In “Christian” America you would imagine that you could walk up to anyone and begin to talk about Jesus Christ and everyone would have some context. Perhaps at one time that was true. We are now living not only in what is “post modern” but in what has been referred to as a “post truth” culture. Divine absolutes are out and self-awareness is in. This is the world we have been called to evangelize.
But this is not the first society to have such a spiritual landscape. When Paul spoke to the people of Athens at Mars Hill regarding “THE UNKNOWN GOD” he began this way: “God that made the worlds and all things therein…” (Acts 17:24). This most intelligent witness spoke to most educated people and began with the most simple truth: God as Creator.
In an increasingly secular world people need to hear the full story of God’s redemptive work. We must not assume that they already know the basics or take for granted the most elementary building blocks of His revelation. People must know WHO He is if they are to respond correctly to Him.
This is why the Old Testament is essential to New Testament witnesses. A world living on the verge of Revelation need a reminder from Genesis. It all begins with God and it will all end with Him!
We must begin where God begins to reveal Himself to man. Creation evangelism is not just for scientists; Christians should be able to explain what they believe about their Creator.
A thorough witness does not begin at the end – it begins at the beginning. How will people acknowledge God as their Judge if they will not accept Him as their Creator? How could a sinner look to Christ as their Savior if they never see how they have broken His law and need salvation?
As we seek to get the good news of Christ to as many people as possible it is imperative that we remember the big picture. Keep it simple:
- There is a God (John 1:1-3).
- He created us all (Genesis 1:27).
- Man rebelled against his Creator (Romans 5:12).
- The Creator God has lovingly, patiently worked to bring man back to Himself (Colossians 1:20).
- God came in the flesh in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to make a way for man to be made “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- Soon Christ will come again and make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
- Every individual must personally come to know the Creator through faith in Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3).
We must always begin with God and we should begin where the divine, progressive revelation begins – we are God’s creation. In the darkness of the Roman Empire the Apostle Paul began to explain the doctrine of salvation by discussing “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world” (Romans 1:20). He took them to their “Creator” (v. 25) as a starting point.
Begin with the light of conscience and creation. Move from the most basic truth to the whole truth about Christ. The Bible message of salvation is interwoven with the truth about creation – it is all of God.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:14-17)
Amen. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
Thanks for taking time to read each article.
Truth. Witnessed to a Catholic couple this weekend. Jesus is God, a truth that many Catholics do not understand even though they teach the Trinity. I always begin there with them. And from there, of course salvation is a free gift, and a personal relationship with Christ. Pray for this couple, Chris and Cindy from Portland, Maine..it was a powerful, divine meeting where we shared our conversion to Christ out of Catholicism.
Praying now
Amen.
Praying for Chris and Cindy. May God continue to use you!