Persuading Men

Persuading Men

“Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . . .” 2 Cor. 5:11. Paul knew that Jesus had redeemed every man from sin with His precious blood, and he sought to win people’s hearts for Jesus with a sincere love. In this work he did not think of his own profit at all. He followed Jesus who gave His life for us while we were yet sinners. He oversaw God’s flock that Jesus had purchased for Himself with His precious blood. Acts 20:28. He did not want to offend anyone for whom Jesus had given His life.

He could give this tremendous, personal testimony that he had not wronged anyone. He had not corrupted or defrauded anyone. 2 Cor. 7:2. In this spirit of love and fear Paul could say, “Follow me!” 1 Cor. 4:16. If we can take this exhortation to heart, then our life will be rich to God’s glory. Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy melted the Thessalonians’ hearts by being gentle among them, like a nursing mother cherishes her child. “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thess. 2:8. Here we see the best way in which we can win people’s hearts for Christ. “For the love of Christ constrains us . . . .” 2 Cor. 5:14.

If a mother and father have won the children’s hearts with love and goodness, then a sad look can be more chastening than any other punishment. This goodness will have the effect that they fear to do anything against their caring parents. If they do drift away from Christ and the church for a while, they will feel a stinging chastisement in their conscience that can prompt them to go back again.

In the world they experience hardness and coldness, but there is grace and mercy in the chastisement that they feel in their conscience. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . . . .” Tit. 2:11-13.

This is the only life in which our children will feel blessed and secure. We will never be put to shame in this blessed hope. In it we find life and light for eternity, and we will never die.

Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from all unrighteousness and to purify for Himself a peculiar people zealous to do good works. It is a serious matter when we see how the devil has laid hold of our children. Then we must do what Paul writes to Titus: “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Tit. 2:15.

We must see the seriousness of the fact that it is either life or death, heaven or hell. We need to have fear so we can win our own, as well as all the other people whom Jesus has redeemed with His precious blood. We need to show both goodness and firmness in the living hope that it shall succeed. By God’s grace our work in the Lord will not be in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58.

In this battle of faith we learn to know the God of patience and comfort even more (Rom. 15:5); and the God of comfort and peace will be with us. 2 Cor. 13:11.