it

What is “it” that everybody wants? Whatever it is, get “it” on ebay. I’ve never gone to ebay for anything, does that disqualify me as a spokesperson for “it?” For now… was talking about “getting it” in the sense of learning a lesson from Jesus, and I got to thinking, that’s a whole lot better than anything you can buy online.

But there’s another thought that crosses my mind when I think of “getting it.” What a ubiquitous little word! The sense I’m thinking of is what I like to refer to as “the great ahaa!” It’s the point where the knowledge of God clicks in our head and all of the sudden, whatever knowledge we have, finally makes sense. It’s the priceless moment, immediately preceding, “Yes Jesus, I will follow you.”

Having been brought into a right relationship with God, I want to share the unfathomable riches of His grace with everyone! But I can’t. It’s so frustrating! I have found people who came from a similar background, and thought, “Finally, I can tell someone, and explain it in such a way that they are sure to get it.” I’ve been disappointed many times by the result of those conversations.

It’s like Doctor Frankenstein assembling all the body parts, but not being able to infuse the essence of life into his creation. Sadly, the creature remains a corpse until the mystery of the spark of life is resolved.

Doctor Lutzer once took his seminary students on a field trip. I think it was a class from Trinity. He stood over someone’s grave and told the men to preach salvation to that person. They didn’t know how to respond, and the good doctor shoved a student aside, and said, “Fine, if you can’t do it, then I will!” He proceeded to give a brief presentation of the gospel, and then stood there, waiting for a response. Nothing. The students looked at each other, somewhat uncomfortable with the situation. This eccentric professor, tried again, louder, with more passion, and fervor in his presentation. Silence. Then Lutzer’s eyes lit up! He looked at the students, and announced, “I figured it out! I know why this guy isn’t answering the invitation… he’s DEAD!” Duh! Of course he’s dead, that’s why they buried him!

What is a person’s spiritual condition before they come to Christ? Are they sick in their transgressions? Are they comatose in their transgressions? No! They’re dead! Therefore, their spiritual eyes and ears don’t work. Their heart is unresponsive, because it is impossible for the dead to react. Lutzer made his point.

What the unsaved person needs is the quickening (that spark of life) that all of us who live in the world of nonfiction are unable to produce. Only God can create life. God alone can make it possible for the dead to hear.

All of us who have been saved, have the responsibility to keep on telling people about Jesus, but let’s not get proud if we hear someone say, “Yes.” If they get it, God made it happen. He had to, otherwise, “the great ahaa” is absolutely impossible.

Go Bears.