1:8 The way to use the Law "lawfully" is to use it in evangelism as a "schoolmaster" to bring sinners to Christ (Galatians 3:24). See verses 9,10.
"I have found by long experience that the severest threatenings of the Law of God have a prominent place in leading men to Christ.
They must see themselves lost before they will cry for mercy. They will not escape from danger until they see it." A.B. Earle 1:12 Here are three wonderful truths for evangelism:
1. God has enabled you to be His witness (Acts 1:8).
2. God considers you faithful, entrusting you with the stewardship of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16,17).
3. God has placed you into the ministry (Mark 16:15).
CHAPTER 2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS 1:8–10 "How should I witness to a homosexual?"
Rather than offend homosexuals by directly confronting the issue of their sinful lifestyle, modern evangelism often tries to soften the approach by saying that "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." This isn't a new concept. Charles Finney stated, "God is not angry merely against the sin abstracted from the sinner, but against the sinner himself.
Some persons have labored hard to set up this ridiculous and absurd abstraction, and would fain make it appear that God is angry at sin, yet not at the sinner. He hates the theft, but loves the thief. He abhors adultery, but is pleased with the adulterer. Now this is supreme nonsense. The sin has no moral character apart from the sinner. The act is nothing apart from the actor. The very thing that God hates and disapproves is not the mere event—the thing done in distinction from the doer; but it is the doer himself. It grieves and displeases Him that a rational moral agent, under His government, should array himself against his own God and Father, against all that is right and just in the universe. This is the thing that offends God.
The sinner himself is the direct and the only object of his anger.
"So the Bible shows. God is angry with the wicked [Psalm 7:11], not with the abstract sin. If the wicked turn not, God will whet His sword—He has bent His bow and made it ready—not to shoot at the sin, but the sinner
—the wicked man who has done the abominable thing. This is the only doctrine of either the Bible or of common sense on this subject" (The Guilt of Sin).
The biblical way to witness to a homosexual is not to argue with him about his lifestyle but to use the Law to bring the knowledge of sin. This will show him that he is guilty of breaking God's holy Law, and he is damned despite his sexual preference. The Law was made for homosexuals, as well as other lawbreakers. See Psalm 5:5 and 2 Peter
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS 2:14 "God made me like this. Sin is His fault!"
If this won't work in a civil court, it certainly won't work on Judgment Day. Even with an expert defense lawyer, it would take a pretty inept judge to fall for the old "God made me do it" defense. We are responsible moral agents. The "buck" stopped at Adam.
He tried to blame both God and Eve for his sin; Eve blamed the serpent. It is human nature to try, but it doesn't work with God.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
2:1 Intercessory prayer. "God gave us intercessory prayer so we could partner with Him in transforming society, saving the lost, and establishing His kingdom. To be sure,
God is perfectly capable of doing these things without us. He is all-wise, full of love, and almighty. In His wisdom He always knows what is best. In His love He always chooses what is best. And in His power He is able to do what is best. He doesn't need us.
Nevertheless, in His sovereign good pleasure, He has chosen to involve us, through our prayers, in accomplishing His will. Our intercessory prayers are important to God; they should also be important to us." Alvin J.
Vander Griend, "Your Prayers Matter,"
Discipleship Journal 2:4 Salvation is possible for every person.
2:5 "We know God only through Jesus Christ. Without this Mediator, is taken away all communication with God; through Jesus
Christ we know God. All those who have pretended to know God, and prove Him without Jesus Christ, have only impotent proofs.
"But, to prove Jesus Christ we have the prophecies which are good and valid proofs.
And those prophecies, being fulfilled, and truly proved by the event, indicate the certainty of these truths, and therefore the truth