It's time to consider the idea of being born again. In John 3, (as always, if you are reading this, go read the passage to refresh your memory) Nicodemus approached Jesus with a couple questions. Jesus tells him he must be born again in order to see Heaven. This concept confuses Nicodemus because he does not hear the implication of spiritual birth in the comment.
The concept of spiritual birth is astonishing to me. Its as if to say, we are not even truly alive until we allow the Spirit of God to create in us a brand new existence. II Corinthians 5:17-21 says we are actually a new creation when we are in Christ. This is not symbolic or otherwise allegorical. Everything about us is new. One thing we are newly made to be when we are born again is Ambassadors for Christ, pleading - as though God was speaking through us - with the world, imploring them on Christs behalf to be reconciled to God (v. 20)
The call to salvation is a call to ministry. The two are inextricably bound. One cannot truly be said to be born again, that wondrous new creation, without struggling to save as many as possible, lost in the overly twisted world.
II Corinthians 6:4-10 tells how we must approach our role as ministers of God. Let nothing deter or discourage us, but always persevere seeking to do His work.
I'm keeping this one short, but hopefully you find it helpful. The more I explore the role of sharing the faith in the life of the Christian, the more I am convinced the two are inseperable. The Bible truly seems to demonstrate over and over that if a person truly wants to consider themself a follower of Christ, there is no way they can keep quiet about their faith. True Christianity requires crying out to those around us. Only by trying to offer the direction of salvation to our family, friends, neighbors and strangers can we possibly live the full Christian life as Jesus expected us to.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I Peter 3-12 talks about some wonderful and disturbing things. It is our faith in the grace of Christ that affords us wondrous salvation, but it is that salvation that brings trial and pain. We are going to suffer as a result of our committment to Christ. Peter rejoices in our faith. We, who have not seen Christ show greater faith than even the disciples by believing in Christ for our salvation. Our faith is literally more precious than gold. Even the prophets, who operated using the power of the Holy Spirit, longed for what we now so readily take for granted.
We have eternal salvation, not in the future, but right this moment we are already saved. Even further, we already possess access to the Holy Spirit and His power as granted in compensation and comfort for the loss of the personal presence of Jesus. Until He returns, we remain empowered and blessed with sure hope in the knowledge of our promised redemption.
As the 70 servants of Christ were empowered to go forth and accomplish the aims of our Lord (Luke 10), so are we similarly empowered by the Holy Spirit. This power is readily available to us, but why don't we see it? The answer is simple. We aren't using it. By that I mean we aren't pushing the boundaries of the possible in trying to serve God. We aren't serving. We are servants who refuse to serve. In what way can we expect to see the miraculous if we do not provide for God a forum in which to perform His astonishing acts?
God even manipulated the universe so that each of us who already "serve" Him would come to our own personal place of surrender. (Ephesians 1:11 - not really trying to set up a discussion about free will vs predestination, let's just say I believe scripture teaches both in roughly equal measure. You want to talk about it, let me know) Our submission to Him gives Him glory, not in our act of surrender, but seperately as His sovreignty is revealed in His will being brought to pass in fulfillment of His plans for us in our own salvation. After all, who but God could accomplish not only the act of redemption, but bring us to the point where we willingly submit to Him despite our sinful nature?
We have eternal salvation, not in the future, but right this moment we are already saved. Even further, we already possess access to the Holy Spirit and His power as granted in compensation and comfort for the loss of the personal presence of Jesus. Until He returns, we remain empowered and blessed with sure hope in the knowledge of our promised redemption.
As the 70 servants of Christ were empowered to go forth and accomplish the aims of our Lord (Luke 10), so are we similarly empowered by the Holy Spirit. This power is readily available to us, but why don't we see it? The answer is simple. We aren't using it. By that I mean we aren't pushing the boundaries of the possible in trying to serve God. We aren't serving. We are servants who refuse to serve. In what way can we expect to see the miraculous if we do not provide for God a forum in which to perform His astonishing acts?
God even manipulated the universe so that each of us who already "serve" Him would come to our own personal place of surrender. (Ephesians 1:11 - not really trying to set up a discussion about free will vs predestination, let's just say I believe scripture teaches both in roughly equal measure. You want to talk about it, let me know) Our submission to Him gives Him glory, not in our act of surrender, but seperately as His sovreignty is revealed in His will being brought to pass in fulfillment of His plans for us in our own salvation. After all, who but God could accomplish not only the act of redemption, but bring us to the point where we willingly submit to Him despite our sinful nature?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
A few weeks ago, I was teaching a class, and had them all up in arms about my take on Luke 8, which I have already related here, which requires us to declare our message. They were firmly convinced that what mattered most, if not exclusively, was showing our love for others and Jesus. Luke 10 shows that at times love can, in and of itself, be a most effective means of reaching others. (in the parable of the good samaritan) Still, this does little to grow us. Our level of reproduction, if we wish to actually be good soil, must be much higher. Love is simple obedience, and a side effect of serving Jesus.
Meanwhile, the 70 were sent out to confront every kind of evil, and when rebuffed, moved on with declarations of judgment against those who rejected the message. (I suggest you go read Luke 10 to catch the whole idea. What they said they said at the command of Jesus.) It was not love that was rejected, but the act of sharing Jesus' message was enough to force some of His servants out of town. While demons of every kind might have been forced into submission by the name of Jesus, still the people of those towns rejected the message.
Luke 10 teaches an interesting lesson, about the power of the church. Jesus ordered His followers to go and heal the sick. These people had a direct conduit to God's power (even as we do today) and were able to speak in the confidence of those who knew God was going to support them. While they were serving the will of Jesus Christ himself, we are infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, and promised His power as His followers.
There are very few places today in the church today where God's power is being called upon to demonstrate His love. We CANNOT continue this way. We simply are not strong enough or charismatic enough to change the world without God's power. Throughout scripture, His servants have ALWAYS been free to call upon His power. Jesus told His servants to go forth and do miraculous things. I don't understand how we can expect to make progress bringing people to God without showing them His power. It is the way He chooses to show Himself, and yet we constantly seek to make it work without Him.
It is time we again come to embrace our role as His SERVANTS, and begin to serve Him as He would have us do. We need to let God be God, doing what He does best, while we are simply there to help and not get in the way.
What is it God wants us to be doing? Is it something impossible? When the opportunity presents itself, are you going to be ready to do it? Do you know how? Are you ready? Might want to be.
Meanwhile, the 70 were sent out to confront every kind of evil, and when rebuffed, moved on with declarations of judgment against those who rejected the message. (I suggest you go read Luke 10 to catch the whole idea. What they said they said at the command of Jesus.) It was not love that was rejected, but the act of sharing Jesus' message was enough to force some of His servants out of town. While demons of every kind might have been forced into submission by the name of Jesus, still the people of those towns rejected the message.
Luke 10 teaches an interesting lesson, about the power of the church. Jesus ordered His followers to go and heal the sick. These people had a direct conduit to God's power (even as we do today) and were able to speak in the confidence of those who knew God was going to support them. While they were serving the will of Jesus Christ himself, we are infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, and promised His power as His followers.
There are very few places today in the church today where God's power is being called upon to demonstrate His love. We CANNOT continue this way. We simply are not strong enough or charismatic enough to change the world without God's power. Throughout scripture, His servants have ALWAYS been free to call upon His power. Jesus told His servants to go forth and do miraculous things. I don't understand how we can expect to make progress bringing people to God without showing them His power. It is the way He chooses to show Himself, and yet we constantly seek to make it work without Him.
It is time we again come to embrace our role as His SERVANTS, and begin to serve Him as He would have us do. We need to let God be God, doing what He does best, while we are simply there to help and not get in the way.
What is it God wants us to be doing? Is it something impossible? When the opportunity presents itself, are you going to be ready to do it? Do you know how? Are you ready? Might want to be.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Ephesians 2:8-10 talks about the reality of the gift of salvation, how it is just the grace of God extended to us which can only be accepted through our faith (belief that it is true, even in the face of evidence to the contrary). There is no consideration of our specialness, and especially not our worthiness in the offering, or even our acceptance, of this gift.
There is no reason for any Christian to have an attitude of superiority or judgment toward anyone. Nothing we have done, or will ever do, will be enough to merit or warrant our salvation. There is NO amount of good works that obtain us the honor of salvation.
This balances the books for all. No Christian can boast, because their salvation is all equal. All are unworthy, deserving only death, but all can be saved if they will just call on the name of Jesus in faith. There is no one whose crimes are too heinous to forgive, nor any who, without redemption in the gift of Jesus blood, can obtain Heaven on their merits alone. We are ALL sinners. Even salvation does nothing to change that. We are still sinners, striving to overcome our vile nature and emulate Jesus.
Our lack of worth is not something over which we should hang our heads. We have no choice but to be who we are. However, we cannot allow our base nature to be used as a justification for our failings. We will all fail on occasion. We must use those failings to drive us closer to Jesus, as we seek forgiveness and to strengthen our relationship with Him. We must also strive to do better, calling upon the Holy Spirit to shore up our meager defenses and to teach us how to become overcomers.
Look again at Galations 5:22. Self-Control. Tough concept, but a central one. It is something very few of us adequately demonstrate. We cling to our RIGHT to do things and defend ourselves, our possessions, and our rights. God is less concerned about our rights and a lot more concerned about our behavior.
We are placed in a special situation. We are called upon to interact with the world, but not be part of it. We don't need to compromise our beliefs and say something God says is sin is not. We need to be firm in our obedience to the Lord. However, it seems each time I try to share the message of Jesus with others, I find people who have been offended by believers who were callous in their view of the person to whom they are speaking. I am forever apologizing for Christians who, while right to say something was sinful, forgot the LOVE of God. When speaking to others, we must continue to focus on the fact that we are only trying to reach them because of the love of God He already displayed to us. Love needs to be the central part of our message, not judgment. Time to focus on loving the sinner, and seperating that from our distaste for their sin. Love is what people should remember after we've shared Jesus with them.
There is no reason for any Christian to have an attitude of superiority or judgment toward anyone. Nothing we have done, or will ever do, will be enough to merit or warrant our salvation. There is NO amount of good works that obtain us the honor of salvation.
This balances the books for all. No Christian can boast, because their salvation is all equal. All are unworthy, deserving only death, but all can be saved if they will just call on the name of Jesus in faith. There is no one whose crimes are too heinous to forgive, nor any who, without redemption in the gift of Jesus blood, can obtain Heaven on their merits alone. We are ALL sinners. Even salvation does nothing to change that. We are still sinners, striving to overcome our vile nature and emulate Jesus.
Our lack of worth is not something over which we should hang our heads. We have no choice but to be who we are. However, we cannot allow our base nature to be used as a justification for our failings. We will all fail on occasion. We must use those failings to drive us closer to Jesus, as we seek forgiveness and to strengthen our relationship with Him. We must also strive to do better, calling upon the Holy Spirit to shore up our meager defenses and to teach us how to become overcomers.
Look again at Galations 5:22. Self-Control. Tough concept, but a central one. It is something very few of us adequately demonstrate. We cling to our RIGHT to do things and defend ourselves, our possessions, and our rights. God is less concerned about our rights and a lot more concerned about our behavior.
We are placed in a special situation. We are called upon to interact with the world, but not be part of it. We don't need to compromise our beliefs and say something God says is sin is not. We need to be firm in our obedience to the Lord. However, it seems each time I try to share the message of Jesus with others, I find people who have been offended by believers who were callous in their view of the person to whom they are speaking. I am forever apologizing for Christians who, while right to say something was sinful, forgot the LOVE of God. When speaking to others, we must continue to focus on the fact that we are only trying to reach them because of the love of God He already displayed to us. Love needs to be the central part of our message, not judgment. Time to focus on loving the sinner, and seperating that from our distaste for their sin. Love is what people should remember after we've shared Jesus with them.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Going Beyond the Sharing
So, clearly the onus is on the believers to get off their seats and get their mouths to talking about Jesus. But if we are looking to develop new Christians with any hope of long-term success, we need to have more on hand than the message of salvation. We are told to go and make disciples. This is much more than simply speaking the gospel at people. We need to get involved in their lives and see them changed.
The end of true evangelism doesn't begin until the baby Christian is delivered safely into a system of discipleship that will move them quickly toward maturity. What are the basics a person needs to know? It could be everything from how to pray or worship, to an entire reconsideration of their life. What actions that are part of their daily life are actually sin? Much of a new believer's life is going to be disrupted if they are going to be brought into genuine submission to the will of God.
This is also a time of great danger. Looking back at Luke 8, we see either the thorns or rocks or the birds are all eager to see the believer's journey end here. Satan will put every conceivable obstacle in the path of this vulnerable baby. Without someone to guide them into the world of their new faith, the new believer is in danger of losing what they have so recently accepted. Before the roots of faith can even take hold, Satan will throw every enticement and torment he can conceive in their path with the hope he can dislodge their grip on the one thing that can put the new Christian firmly in God's hands, and far beyond his reach.
Left to their own devices, baby Christians will no more be ready to resist the wiles of the devil than an infant thrown into a swimming pool could be expected to swim. We must begin to look beyond the momentary obedience of sharing the gospel and instead listen to what Jesus actually said. Go and MAKE DISCIPLES. How can we possibly imagine our responsibility ends once someone has given their life to Jesus? It doesn't. It's just beginning. Jesus spent three years with His disciples getting them ready. Can we really expect to have new Christians ready to fend for themselves in less time?
Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for spending his time among sinners. From there we can draw our example. True evangelism requires actually getting involved in the lives of the people we want to see saved. It is more than just preaching a message a people and hoping it sticks. We are to be examples to people. How are we to be an example to anyone if we don't involve ourselves with them? It is time for Christians to look beyond the concept of word evangelism. While we are to speak the truth of the gospel message, we must live it. The unbelievers around us must not only see who we are and hear it from our lips, but must know us as we are already among them, showing His love.
The end of true evangelism doesn't begin until the baby Christian is delivered safely into a system of discipleship that will move them quickly toward maturity. What are the basics a person needs to know? It could be everything from how to pray or worship, to an entire reconsideration of their life. What actions that are part of their daily life are actually sin? Much of a new believer's life is going to be disrupted if they are going to be brought into genuine submission to the will of God.
This is also a time of great danger. Looking back at Luke 8, we see either the thorns or rocks or the birds are all eager to see the believer's journey end here. Satan will put every conceivable obstacle in the path of this vulnerable baby. Without someone to guide them into the world of their new faith, the new believer is in danger of losing what they have so recently accepted. Before the roots of faith can even take hold, Satan will throw every enticement and torment he can conceive in their path with the hope he can dislodge their grip on the one thing that can put the new Christian firmly in God's hands, and far beyond his reach.
Left to their own devices, baby Christians will no more be ready to resist the wiles of the devil than an infant thrown into a swimming pool could be expected to swim. We must begin to look beyond the momentary obedience of sharing the gospel and instead listen to what Jesus actually said. Go and MAKE DISCIPLES. How can we possibly imagine our responsibility ends once someone has given their life to Jesus? It doesn't. It's just beginning. Jesus spent three years with His disciples getting them ready. Can we really expect to have new Christians ready to fend for themselves in less time?
Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees for spending his time among sinners. From there we can draw our example. True evangelism requires actually getting involved in the lives of the people we want to see saved. It is more than just preaching a message a people and hoping it sticks. We are to be examples to people. How are we to be an example to anyone if we don't involve ourselves with them? It is time for Christians to look beyond the concept of word evangelism. While we are to speak the truth of the gospel message, we must live it. The unbelievers around us must not only see who we are and hear it from our lips, but must know us as we are already among them, showing His love.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What kind of tree you gonna be?
Mark 11:12-26 deals with an important lesson of the power of God when applied in faith. But is that all we find here? Certainly the lesson of what Jesus accomplishes is essential, but what of the tree itself? Is there a lesson to learn in the fate of the unfruitful tree. Luke 8:18 seems to indicate so. Revelation 3:16 says something similar. (please feel free to read any and all of these as we go along) If we are neither hot or cold for God, He will reject us. He wants nothing to do with those whose faith and resulting actions are luke warm.
When we embrace the lifestyle of the thorny ground, we run the risk of allowing our tepid response to God end up costing us. What exactly it will cost us is perhaps in question, but it would not be unreasonable to consider any possible punishment.
It seems clear when Jesus curses the unfruitful tree, He is making a point. He answers the disciples question about HOW the withering of the tree is possible, but I wonder if maybe they weren't asking the wrong question. Isn't the important thing here WHY Jesus did what He did?
Jesus is not prone to meaningless fits of temper. When He takes an action, even when angry, He does it with a specific purpose. Anger, when held in God's control is not wrong or misdirected. This is a display with meaning. This tree Jesus cursed failed to fulfill it's purpose. It was therefore useless and not worth keeping. When Jesus cursed it, He was rendering judgment against it. If we, as Christians, are also not fruitful, do we not run the risk of being judged, and fairly so, as useless by God? I don't know what form that judgment might take, but I am not eager to find out. If the spiritual ennui of the church can indeed be likened to the failed fig tree, how can we expect to continue to scoff God's commandments and NOT be judged eventually?
This is not generally the direction in which I want to focus my attention, but it is an unavoidable avenue of consideration when looking at the parable of the sower and connecting it to Jesus' actions with the unfruitful tree, especially in light of Revelation 3:16. Don't we need to consider the two-edged sword of being God's servant? Jonah knew how much obedience God expected from His people. While we are told to obey God out of our love for Him, we must also consider the alternative. God expects us to be diligently working on His behalf, and it is reasonable to assume He is willing to force our hand if we choose not to comply willingly.
It is the same concept we are forced to embrace when sharing the message of Jesus with unbelievers. While we wish to convey the depth of Jesus' love and compassion for us, it is the threat of Hell from which He saves us. There is a real, true, final judgment that comes, and it is for that reason we are urgently called to make disciples of all. There is only one answer to an eternity without God. Jesus saves.
This brings us back to our consideration of our obedient service to God. If we, who are blessed to know Him and enjoy the riches of His grace are not willing to share that bounty with the desperate and dying around us, we are craven cowards who have allowed the thorny soil of our hearts to choke off the true message of Jesus to the point where we cannot really call ourselves His servants.
Concerns for our own comfort, pleasure and interests have forced Jesus out of the throne of our hearts, and we have laid claim to the place that was rightfully given over to Him when we offered Him rulership of our lives in exchange for blessed salvation. Is there any way we can be surrendered to Jesus, without being willing to take up His calling and carry forth His message to a lost and broken world?
Jesus' parting shot; His final words while on Earth was to GO forth and spread the message of the Gospel. (see Mark 16:15-18) Clearly it was a priority. The only thing that makes the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary work, is if the believers, His servants, GO and proclaim the truth. The grace of Jesus cannot be extended to a person who is not given an opportunity to know Him.
When we embrace the lifestyle of the thorny ground, we run the risk of allowing our tepid response to God end up costing us. What exactly it will cost us is perhaps in question, but it would not be unreasonable to consider any possible punishment.
It seems clear when Jesus curses the unfruitful tree, He is making a point. He answers the disciples question about HOW the withering of the tree is possible, but I wonder if maybe they weren't asking the wrong question. Isn't the important thing here WHY Jesus did what He did?
Jesus is not prone to meaningless fits of temper. When He takes an action, even when angry, He does it with a specific purpose. Anger, when held in God's control is not wrong or misdirected. This is a display with meaning. This tree Jesus cursed failed to fulfill it's purpose. It was therefore useless and not worth keeping. When Jesus cursed it, He was rendering judgment against it. If we, as Christians, are also not fruitful, do we not run the risk of being judged, and fairly so, as useless by God? I don't know what form that judgment might take, but I am not eager to find out. If the spiritual ennui of the church can indeed be likened to the failed fig tree, how can we expect to continue to scoff God's commandments and NOT be judged eventually?
This is not generally the direction in which I want to focus my attention, but it is an unavoidable avenue of consideration when looking at the parable of the sower and connecting it to Jesus' actions with the unfruitful tree, especially in light of Revelation 3:16. Don't we need to consider the two-edged sword of being God's servant? Jonah knew how much obedience God expected from His people. While we are told to obey God out of our love for Him, we must also consider the alternative. God expects us to be diligently working on His behalf, and it is reasonable to assume He is willing to force our hand if we choose not to comply willingly.
It is the same concept we are forced to embrace when sharing the message of Jesus with unbelievers. While we wish to convey the depth of Jesus' love and compassion for us, it is the threat of Hell from which He saves us. There is a real, true, final judgment that comes, and it is for that reason we are urgently called to make disciples of all. There is only one answer to an eternity without God. Jesus saves.
This brings us back to our consideration of our obedient service to God. If we, who are blessed to know Him and enjoy the riches of His grace are not willing to share that bounty with the desperate and dying around us, we are craven cowards who have allowed the thorny soil of our hearts to choke off the true message of Jesus to the point where we cannot really call ourselves His servants.
Concerns for our own comfort, pleasure and interests have forced Jesus out of the throne of our hearts, and we have laid claim to the place that was rightfully given over to Him when we offered Him rulership of our lives in exchange for blessed salvation. Is there any way we can be surrendered to Jesus, without being willing to take up His calling and carry forth His message to a lost and broken world?
Jesus' parting shot; His final words while on Earth was to GO forth and spread the message of the Gospel. (see Mark 16:15-18) Clearly it was a priority. The only thing that makes the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary work, is if the believers, His servants, GO and proclaim the truth. The grace of Jesus cannot be extended to a person who is not given an opportunity to know Him.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Roman's Road - A Path to Light?
Let's talk about the concept of light, which we came across at the end of Luke 8. John 3:19 picks up on this idea. Jesus (the light) came into the world. Evil men chose darkness over the light because the light showed their evil deeds for all to see. Those of us who do good (true) deeds seek out the light so our deeds can be demonstrated to be of God.
Perhaps this is an answer to why people who do not follow after Jesus experience such a reluctance to come before God. Opening ourselves up to Jesus forces us to confront our own inadequacy and evil. No one likes to be told they are unworthy, but it is true, no matter what angle you look at the problem from.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Now follow the inevitible line of Bible logic
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So we are lost, without hope except through Jesus. Good news for us actually.
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:13 - "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
These four verses together comprise the old "Roman's Road" approach to evangelism. They clearly lay out a direct path from the weight of our sin, it's direct consequence (death) and show why and how one can find salvation. Still, these verses seem more relevant than ever in light (no pun intended) of John 3. If sinners are ashamed to have their deeds seen in the light, the only answer is to understand that all are filled with sinful deeds, and it is for these exact sinners Jesus died. There are NONE worthy, and EVERYONE needs forgiveness and redemption.
I love Romans. It's a deep look into the mind of Paul. His attention was always on what was beyond this world. It is a unique and powerful view. He was so little concerned with the things of this world that he could even be said to have held them in disdain. This freed him from the fear and concern of the persecution and discomfort he suffered as a result of his service to Jesus. In fact, he carried his affliction (both imposed and personal) as badges of honor earned in service.
This is the key to overcoming the thorns. This is how we need to be. Unafraid of what happens when we speak out on behalf of our Lord. Though we may be ridiculed, mocked or even attacked for our beliefs or words, we are only experiencing a small part of what Jesus suffered, and should have joy that our faithful service is true and following in His perfect footsteps. (See Phil 1:27-30)
The "Roman's Road" is a traditional and perfectly valid way of sharing our faith. Feel free to use it if you like. The most important thing to remember here is that what we are truly there to offer is the third step. God demonstrates His love for us by offering us Christ to die for our sins. We are loved beyond all hope of comprehension. We share because we share in that love and would see none lost. I encourage you see the world through the eyes of Paul. He lived fearlessly and acted aggressively. Call on the Holy Spirit to give you boldness to act. Our time is not without end. Be a light in the world while we have the time.
Perhaps this is an answer to why people who do not follow after Jesus experience such a reluctance to come before God. Opening ourselves up to Jesus forces us to confront our own inadequacy and evil. No one likes to be told they are unworthy, but it is true, no matter what angle you look at the problem from.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Now follow the inevitible line of Bible logic
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So we are lost, without hope except through Jesus. Good news for us actually.
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 10:13 - "For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
These four verses together comprise the old "Roman's Road" approach to evangelism. They clearly lay out a direct path from the weight of our sin, it's direct consequence (death) and show why and how one can find salvation. Still, these verses seem more relevant than ever in light (no pun intended) of John 3. If sinners are ashamed to have their deeds seen in the light, the only answer is to understand that all are filled with sinful deeds, and it is for these exact sinners Jesus died. There are NONE worthy, and EVERYONE needs forgiveness and redemption.
I love Romans. It's a deep look into the mind of Paul. His attention was always on what was beyond this world. It is a unique and powerful view. He was so little concerned with the things of this world that he could even be said to have held them in disdain. This freed him from the fear and concern of the persecution and discomfort he suffered as a result of his service to Jesus. In fact, he carried his affliction (both imposed and personal) as badges of honor earned in service.
This is the key to overcoming the thorns. This is how we need to be. Unafraid of what happens when we speak out on behalf of our Lord. Though we may be ridiculed, mocked or even attacked for our beliefs or words, we are only experiencing a small part of what Jesus suffered, and should have joy that our faithful service is true and following in His perfect footsteps. (See Phil 1:27-30)
The "Roman's Road" is a traditional and perfectly valid way of sharing our faith. Feel free to use it if you like. The most important thing to remember here is that what we are truly there to offer is the third step. God demonstrates His love for us by offering us Christ to die for our sins. We are loved beyond all hope of comprehension. We share because we share in that love and would see none lost. I encourage you see the world through the eyes of Paul. He lived fearlessly and acted aggressively. Call on the Holy Spirit to give you boldness to act. Our time is not without end. Be a light in the world while we have the time.
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