Today, we wanted to illustrate why we share the gospel with every one of our students, the results the gospel has in every situation and how it is the answer to every spiritual problem and question. Please notice how the student below changed from, being "defeated," to having his "burden lifted," and shifting from wanting to "win arguments" to instead sharing "Christ crucified."
Below is the interaction between a Setting Captives Free student and his mentor.
Student writes, "I feel so tired and defeated now... Jehovah's Witnesses came to my gate - lovely people - but what a frustration. How can we get the truth through to them if they think the same of us? How can they be convinced? And then they probably think, how can we be convinced? What does one do???!!!"
Mentor writes, "_______, you are going to be shocked when you read my answer. We "lift up the cross" and allow the Spirit to apply the gospel to the heart. As you remember Peter preached the gospel (that Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day) and immediately following these words were recorded for us, "Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Share the gospel for it is the antidote for everything and everyone! The gospel changes the heart and mind. The gospel is where we find forgiveness and hope. It is where we meet our own death and resurrection."
Student writes, "So you are saying that even with JWs, the best offense/defense is just the gospel. Let the Spirit carry it to their hearts instead of winning the argument. Let the Spirit do the talking through the gospel? Let the hearer listen or not?"
Mentor writes, "You got it, brother! Just yesterday, I was talking with a dear friend of mine, and he was sharing his frustration about his family. I told him that he should love those who do not deserve our love, as God loved us, sending His Son to die while we were sinners (Romans 5:8).
During this conversation, the mentor shared how his family will only be united with the love of Christ in the gospel. Living in the flesh separates people because it always desires its own way; however, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ always unites, because, at the cross, our flesh is put to death in Christ!
Later, after the meeting, the student sent this in a group text, "I always get edified, encouraged and redirected when you guys show me the cross and how it applies." This is how sharing the gospel affected one heart. The only way anyone can be saved, sanctified, edified, redirected, encouraged, etc., is sharing the gospel–the power of God (Romans 1:16).
Our merely human arguments will leave the captive chained up and hopeless. We may walk away excited that we "won an argument" and can now boast "in the flesh," while our hearers walk away still "dead in sin" (Ephesians 2:1) and without hope! But if we had shared the gospel instead of attempting to "win an argument" they could have at least walked away with a "seed in their heart," or maybe even be "cut to the heart" and healed by the wounds of Jesus!!!"
Student writes, "The power of God unto salvation. That's 'all' it takes, and yet it took God everything. We should not get in the way with our own arguments. Let the gospel pierce the heart. What more can we do, but just that. Thank you, brother. In fact, even learning to share just the gospel is another burden the Lord lifts from us. In the end, it all comes down to Christ and Him crucified."
Question 1: What was the initial condition and concern of the student?
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Question 2: What made the difference in this conversation between the student and his mentor?
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Question 3: What was the students conclusion of the conversation?
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Question 4: Do you have any additional thoughts about this exchange between the student and his mentor? Please share them here.
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Ann writes, “These testimonies are all very encouraging. For years I have been afraid to "witness" because I thought it was about my own testimony which has its ups and downs. Now I see again that my focus needs to be simply that Jesus died according to the scriptures, that he was buried and resurrected on the 3rd day according to the scriptures. Then get out of the way and let Him work! How thankful I am for these courses at Setting Captives Free.”