Witness without giving false witness.

Every day there is one podcast I must listen to. Now what this is has seemed to change frequently since the school year began. For a while I could not miss any of the Bible Answer Man (Hank is alright and has some good things to say, but I feel now I've heard the majority of what people call in about anyway). Then I was REALLY into John MacArthur's morning show podcast as he was preaching a series on the Doctrines of Grace (election, Calvinism, predestination, etc). But for over a month now, my thirst is for the Way of the Master Radio podcast. The Way of the Master is an organization of sorts headed by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (yes... that actor from Growing Pains and the Left Behind films), whose radio show is hosted by Todd Friel. I was first introduced to Mr. Friel over the summer when I ran across a video of his on YouTube entitled "Response to Bullhorn Guy" (a response made to counter the crazy crap in Rob Bell's Nooma video on a similar topic).

Anyway... the program really is well done and is aligned with solid biblical teachings along the lines of MacArthur, Piper, Washer, and others unafraid to speak the truth of God's Holy Word. I really like WOTM Radio and how witnessing is presented -- that is, you lovingly approach an individual and share with them God's law (the 10 Commandments) and ask how their lives compare with God's standard. After this, the example is to then share the gospel with the person, urging them to not just "ask God for forgiveness," but to repent and believe the gospel. I only have one little problem with their model of witnessing-- during these witnessing segments Todd or Ray will tell the person being witnessed to that "Jesus died for your sins."

What is wrong with this? Well other than seeming very man-centered, it may not be the truth. What did Jesus do on the cross? Did he merely suffer FOR sin? Or did his death PAY THE PRICE for sin? It is because of Christ's atoning sacrifice that we can have new life. His death actually paid the price for the sins I have committed.

The problem with telling someone who isn't a Christian "Christ died for your sins,"... is that well... maybe he didn't. I mean, we don't know who is going to be saved and who won't be. Why would this matter? Well, if Christ died for the sins of those persons who do not repent and believe the gospel... why would they end up in Hell? I mean, wouldn't he have also died for the sin of unbelief?? And if he takes away our sins on the cross, why would they pay for their sins in Hell? God would be double-charging them for their sins... Christ would have first paid for it on the cross, and then the individual would have to pay for it for eternity in Hell. So after all, maybe Christ didn't die for the sins of the person we are witnessing to.

HOW CAN WE WITNESS THEN?! Well... explaining that we are bound to sin, and that Christ paid the penalty for sin, and then asking the person if they would repent and believe. OR saying something like "Jesus paid the penalty that sin demands for all who will believe -- will you repent and believe the gospel today?" After all, "this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22-24). Any who repent and believe the gospel as presented in the Holy Scriptures WILL be saved. It is given freely by God and not a result of works, so that no man may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I think we can witness to people without spreading false witness.

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