Evangelism and the Tool of Despair
As we have noted previously, the one true key to effective evangelism is to create a state of utter despair within the unbeliever. First, by way of clarification, we need to note that ‘utter despair’ does not necessarily equate with tears, despondency or distress, although it may. The point to be understood is that the sinner must be robbed of all autonomous or anthropocentric remedies. The obvious question that now arises is: How do we create such despair?
The one simple answer is, Show the sinner God! How do we do this precisely? Scripture posits two ways. First, God is seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ His Son. Jesus says, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). Second, God is seen in His very own revealed Law.
Interestingly, most Christians do not have a problem with the first item. However, when Law is mentioned, people cringe and shrink back from this essential Biblical principle. The Law to most Christians today is passé. It is obsolete. It is an anachronism.
Such a position is extremely descriptive of the Church today. We are bogged down in the arguments of dichotomy – Law v Grace; NT v OT; Jesus v Paul – given to us by the DTB (Dodgy Theology Brigade) and as a consequence we dwell in mediocrity and paucity having missed the richness of the whole counsel of God.
The nonsense of these positions is patently evident when we stand still long enough to look at what the Scripture’s teach. Do we really see OT pitted against NT. No! Jesus quotes the OT, as do the Apostles, in order to prove His own identity and the cardinal doctrines of salvation, among other things. Is Paul at war with Jesus? May it never be!
So, in evangelism, we are told that we must show grace (or a nebulous love) by showing Jesus (Again, the DTB have helped us enormously (not!) by allowing the terms “Law” and “Grace” to be confused and misapplied). Yet, such is an untenable position for Jesus Himself stood upon the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17-19; Luke 24:27; John 5:46-47).
Let us look at two incidents that clearly show Jesus disarming strategy based in the Law of God.
1. The Woman at the Well:
When we look at Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, we see a conversation that is full of challenges. The woman has something to say at every point. However, Jesus counters her arguments and leaves her with no place to go. The conversation moves from a temporal need that can be quenched by water from a well to the necessity of eternal life and a relationship with Yahweh – the Living Water. (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13, Zechariah 14:8). She is instructed to bring her husband. She says she has none. Her answer is truth, but veiled truth. She is covenantally exposed. She has no head. She is an adulteress. She is worthy of death (Proverbs 5:3-5).
She speaks of a prophet and geographical worship (She is shown to be wrong again – 1 Kings 11:36). Jesus speaks to her of intimate knowledge of the One to be worshipped and of the state of the worshipper (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12-13). She then moves from prophet to Messiah with the general assent that when Messiah comes He will teach the truth. Here, the circle is complete. Jesus the Messiah, unrecognised throughout, is now declared. The One who reveals all is before her. He has revealed and the picture is not pretty!
2. The Rich Young Ruler:
The second and somewhat more obvious example of Jesus’ use of the Law involves the Rich Young Ruler. There is not so much banter and conversation as there is command and expectation. Jesus commands to the obedience of the Law. Why? Could it be that this man was rich precisely because he disobeyed the Law? Did his wealth come because of a disregard for Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-17), Remission (Deuteronomy 15:1-2) or the Sabbatical (Leviticus 25:1-7 & 26:34)?
Conclusion:
If we are to be effective in evangelism and witness we need to keep these examples and principles in mind. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law (WSC 14). The sinner is one who has transgressed that Law. Jesus is the One who kept that Law on our behalf. For a sinner to be saved he must have conviction that he has transgressed that Law and that he can only be reconciled to God through the One who has kept that Law. Thus, God’s Law must be preached and proclaimed. After all, does not the Apostle tell us that this Law is the Tutor / Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24)?
