Tue Sep 17 14:33 EDT 1996 Convinced of the Need; a personal testimony I was stuck in traffic this morning, but thanks to some black gospel music in the CD player and a half tank of gas, I could have stayed on the road a while longer. I was thinking about a conversation I had with a middle-aged couple about church and a conversation I had at Sunday School and putting them together along with where I've come from. The attractiveness that Christianity has to offer is rescue. Rescue from what, is the burning question for some people. Christianity can only address those people who have a need. If you don't have a need, Christianity cannot help you. No wonder it is viewed as a crutch by some. I talked with this couple about being a "good kid." And if you ask my brothers, or parents, for the most part, I was a good kid, untouched by the temptations of some of the more overt expressions that my brothers fell prey to. And therein lies the danger, you see. For a long time, I felt as though my Christianity was less effective in my life, worth less than others who were rescued from the things of being a "bad kid." Hearing testimonies of people being brought from the dregs of despair only proved to me that my salvation wasn't worth as much; that Jesus's redemption for me was at a discount. Again, therein lies the danger. I didn't think that giving my life over to God would change much in my behavior. I didn't have habits or addictions (that one could see). It wasn't until the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that I was just as saved, and just as needing of salvation, that I began to see just how wrong I was. I understood more clearly how the Holy Spirit *convinces* men instead of *convicting* them of sin. Being a "good kid" has helped me also to realize that people who don't perceive a need have difficulty with the gospel message. You can't be rescued if there is nothing to be rescued from; unbelief is the unpardonable sin (unable to be pardoned; why? because no pardon is sought) but it is not the incurable sin, as long as the Holy Spirit continues to attempt to convince us of our need. (Blaspheming the Holy Ghost is a final rejection based in one's unbelief.) This couple had confused the issue between church and God - they were speaking about the need for the church along similar lines of our "I love Jesus but the church sucks" conversation. There is a role for the Church and for church but we can only discover its value after resolving our issue with God. And that's the issue I was addressing that evening, and they listened carefully and attentively, but I don't know if I articulated it well enough. It is interesting to think that I may be a spokesman for the "unneedy" in the world... who are in danger for this perilous misperception. The night I gave my life over to God, who presented me with the Scripture that no man can serve two masters, and the choice, not much changed in my behavior, nor did I feel much of anything; well, maybe a little scared of what "serving the Master" meant. But I was convinced and by the book, I was justified and enlisted. Since then, I have come so far to know that I had a need and was in grave danger because of it. My salvation was bought at the same dear price as those rescued from drugs, alcohol, or other things. (And I was shown the more pernicious sins of the heart.) Now brothers, I mean none of this to your shame, because those sins of my heart are more difficult to expunge, I think. I am grateful to write to a family of Christ followers; all of us except my wife's sister Faith, who will not get this message; nor would she receive it. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convince her. And when He will use me, it will be at her invitation. I'm off to California in the morning and won't be back online (I think) until next Monday. By then you should have been able to get through this tome. ;-) Love, Mark Mark Metcalfe ______ ______ "He has showed you, O man, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. _/ Y \_ what is good. And what does 270 Billerica Road, MS 04 // ~~ ~~ | Micah \\ the Lord require of you? Chelmsford, MA 01824 // ~ ~ ~~ | 6:8 \\ To act justly and to love Tel: (508) 446-6451 //________.|.________\\ mercy and to walk humbly metcalfe@candence.com `----------`-'----------' with your God."