The Narrow Path Ministries

I almost wrote this on the "every tongue will confess" thread, but decided to start a new one about this particular topic.

Since in Scripture we see the gospel/Jesus' death being mainly about being set free from sin, do you guys think that if someone doesn't see sin as a big deal or could care less that they live a life of "sin" then we shouldn't be all that concerned with preaching the gospel to them... because it really wouldn't be "good news" and they wouldn't really care if they were set free from sin?

when peter preached on the day of pentecost, his listeners were "cut to the quick" when they heard his words. i take this to mean they were convicted of sin they previously were not convicted about. it would seem that this has always been one of the goals of preaching, or sharing the gospel.

i dont think telling the gospel to someone who is not concerned about their sin is "casting pearls before swine." maybe they have never heard about the consequences of their sin.

TK

Those who are comfortable in their wrongdoing may not care whether or not Jesus died to deliver them from sin. They may not yet be ready to hear the message.

If there is a boil on your body, it sometimes makes it worse to treat it before it "comes to a head".

Sometimes it is necessary to have patience with sinners that they may be awakened in time to the evil results of sins, and be ready at that time to receive deliverance. Meanwhile, we can pray fervently for them.

TK wrote:

when peter preached on the day of pentecost, his listeners were "cut to the quick" when they heard his words. i take this to mean they were convicted of sin they previously were not convicted about. it would seem that this has always been one of the goals of preaching, or sharing the gospel.

I actually tend to think they were "cut to the quick" for a specific sin that Peter mentions just before that:

Acts 2:36
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
NKJV

I'm not convinced that someone needs to be necessarily convicted of their sins to be ripe for the gospel, but only that God has made Jesus "both Lord and Christ" and that they owe Him their allegiance and loyalty. There seems to be several examples in the bible of "righteous" and "devout" people that were saved as well as those who were habitual sinners. Cornelius, Zacharias, and Elizabeth come to mind.

I think that many people come to Christ without being fully aware of the gravity of their sins, or that their sinners at all (like young children for instance). But they come to know that Jesus is King and that it's only right to obey Him from here on out.