I was just listening to a song, that really got to me, that I think A LOT of us Christians should REALLY pay attention to.

People aren't confused by the Gospel, they're confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God, but we are NOT the only way to Jesus.
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the Bible, they just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel, cause we are slowing it down.
Jesus is going to save the world, but maybe the best thing we can do, is just get out of the way.

Yes, we need to share the Gospel, but really, we need to just step out of the way and let Jesus do it. WE are the reason so many people don't WANT to meet Jesus. Just like above, they aren't confused by the Gospel, they're confused by us.

Thoughts or opinions anyone?

I was listening to this, and it really convicted me.

The only problem with such sentiment is that, Biblically, we alone are given the responsibility of distributing the Gospel...and that the Bible says no one searching after God...and that it also says that people hate us because they hate Christ...

I agree. But I think we get to caught up in US distributing the Gospel, that we forget to let Christ do the WORK. You know what I mean?

I do, but it's one extreme to the other most of the time.

For instance, we watch the pastor on television peddle the Gospel (which isn't really the Gospel, just his version of it), and become disgusted. We then turn around and begin to say, "Preach the Gospel; if necessary, use words," which is also a false teaching.

The goal for Christians is to both live the Gospel and preach it, both with fervor, both with sincerity, and both with integrity.

You don't agree with that saying "preach the Gospel. if necessary, use words."

I don't know. Seems to fit, to me. The best way to lead others to Christ is not by our words, but by our actions.

You don't agree with that saying "preach the Gospel. if necessary, use words."

I don't know. Seems to fit, to me. The best way to lead others to Christ is not by our words, but by our actions.

No, I think it's one of the worst misquotes ever (St. Francis of Assisi never said it).

Compare it to Romans 10:14:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

In the Greek, "preaching" means actual vocal proclamation. If we're living a Christ-centered life, but not vocally preaching the Gospel, we're doing little.

Gotcha. I see you what you're saying. Living it without the words, doesn't tell people by WHOM we are living our lives by....:hmm:

I understand what the quote is trying to say, however...Jesus said (I think in John 12:32?) that if He was lifted up, then HE would draw people to Himself. In other words, we do the lifting, He does the drawing. So there is a huge role that we play. It's true though, that we can certainly hinder that process.

Exactly Hope. We people nowadays are trying to the "drawing" and not stepping back and letting Jesus do that.

Sad really, that we are the reason so many people refuse to find Jesus.

I was just listening to a song, that really got to me, that I think A LOT of us Christians should REALLY pay attention to.

People aren't confused by the Gospel, they're confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God, but we are NOT the only way to Jesus.
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the Bible, they just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe, but we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel, cause we are slowing it down.
Jesus is going to save the world, but maybe the best thing we can do, is just get out of the way.

Yes, we need to share the Gospel, but really, we need to just step out of the way and let Jesus do it. WE are the reason so many people don't WANT to meet Jesus. Just like above, they aren't confused by the Gospel, they're confused by us.

Thoughts or opinions anyone?

I was listening to this, and it really convicted me.


I think that this is very dangerous thinking. It is what the Emerging Church is basing its popularity on. And it couldn't be further from the Gospel message. We need to be preaching to everyone that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The message has not changed. The problem is within the church. They have decided that the Bible isn't enough, is too strong, that Jesus couldn't possibly be as narrow as He is, etc.

If they are confused by us, then we need to be sure that we are preaching the Word of God correctly and succinctly. But we need to make sure that the message about sin, repentance and salvation through the Blood of the Lamb is intact. And in my experience, today, the message has changed and isn't bringing anyone to salvation.

The biggest problem with most of those who "preach the Gospel" is it is not presented in love and usually in a "holier than thou" attitude. Many in the Christian community seem to think of themselves as somehow superior to those who are not in that community and that attitude comes across in their interactions with others ( "Oh no! I don't drink, smoke, chew or go with women who do, attend that kind of movie, dance, watch TV," whatever). We ARE the reason many won't come to the Lord. And Gandhi said it best: "I like your Jesus but I don't like your Christians."

I think there is a major difference between being a true hinderance to the Gospel and being a handy excuse for an unbeliever as a smokescreen why they want nothing to do with the Lord (when really, everyone has their own personal reasons they'd rather not discuss because isn't it just handy to blame other people?).

"I would believe in God if it wasn't for you people."

That's a ruse of the enemy to get us to do nothing to reach the world and pull people out of his grip.

The way we treat one another tips people off as to Who we belong to. That doesn't mean it takes place of actually sharing the Gospel with another person. It simply gets their attention. "How come these guys are so different?"

It's really straightforward. Live what you preach, preach what you live, proclaim the Lord's works to all who will hear. Because if we deny Him before men ... well, you know the rest of that. :)

The world is going to hate us and use us as excuses. That's not going to hold water before God, and we shouldn't let that intimidate us nor use fluffy phrases to "get out of the way"; because Jesus commanded us to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. We can't do something if we're not present and accounted for and God works with us to bring a sinner to repentance. How do we think He's going to do it? Osmosis? God uses people to further His Kingdom.

I am in Christ. He is in me. If He's going to save anybody, it will be by way of His Church because He has eternally bound Himself to us.

If that doesn't convict us to get our act straightened out, then I don't know what will. :)

If not me, then who?
If not now, then when?

Good point, DaniHanson.

But don't you think there ARE a lot of Christians out there who ARE being a hindrance, instead of a help?

Good point, DaniHanson.

But don't you think there ARE a lot of Christians out there who ARE being a hindrance, instead of a help?

Perhaps so, but I trust God to deal with them on His own terms. But that doesn't excuse me from living like I know He wants me to and being part of that city set on a hill that cannot be hidden, and sprinkle myself around as the salt of the earth. God can do so much with just one willing person, if we just believe, and step out. :)