The third challenge we face in evangelism is the "I can't believe it" response after people have heard the gospel.

             Let's not be discouraged by such response; because the person may be just a step away from believing! When he said "I can't believe it," he is sending us two signals:

             First, he finds it rationally unacceptable.

             Second, he feels emotional.

             In sharing the gospel, if have done our best with a carefully designed non-threatening meeting circumstance, prepared examples, testimonies, and sound logic to justify the credibility of the gospel, those who have heard our presentation may be moved by our enthusiasm and sincerity. However, when it came to the point of decision, everything fell apart! We are left wondering ‘why’?

             The reason has to do with the gospel ordained by God.

             18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

             19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;     the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

             20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18-21)

            The message of the cross is simple and easy to understand. It only requires people to believe that Jesus is God, that he was born of a virgin, that he was crucified to atone for the sins of the world, and that he was raised from the dead. Rational explanations are there to bridge and pave the way for faith, but they cannot replace faith itself. Ultimately, the gospel must be received by exercising faith.

            When a person is considering whether to believe, he is faced with the prospect of being "watched" and "supervised" by an omniscient and omnipresent God; a terrifying prospect unless he has tasted God's love. Besides, he has no idea what it means to follow Jesus and walk with God. It is normal for him to feel uneasy. How, then, can we help people take a "leap of faith"?

             We must believe in the word of God: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) How do we practice such belief? We should pray for him who ‘can't believe’; teach and show him to pray; design an opportunity for him to pray; encourage him to pray, accompany him to pray, and even invite him to pray for us. Of course, we should do so respectfully according to his pace. If we tenderly guide him through the experience of God, nothing can stop him from making a leap of faith, once he has tasted the truth of God’s gospel. 

                                         應對「我無法相信」

           第三個難題是人聽完福音之後,向我們作出「我無法相信」的回應。

           遇到這樣的回應,我們不要氣餒;因爲那人可能正來到門外,只需跨越門檻就進門了!他表示「無法相信」,是給我們發出兩個信號:

            一、理性上難以接受。

            二、感性上覺得不安。

               在傳福音的事上,我們都盡了能力;用許多的愛心付出、許多例子,許多見證,許多邏輯等來辯明福音之可信。聽的人也可能被我們的熱情和真誠所感動,但到臨門的一腳,就是跨不過去。原因與神所制定的福音有關。

               18因為十字架的道理,在那滅亡的人為愚拙;在我們得救的人,卻為神的大能。19就如經上所記:我要滅絕智慧人的智慧,廢棄聰明人的聰明。20智慧人在那裡?文士在那裡?這世上的辯士在那裡?神豈不是叫這世上的智慧變成愚拙嗎?21世人憑自己的智慧,既不認識神,神就樂意用人所當作愚拙的道理,拯救那些信的人;這就是神的智慧了。(哥林多前書 1:18-21)

               十字架的道理沒什麼超凡理論,需要人絞盡腦汁才能理解。它只需要人相信耶穌是神、相信他爲童女所生、相信他被釘十字架乃爲世人贖罪、又相信他從死裏復活就行了。理性的解釋只能爲「相信」搭橋、鋪路,但不能取代「相信」。最終,福音還是要用意志去接受。

              相信的人也意味著要接受一位無所不知、無所不在的神所「監視」、「督促」;在他還沒嘗過神的愛之前,這是一個可怕的遠景。況且,他對跟從耶穌、與神同行是什麼一回事,毫無經驗。他若感到不安,也屬正常。那我們如何幫助人踏出「信心的飛躍」?

             我們要相信神的話:凡求告主名的,就必得救。(羅 10:13)我們如何實踐這信心?我們要爲他禱告;教導和示範他禱告;設計一些自然環境讓他禱告;引導他禱告、陪他禱告、鼓勵他禱告、甚至邀請他爲我們禱告;只要不壓迫,循循善誘的讓他有機會經歷神的信實。當他親自嘗過神的恩,就誰也不能攔阻他邁出信心的一步。

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