The "key"!

I often wonder if there's a "key" to reaching the lost. There is - but it's rusty through lack of use. The Bible does actually call it "the key," and its purpose is to bring us to Christ - to unlock the Door of the Savior (John 10:9). Yet much of the Church still doesn't even know that it exists. But Jesus used it. So did Paul (Rom 3:19, 20), Timothy (1 Tim 1:8-11), and James (Jas 2:10). Even Stephen used it when he preached (Acts 7:53).

Jesus said that the lawyers had "taken away" the key, and even refused to use it to let people enter into the kingdom of God. The Pharisees didn't take it away. Instead, they bent it out of shape so that it wouldn't do its work (Mk 7:8). Satan has tried to prejudice the modern Church against the key.

The key that Jesus spoke of is found in Luke 11:52. It is the Law of God (the Ten Commandments). The Law is the God-given "key" to unlock the Door of salvation. Charles Spurgeon said, "I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law. The Law is the needle, and you cannot draw the silken thread of the gospel through a man's heart unless you first send the needle of the Law to make way for it." Sadly, many hear the word "Law" and think of "legalism." While there are those who use the Law unlawfully (legalism), it shouldn't negate the fact that we can use the Law lawfully - to reach the lost. That's why God gave it - "for sinners" (1 Tim 1:8-10).

If you study how Jesus evangelized in Mark 10:17-21 you will notice how different His approach was from that of modern evangelism. A young man ran to Him (he was earnest), knelt down (in apparent humility), called Jesus "good," then asked how he could obtain eternal life. However, Jesus didn't preach the Cross, speak of God's love, repentance, or lead this potential convert in a sinner's prayer. Instead He corrected his understanding of the word "good." Then He took him through the Ten Commandments (the Law) to show this man what sin was.

If we want to be effective in reaching the lost, we must imitate the way of the Master. Let's pray this week on how we can utilize the law rather than denying its power as a relevant tool for evangelism.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Rony