COMMENT
Good judgement requires us to see others as Jesus saw the wicked Samaritan. Jesus didn’t say the Samaritan had to become a Jew nor had to believe in him. Instead, he called the Samaritan GOOD, right where he was because of the loving act he performed for his enemy.
Theology is on the back burner to the two great commandments, loving God with all your heart by loving others as yourself. Forget your theology and let love be the primary function of your ministry. No need to tell others what they must believe or not believe, it will be evident what you believe when nothing but love flows from your lips.
May you find the peace that passes all understanding—including theology—by loving others.
MY RESPONSE
I’m 100% in agreement with your statements; love of course is the fulfillment of all other commands. Nevertheless, besides giving one’s life for another, the greatest act of love is to share the grace gospel with others. The gospel provides the hearer with the opportunity to find Christ’s love and get saved.
One cannot just love another or do kind deeds alone for them. They need to hear the gospel.
Rom.10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard [the gospel]? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Paul says it is the gospel that is the power of God to save (Rom.1:16). Good deeds are great as a testimony of salvation, but good deeds cannot save anyone.
Presenting the gospel is not a matter of telling others what they must believe or not believe. You are simply presenting them with the truth. Once a person hears the gospel, it is up to them to receive it or not. The fact that they heard the truth places that incredible decision in their hands where they will need to respond to or reject the moments (or opportunities) of faith that the Spirit creates within them.
Just being kind and doing good and loving others has great value, but if the recipient never hears or respond to the gospel, all that love is temporary and ultimately meaningless. There is only one name under heaven by which men are saved. Jesus Christ, Acts 4:12.
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