The Scriptures make it clear that one is saved by the
Word of God and not a Christian's lifestyle. The Bible says in I Peter
1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
In verse 25 of the same chapter, Peter says, "But the word of the Lord
endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is
preached unto you."
Nowhere does the Bible teach that one is won to the Saviour simply
by observing the life of a dedicated Christian. The Bible plainly
states in Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God."
Notice, the Scripture does not say, 'Faith cometh by observation,
and observation by a good lifestyle.' Paul said in I Corinthians 1:21,
" ... it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe." Here again the Scriptures say nothing about God's being
pleased to save people through someone's lifestyle. No, no! "It
pleased God by the foolishness of PREACHING to save them that
believe."
The Great Commission is found five times in the New Testament. In
Mark 16:15 the Lord commissioned us, "Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature." Notice again, He does not say,
'Go ye into all the world and live a good Christian life before every
creature, and I will save those who believe.'
Now, I am for living a good Christian life. And a good testimony
makes us a more effective soul winner. But I do not personally know of
anyone who has ever been led to Christ simply by observing someone's
good life.
Verse after verse throughout the Bible makes it plain that men are
to be confronted with the Gospel. Proverbs 29:1 says, "He, that being
often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and
that without remedy."
The last invitation of the Bible is found in Revelation 22:17: "And
the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him
take the water of life freely."
Notice the words in this great invitation, "And the Spirit and the
bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come."
This is a verbal message that is heard - not a so-called
"incarnated Gospel" that is observed.
Romans 10 gives the whole machinery of salvation: "For whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall
they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they
hear without a preacher?" (vss. 13,14).
Notice here that a man is saved by believing on the Lord Jesus
Christ.
But the Bible raises a question: "And how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard?" It does not say, 'How shall they
believe unless someone lives a good Christian life before them?' That
is simply not in the Bible.
Notice again, " ... and how shall they hear without a preacher?" It
doesn't say, 'How shall they hear without someone to live it before
them?'
The Bible is as plain as day. No one need misunderstand it. It is
impossible to find so-called lifestyle evangelism in this clear
passage which gives the whole machinery of salvation. Those who make
fun of confrontational evangelism make fun of the Bible because the
Bible knows no other kind of evangelism.
End of Chapter One
