FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Todd Gaddis

A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say. 2

Our requirement— Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection does not automatically secure salvation. A response is required on our part. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Confessing Jesus as Lord carries with it a two-pronged requirement. First it must be done with the mouth, which is an outward confirmation. Spoken words provide audible evidence of commitment to Christ. Inward, invisible affirmation takes place in the heart. Head knowledge is a good start but completed salvation requires a circumcision of the heart through the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:29). At some point in the conversation you’ll need to transition from offering explanations to seeking a decision. In the business world, it’s called “asking for the order” or “closing the deal.” To a fisherman, it’s “setting the hook” or “drawing in the net.” And once again, you’ll find at this stage, questions work well. Ask them if they understand what you’ve been discussing. For clarification, review the following steps concerning what they must do to be saved. SET THE HOOK

74