THE BELIEVER’S GUIDE FOR SHARING GOD’S LOVE WITH THE WORLD

Edward O’Hara

In witnessing to the unbelieving world we can come to know how to read the Bible for all it’s worth. And how to take what we read and apply it to our witness when we are trying to help someone understand their need for Jesus. And how that when we do all of this we learn that it is not about bringing them under the condemnation of the devil by telling them that they are guilty before God for anything they or someone else may have done. Because Paul taught that it is the goodness of God, not severity, that leads a man to repentance. To do this,

1st We need to understand that it is because Adam was natural, not spiritual when God made him that creates our need for Jesus. 

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.” 1Cor.15:45,46

2nd the Bible tells us that all men are natural, not spiritual when they are conceived just as Adam was when God made him. 

“The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” 1Cor.15:47-49

3rd It is because all men including Adam are not spiritual from conception/being made that they can not inherit the kingdom of God.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” 1Cor.15:50

4th This is why all men including Adam need to be born of the Spirit. 

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John3:5,6

5th Only after a man is born of the Spirit does he become eligible for immortality. 

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1Cor.15:51-54

From these we see how clearly the scripture says that from the time God made him Adam was not equipped for the kingdom of God. And neither is anyone else when they are conceived. This is why it was in God’s plan from before the world was made as we see in 1Peter1:20 and Rev.13:8 that Jesus had to die. Not to be punished in our place to appease God’s wrath. It’s the other guy who requires that. But, that it was to defeat mortality/death that Jesus had to die. So that all who will believe in Him will have eternal life/immortality. 

So mankind including Adam needed Jesus not because Adam’s sin made all men evil. And someone had to be punished for that evil so God’s wrath would be appeased. No, a thousand times no. It was because only by faith in Jesus and His resurrection are men made spiritual beings and therefore eligible to inherit the kingdom of God. This is why Paul wrote,

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom.8:11-17

Why does Paul say that men need to mortify the deeds of the body? Is it because those deeds are evil? Not necessarily. It’s because the natural man lives by the desires of the flesh. Desires that God said were “very good” when He made Adam. And desires that John says are of the world in 1John2:16. Again, not because they are evil desires. But, because they are natural and not spiritual. And to remain such means we can not inherit God’s kingdom. Because Paul plainly states that it is because the Spirit of God witnesses now with the spirit that Jesus said in John3:5,6 was birthed in us when we were born again that we are the sons of God. And as sons we are heirs. Heirs because we are now equipped by being made spiritual to live in God’s kingdom. 

So when we share God’s love with others we must do as Paul instructs believers in Jesus to do. When we share we do not make a person feel condemned by making them admit they have done bad things. To the contrary, Paul teaches that we are to tell them they are not condemned here in 2Cor.5:19,20. He writes, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 

Now as Christ’s ambassador I am asking those of you who have never trusted in Him, will you now trust in Jesus to be born of His Spirit? Will you be made an heir to God’s kingdom so that you will live forever in His love, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit? If you have believed in Jesus and will confess Him as Lord. And if you believe that Jesus has raised from the dead to conquer death for all mankind. And if you want God’s gift of eternal life. Then please pray with me now. 

Dear Jesus, Thank you for conquering death and mortality by your resurrection from the dead. Thank you for not imputing my sins to me. Thank you that you freely give me your gift of eternal life just because you love me. I receive your gift now. Help me to live for you as I learn of you and your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

If you prayed with me then praise Jesus and welcome to God’s family. Now as you read the Bible believe what is plainly written on it’s pages. Learn what it means to trust in Jesus as He trusted in the Father. And come back here often to hear the word of God preached. 

See you there or in the air!

You can listen to this message at YouTube

By Edward O’Hara