THE CRITICAL ELEMENT
Issue #1 29-January,1990
What is this? I am glad that you asked that question.
Please, allow me to explain. You have been selected as a sample
audience for the first in a series of encouraging letters that I
am distributing anonymously. "The Critical Element" is my way of
sharing what is happening in my life and the lives of my
friends. This also allows me the opportunity to share with you
the things the Lord is teaching me through my walk with Him.
Why have you been selected? The problem with distributing
an anonymous letter is that you have little opportunity to obtain
feedback on your material. The only way to receive such feedback
is to distribute the material to people whom you see on a regular
basis. In this fashion, you are able to pick up on conversations
and discern whether the public opinion is good or bad. I realize
this is not a perfect method of obtaining opinions; however, this
is my first time at this.
Why remain anonymous? The Lord has made me aware of a few of
my fatal down-falls. One of these is pride. Once word got out
that I was the person responsible for this, the praise that most
people would otherwise direct toward God would be partially
redirected toward me. I would then allow my ego to swell and
overshadow my true aim. Thus, the letters would be more about me
and my glory rather than God and His glory.
When I refer to the critical element, I am referring to
Jesus Christ. He is the critical element which all mankind must
individually accept or reject. When the day of judgment comes,
He is the critical element that will decide where we will spend
eternity. When you have to make a decision tomorrow, it is the
level of control that this critical element has in your life that
will determine your choice. Truly, the presence or absence of
this critical element is what makes us who we are.
Well, if that last paragraph didn't clue you into what these
letters are going to be about, the next one will bring it into
clear focus for you.
Read Luke 16:19-31. Did you read it or are you hoping that
I'll tell you what it says? Read it! If you have accepted
Christ into your life you already know that you don't have to
worry about ending up like the rich man. What about that guy
across the room in your 10:00 class? How about that girl you've
been seeing in the cafeteria all week? How about your roommate,
family, and friends? The point is not everyone has accepted
Christ. Not everyone knows about the hope that we hold in Him.
As strange as it may sound, God has entrusted all believers
to tell non-believers about Him. God, the entity with whom all
knowledge and power rests, has left it up to you and me to tell
the world about Him. Matthew 28:18-20 is often called The Great
Commission. This is because Christ commissioned His disciples to
go "and make disciples of all nations." Today, God has commis
sioned all of us to go and make disciples and teach them to make
disciples of their own.
Unfortunately, we (myself included) allow Satan to trick us
into believing something that is not true. While I have no idea
what each of you thinks, below is a few excuses we often make.
After each entry, you will find either a counter-statement or
some Bible passages.
* I am not spiritually mature enough to make a person change
his mind. -- When you were saved someone gave you a new piece
of information. That information was enough to bring YOU to a
decision. Why would it not be enough to bring another to Christ?
* People will think that I am a fool. -- 1 Cor. 2:15; Prov.
11:30; 2 Cor. 11:16 ;12:6.
* God does not want me to share with people, but only to
practice other gifts. -- Luke 15:17; 2 Peter 3:9; James 4:17;
5:19-20.
As you can see from the above passages, God wants us to go
and tell people all over the world about Jesus Christ. In my
next letter to you I will give you some instruction on how to
make sure that you are a Christian. I also will attempt to
provide you with the tools you need to bring others to Christ.
In the meantime be thinking about people in your life who do not
know Christ. I'm sure that all of you know many. If not, ask
God to bring someone into your life that is lost. Be praying
that God will use you on this campus to bring about an awakening.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension,
shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Phil.
4:6-7).
I am praying for you all.
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