It’s not really surprising to see that the day after I posted about 39 people stepping out to follow Jesus, that one of the watchdog blogs criticized the post and called the entire day into question. I do my best to stay away from useless arguments, but I want to respond here for the benefit of all those who attend Oak Leaf, invite their friends, and work so hard to see what happened Sunday keep happening. I have no desire to argue with the blogger or debate his disciples, this post is meant for Oak Leaf Church.
The particular criticism this time centered around the fact that those decisions weren’t real and lasting. The blogger (whom I’ve never met but takes every opportunity he can find to point out what is wrong with our church and other churches like ours) says that you can’t really know if a person genuinely repented. The Bible says that only God knows…that God will judge our hearts and motives (Proverbs 16:2). I don’t really know if a person was sincere about his desire to follow Jesus, but God will sort it all out. For me, I’m going to trust people. I’m going to try and encourage people. I’m not going to always be skeptical and critical. Maybe some of those 39 people won’t “stick.” We’re going to do our best to not let that happen, but we can’t guarantee that.
Another criticism from this guy is that people can’t decide to follow Christ on their own, so he attacks our methods. The Bible teaches that it’s not possible to have always been a Christian. In fact, you’re born a sinner. You’re born separated from God. Romans says that when we call on the name of the Lord, we can be saved. Paul writes that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts, then we will be saved. If you’re not a Christian from birth, then logic dictates that there must be a point in time when a person becomes a Christian. On Sunday, we gave people an opportunity to respond to the grace of God - to call on His name - and to confess Him with their mouths. 39 people did that. It was the moment in time where old things passed away, and all things become new. The prayer that Tony led people in wasn’t a magic word formula - it was just a way for people to call on the name of the Lord and confess with their mouths.
The critical blogger ends by accusing me of just using the number 39 to say “look at our church.” You know what, I’m proud of our church! I’m proud of the people that get to a building at 6 AM to spend 3 1/2 hours setting up. I’m proud of the hundreds of people that work with our children, teaching them about Jesus. I’m proud of people who invite their friends and neighbors and co-workers, not so we can have a “high attendance day” but so those people can meet Jesus! It’s much easier to just write a blog than it is to get up early, set up class rooms, write a check or invite your friends to church. These blogs can criticize away, but I’ll cast my lot with the faithful people of Oak Leaf Church who are actually doing something to advance the Kingdom. I am proud of my church, and I’ll keep bragging on them. And I’m proud of what God is doing in Cartersville, and I’ll keep bragging on Him.
I’m not going to spend my time commenting on these blogs or trying to justify what God is doing. I’m writing today to encourage all those associated with Oak Leaf Church to keep pressing on. Whenever God does something, there will be people there to criticize (read the first few chapters of Nehemiah). Sometimes, the criticism comes from other so-called Christians. Don’t be surprised about it; don’t be discouraged about it. Just keep on doing what God has called you to do.
sorry, this post didn't transfer over. i reposted it here, but the comments are gone. don't worry...they were probably not worth reading.
Posted by: michael | December 11, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Too bad you see it as criticism, because I don't think it was meant as that. Of course as Christians we do want to see people genuinely believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord so that they might be saved. May the Lord truly save all those who hear and respond to the gospel. And bless those who share the gospel...how beautiful are the feet that carry the good news!
And you are right - we do give people the benefit of the doubt for we do not see their hearts. We take their confessions as real. We must be careful though that we do not guarantee salvation just from words said. A true Christian will live it out over time. When I was saved 13 years ago, the Lord changed me. I was a new creation! My desires changed, I loved Jesus and His word, I wanted to be with other Christians, I wanted to hear preaching and teaching of the word of God, and I didn't want to live the old sinful life anymore. This Christian life has not always been easy, sometimes it has been very difficult, but by the grace of God I have continued to follow the Lord Jesus and to seek Him and His ways. I pray that He will keep me and help me to continue to follow Him.
But the fact is that there have been people throughout the ages (and I have a number of them in my own family) who had some sort of experience, or prayed a prayer, but now they have no interest in the things of God. It is truly sad, believe me, it's heartbreaking for a true Christian to see their family members like this. They were assured that they were saved at one point in time, and now they think they still are even though they don't want anything to do with the Lord, with Christians or the things of God. Some of them go to church, but they don't believe that Jesus is God! They don't believe the Bible is the word of God. They don't believe the Gospel: that they are sinners and Jesus died to save them from God's wrath. They are just going through religious motions because they think that church attendance means you are a Christian. So it is possible to have a false conversion. The thing we must do is strike a balance between giving false assurance on one hand, and looking doubtfully at everyone who professes Christ on the other hand. It is possible to do this and we need the Lord's grace and wisdom in it.
Posted by: julie | December 12, 2007 at 01:34 PM