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Volume. XXVIII, No. 21 Evangelism and Holy Living - Part 2continued from last week… Holy Living Makes the Gospel Attractive Lastly, the Apostle also states his third reason for holy living in Titus 2:10, "Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." The word "Adorn" in Greek (kosmeō) also means putting on something beautiful. What is our primary message to this world about God? Do we want the world to know that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent? Do we want to tell the world that God is immutable, sovereign and eternal? Do we want to proclaim to the world that God is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe? Yes, we all do! But by far the main attribute of God we want the unsaved to understand is that He is a Saviour! I believe that is what Paul is trying to tell us. Now, how will we ever make the good news about God as Savior beautiful in every respect if we do not look like we have been saved by His grace and that His Spirit has transformed our lives? When we live in obedience to God, that in itself will be a testimony against any doubt or criticism. When our unbelieving friends see us helping rather than exploiting, hear us talking with purity instead of profanity, and observe us speaking truthfully rather than deceitfully, our example will itself be a rebuke of selfishness, unedifying jokes, and falsehood. Simply refusing to participate in a dishonest business or social practice will sometimes be such a strong rebuke to the world that it costs us our job and friendship. One writer wrote, “Dishonesty is terribly uncomfortable in the presence of honesty, even when there is no verbal or other direct opposition.” Often, of course, open rebuke is needed. Silent testimony will go only so far. Failure to speak out against and to oppose unrighteous things is a failure to obey God. Believers are to expose them in whatever legitimate, biblical ways are necessary. Unfortunately, many Christians are barely able to keep their own spiritual and moral houses in order. Thus, they lack the discernment, courage, or power to confront evil in the society at large. That is why it is quintessential that we be so mature in doctrines, and in obedience, holiness, and love, that the natural course of our lives will be to expose, rebuke, and offer remedy for every kind of evil in this world. Indeed, we cannot save anyone with our testimony alone. It is God who saves, for salvation is of the Lord! But making salvation attractive is a high calling, and we will fail in that endeavor unless we can demonstrate that we have indeed been delivered from the bondage of sin. For, rebuking sin in others without an accompanying lifestyle of righteousness is the greatest hypocrisy. But lives characterized by purity, power, and joy reflect the order, beauty, and power of a saving God! Conclusion At stake is the eternal destiny of unredeemed souls. Christians who are unholy, lead unbelievers to slander God; those who are holy lead them to glorify God. The central issue in evangelism is holy living. A powerful church is not built on its strategy, but on the virtue and holiness of its people. What we believe is linked to how we live, and how we live is directly linked to the effectiveness of our gospel proclamation. So, as Christians, it's imperative to conduct ourselves, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15).
Preacher David Weng |
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