Bible Studies

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In my view arguments never really won anyone for Christ. If we can argue someone into Christianity someone else can argue them out of it, says Nicky Gumbel in the Alpha Course. We can present the gospel, show love and acceptance and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. Every person has been given enough faith to find salvation and it is ultimately up to them to use it.

There again, much questioning and protestations could be evidence that the Holy Spirit is working. After all many can say, like C.S. Lewis, that they came to faith, "kicking and screaming", in that he did not want to believe, but could not refute the evidence. If one keeps an open heart there is plenty of proof, that will help a person find the truth, if they have courage to receive it.

1Pe 3:15 But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. GW

I think the key phrase here is "Always be ready to defend YOUR CONFIDENCE in God when anyone asks you"

We can explain to those who are interested why we believe as we do, but we do not have a mandate to debate or argue. We cannot convince anyone by our words to believe, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. You can talk till your blue in the face, but until someone is ready it is not profitable for them, or you.

Jesus was very blunt about it when he advises us not to cast our pearls before swine. The message is clearly that if a person is not ready to understand or appreciate or believe, move on.

As the Bible puts it in 2Co 3:14 The people were stubborn, and something still keeps them from seeing the truth when the Law is read. Only Christ can take away the covering that keeps them from seeing. CEV

2Co 3:16 But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. GW

2Co 4:4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. As a result, they don't see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory. It is Christ who is God's image. GW

It takes a little bit of faith that God gives every person and we can use it if we choose.

Rom 12:3 I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. GW

When we realize it is the 'god of this world', Satan, that blinds the minds of people, and stops them seeing the truth, then we know that we as believers have the authority to command in Jesus' name that the veil to be removed from their minds, so that Jesus can been seen clearly for who He is, and then individuals can make a enlightened decision, either to accept His offer or not.

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