For years or even decades, the
Christian church has always been seeking great tools, methods or even materials
to use in such a way to have an effective and efficient way of evangelizing and
discipling people. Pastors and Christian laborers create books, pamphlets,
tracks, literatures, even use the power of media through radios and
televisions. Now, the computer age has come and the competition of getting
people's attention and ears to hear the gospel of Christ has become difficult. So
I ask, "what is the really best way to get people's attention and get them
to really see who the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him part of their lives? or
enter in a relationship with Him and also grow in the knowledge of Him?"
I do not wish to claim to know the answer, but I
believe God's Word has the greatest answer of all. I was struck recently of a
verse which is John 13:34-35.
Probably a very familiar verse and the verse says:
"A
new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another. By this shall
all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Jesus gave a new commandment!!! A new commandment? Is
loving one another really a new commandment? Of course not! In the Old
Testament or in Leviticus 19:18, we find the phrase "love thy neighbor as
thyself". Isn't that the same as loving one another? There are lots of
other verses from the old testament which in context really means to love one
another. But why is it new? The reason is this phrase "as I have loved you".
Our love ought to be based or compared or be like how Jesus loved His disciples
or us! And if we would look at how Jesus loved us, it's soooo compelling, soooo
amazing, soooo struck with awe of His love. Just simply understanding that He
laid down His life for us! The God, who is all powerful, all knowing, all present,
Holy and without sin, unspotted Lamb of God, One who had no guile found in Him
even when He was oppressed, ridiculed, mocked, stricken, abhorred, shamed and it
goes on; Yet, He laid His life down willingly... That is the Love of God! That
is how the Lord Jesus Christ loved us!
Now why am I talking about the Love of God instead of
the greatest tool for evanglizing and discipling? Well, I believe THAT(Love of
God) is the greatest tool for evangelism and discipleship. Of course I'm not
saying that materials we use or methods we use are of no use, but come to think
of it, without God's Love flowing and moving through you as His servant, as His
friend reaching out to others, wouldn't you think all of those methods and
tools are of no effect?
I've been with my father for almost 3-4 years in the
ministry, but he has been in the ministry longer. And I'm just amazed on how
God works through my father reaching out to people. I believe he has the gift
of evangelism. And because of this, he is a great church planter. Because of
this I tend to compare myself to my father, whether can I surpass or even be
compared to my father? Oh no, I don't think so... I don't think I have the gift
of evangelism. Discipler or teaching perhaps, but not evangelism. But throughout
this reminiscing, a young people shared something about my father. She asked to
herself, "why can this pastor continue to come even from a far away place just
to minister and teach God's Word? What kind of love does this pastor have?"
(not the exact question, but the same context). Made me thought, it was God's
Love. I'm sure. Love for the lost souls, love for them that need to be fed by
His Word.
God's Love is very important in everything we do for
the Lord. Especially when it comes to reaching out to the lost souls and
teaching and training baby Christians. But don't get me wrong, having this
(God's Love) does not mean everything will be fast paced or will be automatic,
like with just one button, people are assured of knowing and receiving Christ
and be matured in their faith. Nay, I'm just saying, God's Love is so much
valuable when it comes to evanglizing and discipling. Remove it, then both are
worthless. By the way, Jesus Himself has been already the greatest example,
that by His Love, the world was turned upside down. It didn't just reached Jerusalem,
or Israel, but of the whole world, nations and of different tongue. Yet, the
work is not yet done. There is much more work to do! So in everything we labor
for Him, may we always wear or better yet, plant God's Love in our heart that
it may flourish and bring forth much fruit, ready to harvest.