Narcissistic? Hmmm. . .so Calvinists never say that God loves anyone? Then pray tell, how in the world do they share the gospel? Do they avoid verses such as John 3:16 that speak of God's love?
I just don't see how anyone can evangelize without mentioning God's love.
Narcissistic? Hmmm. . .so Calvinists never say that God loves anyone? Then pray tell, how in the world do they share the gospel? Do they avoid verses such as John 3:16 that speak of God’s love?
I just don’t see how anyone can evangelize without mentioning God’s love.
you betcha. They avoid John 3:16 or say that world doesn’t exactly mean everyone.
There is a huge difference between God loving some and loving everyone.
I can't say that I have ever used the phrase "God loves you" when evangelizing.
So to answer you question, as instructed in Scripture, I trust in the first and second use of the law. I unpackage God's wrath against sinners (and you can do this without screaming and spitting and waving your arms wildly. Ray comfort does this extremely well, I love watching him do this on TV) and how God came down to earth on a cosmic rescue mission to save all who repent and believe in Christ's atoning death.
I don't lead them in the Sinner's Prayer
I don't tell them God loves them. Why? Because we do have examples in Scripture of God hating some people, so how can I assure them that God loves all?
I do treat them with the utmost respect.
I give them as much time as needed as possible during our conversation to ask questions.
If they seem to respond I offer to take them to church on Sunday where they can hear more.
If they don't want to go to church with me I make it a point to know churches in the area that preach Christ crucified and encourage them to attend one of those.
I also try to focus in on their hangup (i.e. the exclusivity of Christ's claim, objection that Christ rose from the dead, the historicity of Christ)
If at all possible I follow-up.
I realize that there is such a thing as pre-evangelism. I might not be used to bring that person to faith, but perhaps to plant the seed that may not shoot up and blossom for months or years.
I do take my time. We moved into a neighborhood a few years ago and stood in the front yard late one night and prayed that God would show us who he would save on our block. Turns out the nice family two doors down were placed in our path to be saved. The wife took two years to convert. She would come to our door 2-3 nights a week asking questions, some times the same questions over and over again over a couple of weeks. When we move away she locked herself in the bathroom and cried for two hours, then looked up and cried out to Jesus. Her family is slowly coming to the faith.
I fully realize that it is God who saves, and not me. I am but a tool used to sow seeds. I don't get frustrated when someone doesn't believe, I rejoice when they do. I have seen people come to faith when I have been tongue tied and felt like I wasn't saying anything cohesive. At other times I felt like I was really on and saying all the right things and people looked at me the way a dog looks at a television.
It isn't until God regenerates their heart, that is causes them to be born again, that they can receive Christ as their Savior. I am thankful when God uses me in to further His Kingdom.