B*** P*****, 28, of Denver, a first-year season-ticket holder, longtime Tebow fan and a Christian but not a churchgoer, said Monday that he opened a Bible to check out John 3:16. "If that's where Tebow gets his inspiration, nothing wrong with trying that." USA Today 01-09-12

Dude! Where do we start? Christian but not a churchgoer? Opened a Bible to check out John 3:16? Gets his inspiration? Nothing wrong with trying that!!?? Obviously, B***, you're not even close to what you think you are, and you're not headed to the place you think you're headed. You're exactly what's wrong with Evanjellyfishicalism today, your theology is crap, your soteriology is non-existent, and your ecclesiology, well, case closed!

Except for this: before his arrest, trial, conviction, and sentencing, we failed to read this man his rights: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - John 1:12 (ESV)

Chances are, as far as B*** knows, he has received Jesus, and believed in his name. Chances are, as well, that he is not prepared, nor even inclined, to argue with you unless you present yourself as an adversary, or an accuser.

Note well that the application of the benefits of Christ's redemption are fully the work of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Ghost gots means, and he gots people. And his people - his ministers, his ambassadors, his witnesses - they don't use the means of his enemy, the adversary and the accuser.

So when you meet B***, on the bus or at the store or at the office, and you get to talking about these things, remember first that he has received what was passed on to him, and save the vitriol for the wolf that passed it along. Then remember who you're working for, who's doing the applying, and then point the way to the one that he's pointing to.

Labels: Apologetics, evangelism, holy spirit, nominal Christians