"Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience." - 2 Corinthians 5:11 ESV
That word 'persuade' is the Greek word peitho (Strong's G3982) and it simply means 'to win one's favour', pacify or produce trust in someone.
I love that this is linked to God-consciousness in this passage. This reciprocal relationship a person has with God and that God has with a person is somehow on display and seen.
We say, 'That person knows God and somehow I sense God knows them.' when we are persuaded in the way that this passage is describing persuasion.
Sometimes I run across a religious person and think, 'Does that person even know what or who they are talking about?' because what they are saying is alienating in some way.
"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer." - 2 Corinthians 5:13-16 ESV
I often don't know what to say or how to help. I want to help. God has inserted care into my heart. That care is linked to a 'fear' (or an awe) of God's way of knowing people.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16 ESV
Thank you God. Give us places to shine. We want people to be persuaded absent from striving, effort and arguing. We want your light to shine in through some small gap into every hardened heart. We want truth to penetrate every lie. We want every drowning soul to be rescued from pain and isolation and brought into fellowship.
It can't be by words alone. It must be by love and by lifting up Jesus and his cross that has impacted every life in some way.
God, Make us people who display the love and impact of the cross.
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Showing posts with label Persuasion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persuasion. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
The Introductions Of John The Baptist
Ethos. Pathos. Logos. Three means of persuasion.
When a speaker is introduced an argument for each is traditionally given in that introduction. 'This person is 'ethical' and you should listen.' There is an emotional appeal of some kind also and lastly logic is given to give reasons why they should have our ear. Degrees are declared. Time served is calculated and presented. It is all done in order for an audience to give a person a chance.
I thought of that this morning while reading the introduction of John the Baptist in the three Gospels where he is mentioned.
"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.' ' Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." - Matthew 3:1-6 ESV
"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'' John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, 'After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.' " - Mark 1:2-8 ESV
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." - Luke 3:1-3 ESV
Three different introductions that appeal to our minds in slightly different ways. God wants us to believe that John has a place in his order. Later we find out that John is a man just like us and is brought into a season of doubt but here the Spirit seeks to convince us that John had a ministry. A person only has that if God gives it to them and people benefit most if the ministry is recognized on some level.
All who believe today are sent ones. We have a ministry. John had one previous to the cross and he proclaimed a message that pointed people to Jesus. We have a post-cross ministry that proclaims the forgiveness of sins that points people to Christ also.
We can build each other up in our divine identities. Our conversations can leave people persuaded that they are loved and that they have divine credentials.
When I go out with someone to talk about Jesus I really enjoy creatively talking about my partner to the people we are evangelizing and saying how amazing they are. Not only does it build everyone up but it verifies the message of forgiveness. Gospel messengers who happily honor each other as they go are using ethos, pathos and logos in their simple presentations. The results of the Gospel message are on display. Love is manifested. It verifies that God has sent another 'voice crying out in the wilderness' to gather people to Himself and dunk them in His truth.
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When a speaker is introduced an argument for each is traditionally given in that introduction. 'This person is 'ethical' and you should listen.' There is an emotional appeal of some kind also and lastly logic is given to give reasons why they should have our ear. Degrees are declared. Time served is calculated and presented. It is all done in order for an audience to give a person a chance.
I thought of that this morning while reading the introduction of John the Baptist in the three Gospels where he is mentioned.
"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.' ' Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." - Matthew 3:1-6 ESV
"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'' John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, 'After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.' " - Mark 1:2-8 ESV
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." - Luke 3:1-3 ESV
Three different introductions that appeal to our minds in slightly different ways. God wants us to believe that John has a place in his order. Later we find out that John is a man just like us and is brought into a season of doubt but here the Spirit seeks to convince us that John had a ministry. A person only has that if God gives it to them and people benefit most if the ministry is recognized on some level.
All who believe today are sent ones. We have a ministry. John had one previous to the cross and he proclaimed a message that pointed people to Jesus. We have a post-cross ministry that proclaims the forgiveness of sins that points people to Christ also.
We can build each other up in our divine identities. Our conversations can leave people persuaded that they are loved and that they have divine credentials.
When I go out with someone to talk about Jesus I really enjoy creatively talking about my partner to the people we are evangelizing and saying how amazing they are. Not only does it build everyone up but it verifies the message of forgiveness. Gospel messengers who happily honor each other as they go are using ethos, pathos and logos in their simple presentations. The results of the Gospel message are on display. Love is manifested. It verifies that God has sent another 'voice crying out in the wilderness' to gather people to Himself and dunk them in His truth.
--
Friday, March 11, 2016
Iron Filings
I came across this passage as I was studying and meditating on the subject of water.
"And he said, 'Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.' " - Matthew 15:16-20 ESV
"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh," - Ezekiel 11:19 ESV
Our world has a lot of water in it. We are made hydrated creatures. Jesus makes references to water in many places. Water is very unique in it's properties.
"And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?' " - Mark 4:36-41 ESV
Scholars say that the storm was a demonic assassination attempt. The scripture does not verify this.
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." - Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV
But then I must return to the concept that we are not defiled but what we ingest. Our heart speaks of our nature. What passes through it does not form it.
If you put iron filings on a white piece of paper then place a magnetic under that paper those filings will order themselves according to that magnetic field. The stronger the magnet is the more ordered those filings will be. If the magnet moves then the filings will move in a group also. If the magnet is removed the order will crumble into relative disorder again.
When I see formerly disorganized groups moving together I think of this principle. Groups of people and individuals can become similarly energized. It isn't magnetism but the natural man can be moved by forces also.
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - 2 Peter 1:2-4 ESV
God has given us precious promises and by them we escape this magnetism because we become partakers. The Greek word translated partaker here is koinonos (Strong's G2844). It speaks of a companion that shares in a mutual provision. Our mutual provision is the divine nature.
That spiritual person is not magnetized to the degree that the natural man is magnetized.
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
We feel the tug of the world but God has given us His book so that we might answer a different call. His call is never abusive. He draws us with love. His gentleness makes us great.
Thank you God for this great way of escape! You speak peace to our hearts and we are made still again.
--
"And he said, 'Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.' " - Matthew 15:16-20 ESV
"And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh," - Ezekiel 11:19 ESV
Our world has a lot of water in it. We are made hydrated creatures. Jesus makes references to water in many places. Water is very unique in it's properties.
"And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?' And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?' " - Mark 4:36-41 ESV
Scholars say that the storm was a demonic assassination attempt. The scripture does not verify this.
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." - Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV
But then I must return to the concept that we are not defiled but what we ingest. Our heart speaks of our nature. What passes through it does not form it.
If you put iron filings on a white piece of paper then place a magnetic under that paper those filings will order themselves according to that magnetic field. The stronger the magnet is the more ordered those filings will be. If the magnet moves then the filings will move in a group also. If the magnet is removed the order will crumble into relative disorder again.
When I see formerly disorganized groups moving together I think of this principle. Groups of people and individuals can become similarly energized. It isn't magnetism but the natural man can be moved by forces also.
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - 2 Peter 1:2-4 ESV
God has given us precious promises and by them we escape this magnetism because we become partakers. The Greek word translated partaker here is koinonos (Strong's G2844). It speaks of a companion that shares in a mutual provision. Our mutual provision is the divine nature.
That spiritual person is not magnetized to the degree that the natural man is magnetized.
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
We feel the tug of the world but God has given us His book so that we might answer a different call. His call is never abusive. He draws us with love. His gentleness makes us great.
Thank you God for this great way of escape! You speak peace to our hearts and we are made still again.
--
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