He rejected the idea that we mortals could receive ANY communication from God except from the Bible. His theory even denied one could receive a “calling” from God or any direct guidance or leading of the Holy Spirit. When I finished reading his words, I felt a great sadness for him and those who followed his teaching. You are mistaken dear pastor—God still speaks!
