During a discussion at a church service, we talked about how someone actually comes to Christ and how someone comes to believe in Him. I debunked an opinion many people have that if we just love them, they will come to Christ. I have heard different churches try to use this approach. I remember a man arguing with a pastor, demanding that “If we just show them the love of Christ they will get saved! You don’t have to preach to them!” The pastor replied “How is that working for you?”. The man backed away without an answer. I agree we need to show the love of Christ to everyone. We read in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. If we do not show his love we are just noisy people making very little difference. But we also read in the Bible where the need for preaching the gospel in necessary! Romans 10, 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! At some point the gospel must be preached so a person can believe! We can not just love someone into the kingdom of God. They must believe! This is our command from what we call the Great Commission found in Matthew 28: 19-20 , 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. We are all called to this! Let us all go forth with the love of Christ and preach the “Good News” to this lost world.
Elder Jeff Kohler