Do I have the right to Command???

I now attend a Christian college (Asbury). But biblically I know most of those around me are not Christians, they have just put on a mask & learned what to say & do when being watched. Its all head knowledge, their isn't a deep heart love for Christ like they have for the world or sports or reputation. So, when I hear them speak of Christ, the gospel, Christianity, etc. it is as if they have made a decision to better themselves and sin is reduced to bad choices we need to overcome. This will of course effect the way you share the gospel. It leads to depending on methods rather then simple truth, building friendship to replace gospel proclamation.

Which brings me to my point: can I command someone to repent & believe the gospel? Or should I merely make suggestions & give advice? I think the issue is authority & understanding if I actually do have a right to do this. Lets examine what Paul spoke to those unbelievers on Mars Hill:

"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."(Acts 17:30-31)

Paul commanded unbelievers to repent because God commands unbelievers to repent. In love, we also have the right & authority as ministers of the gospel. God saves men, not our methods, not our programs, or personalities or charm. With complete reliance upon the Holy Spirit and the power of the gospel we are to faithfully preach the word. Men have rebelled, sinned, hated their Creator and made gods to suit themselves. Men are ruined & headed for destruction so with the love of God in our hearts we must command them to turn from their evil ways and be restored in Christ. Let us be faithful to God, who alone deserves all praise & glory.

Here's a video from Paul Tripp that may help you.....our task is hard but is the most important thing in the world, we deal with souls.

First witness in Wilmore

The Lord blessed me & opened the door to witness to a youngman, Adam, a few days ago. He hangs out with a group of teens I see all the time in this area. I've actually been able to give them tracts but hadn't got to have any conversations until.......I was shooting ball at a local park when Adam got dropped off and started shooting with me (THE DOOR) and then soon began to talk to me about basketball (GOD OPENS DOOR). I then asked him if he attended church anywhere & futher explained the gospel.

A pivotal point in the conversation was when I began to explain that the way of salvation is through a narrow gate & on a hard path. Jesus said this & many other hard sayings to discourage the half-hearted followers & make it crystal clear that salvation is absolute & will cost you everything. I've heard that you can understand this verse as the gate being so narrow that one cannot bring anything threw it with him. Nothing, no secret sins, no half-hearts, etc.... You can no longer be Lord of your life. You must surrender all to Christ & follow where He may lead. I would never want to be unfaithful to God in sharing the gospel or to give a unbeliever false asurrance.

Adam really seem to take our conversation seriously. I pray he does.

Updates from Wilmore, KY

Well Amanda & I have been in Wilmore, KY for over a week and are really enjoying the area. I've got to hang out with my new coach at Asbury College, Will Shouse, and I'm really excited about the upcoming season. Amanda and I are going to Wellington Church tomorrow so we're pretty excited about that. I actually went out to eat with their youth pastor, Blake, a few days ago and had a great time of fellowship and getting to know him a little better. The campus and parks out here are beautiful....it truly is 'Mayberry, USA' out here.

Yesterday my pastor from Auburndale Baptist Church & His whole family came up to visit us. Amanda & I had such a good time with them & their kids. I already miss them & Auburndale Baptist Church. I'm ready to start working out with the basketball team and hit the books hard. I can't believe I'm here to finish my degree and play basketball at Asbury College....crazy! God is faithful and good to his children, I know I don't deserve this. I'm sure these next few years are going to fly by. In the mean time I'll stay on my knees in God's Word and work hard for God's glory at whatever I put my hand too.

As far as evangelism....its kind of different out here. Everybodies 'churched'? I told Amanda 'its like moral town, USA out here'. Nothing like street evangelism on Bardstown Road with the Jude 23 Network. I may have to go into Lexington to find a more diverse spot. I'll just pray for grace to witness to those God brings along my path. But one encouraging witness encounter I had back in Louisville seems to have developed into something. A few weeks ago the Lord open the door for me to share the gospel with a former teammate from high school. He seemed to really take to heart our conversation so I gave him Mark Cahill's book, "One heartbeat away" and just prayed that God would move in His heart.

I got an email from him the first day I got to Wilmore that really encouraged me. He told me he's been reading the bible and has nearly finished 'One heartbeat away' and its blowing his mind. He had a few great questions about the faith and said he had been thinking about spiritual things but nothing really clicked until I witnessed to him and gave him the book. I'm praying that God will open his eyes and I've told him that God requires everything from him with the offer of eternal life & a cross. For now I asked him to read the parable of the soils in Luke 8 so that he understands his situation. 3 out of 4 people heard the word and fell away, but only one soil heard, understood & then produced fruit. I don't want this young man to fall away and decieve himself, I want him to repent & believe the gospel.