I was listening to a teaching by Kenneth E. Hagin yesterday, and he made an astounding statement. Here is my heart's interpretation of a great need in the Church (Body of Christ) today.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:16-17 NKJV
"The Great Spirit loves this world of human beings so deeply he gave us his Son -the only Son who fully represents him. All who trust him and his way will not come to a bad end but will have the life of the world to come that never fades away, full of beauty and harmony.
Creator did not send his Son to decide against the people of this world,
but to set them free from the worthless ways of the world.
John 3:16-17 First Nations Version
Pastor Hagin brought to my attention that Jesus came for the world; Jesus belongs to the world. Those who accept Him will be saved, but what about the ones who don't?
Many John 3:16 teachings are based only on this scripture's "saved" aspect. The "saved people" rejoice and move forward in their journeys with Christ, and the body embraces them.
What then happens to the unsaved? Is any effort to reach them beyond quoting John 3:16? And if one continues reading, verse 17 states that Jesus did not come to condemn the world. Most preachers stop at John 3:16. Nothing is further taught about "no condemnation," which may reach the person who feels God would not love them.
As I ponder the lost and unsaved, how they may feel in that moment, the thought may cross their mind: "Jesus came for the saved, and that's not me, no way." With this mindset, they will miss that Jesus came for the world - that includes them, even in their lost state. Without a doubt, condemnation will fall heavily on them, making them more of a target for Satan.
The Church moves forward with the saved and creates programs to disciple them. What about the lost person, the unsaved, who couldn't accept the invitation then? Where is the program to love on them for the Holy Spirit to do His work? The Church is not walking in love if the unsaved feel alienated and outcast.
Today's teachings must focus on "Jesus came for the world." Programs must minister to the lost so they may feel loved and accepted. Imagine if a preacher does an altar call and says, those who accept Jesus as their Savior, come to the right side, and those who are thinking about it, have questions or need to talk, come to the left side; what a sight that would be!
Indeed, this would create an opportunity to minister to the lost personally and be the love, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world today as He initially intended.
Unquestionably, this is something to contemplate . . .
God's blessings and peace ~
tr
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