By David Ettinger
Basic Truths
Though I’ve always known it, I now feel it. The Gospel, ultimately, cannot be accepted solely on an intellectual basis. It can be communicated intellectually, but cannot enter the heart that way. We can preach for decades, but unless God opens the heart of the hearer, there is no accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior:
- “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27).
- “You did not choose me, but I chose you …” (John 15:16).
- “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Yet, believers are called to preached the Gospel:
- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations …” (Matthew 28:19).
- “[Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
- “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
The Reality of Hell
The first part the Gospel is that individuals are born separated from God and destined for eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire (Hell). The second part is that Jesus died on the cross, taking the sins of the world upon Him, and those who bow the knee to Jesus will have their sins forgiven and hence spend eternity in Paradise with Him.
Any communicating of the Gospel must contain these truths. This is why the Gospel must be communicated – without its knowledge, individuals will spend eternity in Hell. However, this is the aspect of the Gospel people most balk at – either the reality of Hell, or that anyone but the Hitlers of the world actually go there. Yet, this is not the stickiest issue concerning the Gospel.
The Stickiest Issue
The stickiest issue as I’ve experienced it through actual discussion, is that to accept the Gospel is to admit that beloved deceased family and friends are perishing in Hell.
Back in the late 1980s, my best friend at the time, who was Jewish, told me point-blank after I shared the Gospel with him: “David, I’m not against anything you said, but if I were to admit you are right, it will also be admitting that my parents are in Hell.”
Same, too, with my brother and two sisters. My parents both died in their 50s and from the best I can tell, there is no way they confessed Christ on their deathbeds. Therefore, for my siblings to even consider the claims of Christ is to accept that our parents are perishing. Over the years, I’ve had other such discussions. Of course, this objection to eternal damnation neither changes reality, nor does it excuse people for rejecting Christ, but on the intellectual level, I have found it to be the stickiest issue in sharing the Gospel, particularly with people I know.
God’s Glorious Will
I suppose the primary point of this post is that ONLY God can open the hearts of individuals to believe in His Son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:18).
And yes, for whatever reason, He uses we sinners-turned-saints to carry this Gospel – this Good News – to the lost that they too may receive eternal life in Christ Jesus. But He never said it was going to be easy. We do our best to deliver the saving message of Christ, even when the stickiest objections of the intellect strive to muddle it up.
May God help us to deliver a saving message to the lost and perishing souls among us, and may we trust Him to work out His glorious will in the process!
Blue Collar Theologian
July 30, 2020
When I have this conversation with my mom or fellow believers they say to me, “Mandy, while yes it is true they are or may perish, it hurts to much to think about it.” I don’t enjoy talking about loved ones perishing but it is reality. I also agree that we can’t boast, our salvation from beginning to end is a gift from God. I am thankful for your honesty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
Good points, Mandy. Regarding the issue of eternal damnation, I only bring it up in regard to people who are living, as something they can avoid. They are the ones who bring up the issue of their lost loved ones, and this is natural.
We can only take it from there and speak to to truth of the Gospel. It is a difficult discussion to have, and can only be effective if the Lord opens up blind eyes.
Thanks much, Mandy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bruce Cooper
July 30, 2020
I agree with all that you said David although I do believe that a person can express an honest desire to look at the Gospel. After that I’m thinking it’s pretty much in God’s court. Almost like saying, “I’m willing to be made willing”. Otherwise why would Jesus say, “Behold I stand at the door and knock”. If you don’t have an option to open the door, why would Jesus stand there and knock? Or why would the great commission be to go and preach the Gospel if it’s already been decided? Free will just has to be a part of it from my perspective but I can also see God’s sovereignty in play. Best I can give you is a definite “maybe”! Family is undoubtedly the most difficult area to walk through. The implications are indeed profound and cut to the bone, but like Peter said, “Lord, to whom would we go . . .?” Jesus told us that with God all things are possible so as long as I have unsaved loved ones who are still alive, I keep on knocking on His door, just like Jesus told us to (Matt 7:7). No doubt at all, this is a hard area to come to grips with. Blessings.
LikeLiked by 3 people
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
I agree, Bruce. On the one hand there is election, on the other, there is choice. At least the way the finite human mind sees it. But to the infinite mind, there is no one hand and the other. Both election and free choice meld perfectly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lisa Beth
July 30, 2020
Good post brother and I agree with your comment here. I would only add my difficult Gospel truth, “…narrow is the road that leads to life and only a few find it”
Only a few…
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
So true, Lisa Beth.
LikeLike
Lisa Beth
July 30, 2020
Oh, can you change “like” to life?
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
Dun. Oos, I mean done! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
seekingdivineperspective
July 30, 2020
This is SO hard to address – it gets in the way when trying to share Christ with someone who is grieving the death of a loved one. On the one hand, at that moment they’re tender and open, but the comfort of the gospel is accompanied by the sad truth about that person they just buried.
LikeLiked by 2 people
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
Exactly. Spot-on and well said.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sonrisa (Crissy)
July 30, 2020
This is a subject that saddens me deeply . It’s is true the hardest part of sharing the Gospel is to those who have lost loved ones. Even more so, when dealing unsaved family members and close friends. I have had many heart breaking experiences. I also would like to say the we, the people of God, are seen as self righteous when we proclaim Jesus is the only way!
Thank you for this post David . It’s encouraging to know that others in the Body are experiencing the same.
God’s Peace
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
July 30, 2020
Thank you. You’re right, Crissy. The “Jesus as the only way” message is one that people resent.
LikeLiked by 1 person