This one is simple. Should a Christian witness to his co-worker while on company time? Is it ethical to share the gospel when you should be working? I am not certain what I believe. What do you think?
UPDATE: When I say “witnessing” I mean verbally sharing the gospel facts. Of course it is always right and ethical to share the gospel with your actions.
One one occasion John Newton was asked by a fellow minister what to do when he senses power in preaching but, “cannot get either comfort or sorrow out of it, or but very rarely”. If you are a minister no doubt you have had this experience (probably on Monday morning). Even if you do not regularly preach you may have still experienced seasons of great spiritual fervor followed by extremely dry periods. To this experience Newton gives wise counsel:
I call upon you to rejoice, not at some times only, but at all times; not only when upon the mount, but when in the valley; not only when you conquer, but while you are fighting; not only when the Lord shines upon you, but when he seems to hide his face. When he enables you to do all things, you are no better in yourselves than you were before; and when you feel you can do nothing, you are no worse. Your experiences will vary: but his love and promises are always unchangeable.
Then Newton goes on to show the idiocy of what we often experience:
I have felt an impatience in my spirit, utterly unsuitable to my state as a sinner and a beggar, and to my profession of yielding myself and all my concerns to the Lord’s disposal. He has mercifully convinced me that I labor under a multiplication of disorders, summed up in the word—sin. He has graciously revealed himself to me as the infallible physician; and has enabled me, as such, to commit myself to him, and to expect my cure from his hand alone. Yet how often, instead of thankfully accepting his prescriptions, have I foolishly and presumptuously ventured to prescribe to him, and to point out how I would have him deal with me! How often have I thought something was necessary which he saw best to deny, and that I could have done better without those dispensations which his wisdom appointed to work for my good! He is God, and not man, or else he would have been weary of me, and left me to my own management long ago. How inconsistent! to acknowledge that I am blind, to entreat him to lead me, and yet to want to choose my own way, in the same breath!
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless! As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
The title is more of a tongue-in-cheek joke than anything else. But, the conversation and demeanor on many blogs (both by authors and those commenting) seems to deny that this instruction was ever given.
Lord, keep me pure. Help me to only teach, preach, and write about that which is essential. May this blog never be given to foolish controversies nor may we ever engage in needless quarrels and dissension. May Christ alone be our only boast.
The Apostles Creed states:
“I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.”
Note the bold, “He descended into hell”. What do you think? Heresy, Error, or Truth? Did Christ, upon his death, descend into hell?
