Issues #3 & 4
Does the World Know that You are Loved
and in Love?
I have evangelized in many different ways.
There seems to be a gift operating in me to share Christ. It doesn't
have to be worked up, it just flows. There are times, however, when
I am clearly doing something in the flesh, and our Father is just not
in it.
Often people ask me, "Gary, if people
aren't going to 'hell,' then why do you spend all your time sharing
Christ? Why don't you just go out and do the things you enjoy doing,
like fishing, making your house a neighborhood showpiece, spending your
money on antiques or cars, or going on vacations? You seem to evangelize
more than professional evangelists who do it for a living! You just
don't make sense, if 'hell' isn't real."
People who respond in the above manner
give away what is really in their hearts. When a young couple is really
love, they do not have be paid to express their love. They do not have
to speak the words, "I love you." Follow them around for a couple of
days. Their love for each other is written on every hour of their life.
Their yearning to share their time with each other is manifested plainly.
Words, tracts, money is not needed for the world to see, "They are in
love!" Anyone watching them can clearly see when it is a two-way exchange.
The Scriptures say that when a person
is in love with the Father, they naturally manifest it in expressions
to their brothers and sisters. Their love for the Creator is "witnessed"
in their love for mankind. When they do something for a person here
on earth, they are doing it unto Jesus. When it is done in the Spirit
of Love, the act itself is its own witness. An evangelist with a megaphone
going behind the acts of love is not necessary. People can "get the
message" without the commercial.
Those who express Christ because of fear
of "hell" will never be able to truly express the depth of the love
of the Father for all His Creation. This kind of witnessing contains
"fear." Perfect love cast out fear!
I know of no better way to spend my time
than to spend it being "in love with my Creator." There are many times
I seem to drift out of that state, but I can categorically state without
fear of error, that when I'm "in love," that state of being far exceeds
what one gets out of football games, antiques, coin collections, or
church functions. To ask why I do what I do even though I don't believe
in a "eternal tormenting hell" reveals that person has not received
the love which drives out fear.
Father, may those reading these words
cry out that they may manifest your love, not some guilt-bound formula
which does not produce life because its source is fear.
|
