Is the use of the Law in Gospel preparation, as the WOTM Ministry teaches, the “easy evangelism” slammed by Pastor John MacArthur, as being “superficial” and “cost-free discipleship”?
In his daily readings book John MacArthur’s passage for today clearly calls “foolish” those ministries who engage in “easy evangelism” to pursue “cost-free discipleship” for personal gain. Quoting from Matthew 7 where Jesus says to do as He has said previously, “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 7:14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.”:With these words of Christ John, therefore, proclaims,
“Why is the easy way so attractive? First, it is appealing to those in a hurry who want only to please themselves. Within the church, the foolish don’t care how their methods line up with God’s Word. They just want quick results—simple to see and easy to measure. Thus the foolish are satisfied with easy evangelism and cost-free discipleship.
Second, people prefer the easy way because they are superficial. Such ministry requires little planning and effort and not much concern for quality results. That house is all about instant gratification rather than the enduring reward found in plumbing the spiritual depths.”
http://www.gty.org/PDF/DailyReadingsfromtheLifeofChristVol17102011.pdf
I am sure that this is NOT the case.
Why am I so sure? Because it is NOT “easy” to evangelize using the Law, the Ten Commandments, in order to explain sin to one who desires only to please themselves and be free of the results. More Christians than I can count have paid the highest price for such Gospel preparation. The Law of God, rightly applied, prepares the heart of the sinner to truly see his sin as God see it, makes him able to be freed, for, he learns he DESERVES God’s ANGER and Judgment of Hell Eternal for violating His Law. This is why, when a sinner is faced with the light from God’s Word, his sins are exposed by the TRUTH that he is indeed a sinner, by the Ten Commandments, that he RUNS to the Savior, begging for His Mercy!
All HAIL the King who comes to SAVE His Own People with His OWN BLOOD!
I am but of foolish bone, deserving of the tree, struggling with this foolish flesh, begging on my knees, “Come quickly Lord Jesus!”
So then, use the Law God Himself provided for what it was designed, use it to save sinners. For, as God has said (in 1Timothy 1:9), the Law is FOR sinners, that they may see themselves in Truth, and worship God in His Spirit. Amen.*
Therefore the sinner may say with the Apostle…even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And, btw, if you read John MacArthur in context of his other writing you will see clearly who he is speaking about!
Patrick Burwell, Founder OnlyJesusSaves.com Ministries Are You Good Enough to Avoid Hell? Take the test: http://HowWillYouDo.org |
*all Scripture emphasis is my own
Agreed… did you misunderstand me?