Students Discussion--"Evangelism--Why Bother...?"

I'm glad this was a topic of discussion after I left. It is very important that we settle this issue once and for all.

While it is true that God is sovereign in His electing grace, it is also true that he has ordained the method of drawing His people to Himself. We are never called upon to make inferences on God's sovereignty in election ("if God is sovereign in election,.. then we needn't bother"). When people do this they step into the dangerous heresy of hyper-Calvinism. Here is a helpful chart comparing Calvinism to Arminianism and hyper-Calvinism.

Scripture clearly teaches that God has chosen to use people as his instruments of the Great Commission:

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation --Mark 16:15 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... --Matthew 28:19 ESV

But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? --Romans 10:14 ESV

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. --1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV

So what difference does God's sovereignty in election make? Tons! Because we know that God is in total control:

• We know that we are called to be faithful rather than successful (no guilt if the person doesn't believe). We don't have to resort to gimmicks, trickery, or worldly salesmanship!
  
• We can know that we are merely instruments in the hand of God and can just watch in awe as He uses us.
  
• We can know that it isn't a waste of time to pray for people's salvation (non-Calvinists are asking God to do what they claim He would never do... impose His saving will on people)
  

Why bother? --It is the most amazing privilege you can imagine. It is active love motivated by gratitude for God's grace. It is active obedience motivated by a reverent fear of the Holy God who holds all things in his hands!

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Jesus Christ, quoted by John in his gospel, Ch.14:15 ESV

Remember the Great Commission quoted above? In terms of the commandments of God -- It's a biggy!

The question isn't "why bother?" it's "what are you waiting for?"

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Another related error goes this way "if God is only going to save the elect, then how can/do we know who..."

We don't and we are never told to even try! We are told to faithfully preach the gospel to all. God will take care of the rest.

Rule of Thumb: Don't make inferences (if ... then...) based on God's sovereignty (unless it is: if God is sovereign, then I can take comfort/stand in awe ...). Making wrong inferences like these are easy to recognize because they violate the clear teachings of our call to obedience and faithfulness to God.