evangelism success in Italy.. how?
Posted by Drew | Filed under General
MAGIC FORMULA FOR REACHING ITALIANS WITH THE GOSPEL (with a short discourse on the Italian culture)
In this culture, the most common worldview is that God exists and he is the creator, and we as people our main goal is to be good. Good people. That’s what God wants. From this perspective, lives can be lived in a wide variety of ways, and all of them are equally valid. Going to church is almost always a good thing. (even those who hate the church here would not discourage anyone from attending if it makes them feel good — but they might discourage someone from giving to the church because many of them believe that the church and the priests are only interested in money) Helping others seems to be one of the highest values. Beyond this, opinions vary greatly. Actually, this would probably apply in most of the world.
So from this perspective, an Italian who hears the Gospel message that God loves him and Christ died for him, might readily respond that this Gospel is beautiful and he may even say he agrees with it. But generally that doesn’t mean he understands it. The critical element that seems to be missing is for the Italians to understand their NEED for the Gospel. It’s the fundamental principle of Romans 3:23 that no one is good. It’s the idea most critical to understanding the part of the sermon on the mount when Jesus talked about entering the kingdom of heaven, telling those who had done many great works, ” I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matt 7: 21-23) It’s the truth that Jesus’ death doesn’t HELP us enter God’s presence, (as many people here believe) it’s the only WAY for it to happen. And the reason for that is that no one is good. No one meet’s God’s standard of goodness (or righteousness). So the magic formula basically helps people see that a Savior isnt’ simply a good thing to have, it’s essential. Seeing Christ as Essential completely changes the way most Italians understand the Gospel.
How can they see this? How can we help them understand? We take them directly to the Scripture. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Heb 4:12
First, it’s important to explain that no one is good even from a worldly standard. I’m sure some of you are familiar with this method. The Liar test: Have you ever lied? what do you call someone who lies? A Liar. Then you are a Liar. So am I. I’m a big fat liar. (It’s kind of amusing at first). Have you ever stolen something? piece of candy from a store… a pen from the bank? You’re a theif. So am I. I’m a liar and a thief. Those things are very selfish, and we are all selfish. These things, even by the world’s standards, prove to us that we are not good people. Thieves and Liars. Then you can go to the Sermonon the Mount. Matthew 5 shows us examples of being adulterers and murderers just by thinking impure thoughts (27-30, 21-22). But really, just one example of sin can be used alongside James 2:10, which says “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” This truth emphasizes the idea that on our own we truly have no hope. There is no “good person” path to God. The situation apart from Christ truly is desparate.
From here Galatians 3:10-14 moves further into this truth, and leads on to the beauty of the Gospel. “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Obviously it needs some explanation, but it seems that in light of our NEED, the idea that Christ became a curse for us takes on a whole new meaning. Christ taking on my sins because I am in no way able to be good before God otherwise becomes a much more significant event. When we understand our need, we can appreciate the solution. Christ died for my sins because God loves me and wants me to spend eternity with him is an even more beautiful message. The fact that I can know God, that he loves me even in light of how evil I am becomes that much more incredible.
It’s important also for us as believers to never forget how desparate our need was, and how deep the Love and amazing the Grace of God must be to save us. The Gospel is not just a message for gaining our salvation. It is true for us every day from now to eternity.
That’s it. That’s the secret formula. I wish I could tell you it works every time. Sadly, many Italians are confronted with the issue of their sin and separation from God and experience no repentance or remorse. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18) God is sovereign, and He is good. He will change lives in His good timing. I’m so thankful the pressure is not on us to be persuasive or convincing. But it does again remind me of the need for prayer.
