They say that if a frog is dropped in a pot of boiling water, he will quickly jump out. However, if he is placed in a pot of water that is slowly heated until boiling, he will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.
Let's say I plan an event. For the purposes of comparison, we will call it a swimming party. I encourage every child to bring a friend and every parent to bring a family that may not have a church home. We have TONS of people show up, and it is a blast! I invite everyone to church the following Sunday, and almost half of the visitors come. What a victory!
Of this half, most of them become regular attenders over the next few months. They enjoy services full of exciting worship music, fun games, and engaging Bible stories. You see, now I have turned the heat up a bit by inserting Bible stories. They come to service projects, eager to spend time with their new friends. They are serving! I've turned up the heat a little more. These families become church members and begin to tithe because it is very strongly suggested for members, and their kids love the church so much. They are giving! It is really hot now...
But where are their hearts? I got them in, got them serving, even got them giving...To any observer, it looks like they have committed to the Kingdom, but if all we have done is entertained and made it fun to "play" Christian or even guilted them into obedience, we may have boiled them alive without them even knowing it. We can create twice the sinner when we allow people to believe that works alone will save them.
Romans 10:13-
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?"
very very true...and well put. we can stay friends ;)
I love to read your blogs. Keep them coming! : )