I have heard it said (and do for the most part believe) that no one is ever argued into the kingdom of God.  If this were not so, the kingdom would be populated mostly with losers—frustrated people who are there chiefly because they do not perform well in debates.  If verbally outmaneuvered in front of others, they may also have felt foolish, publicly humiliated, resentful, even angry.

Why were they unable to spot and evade the subtle intellectual traps set for them by the party who “won” the contest?  Were they less glib, less nimble or simply less experienced than the other side, than those who play the game more frequently and thus have had more practice?  Feeling as though one has been chalked up in someone else’s win column, more like a trophy than a person about whom the “victor” truly cared, rubs salt in the wound.

But the really maddening part is that the whole conversation and its aggravating outcome could (and should) have been prevented, if only the vanquished had stuck to the plan—a self-imposed life-long ban against discussing matters of faith.  If all talk of spiritual things is scrupulously avoided for fear of being backed into a theological corner, worst cannot come to the worst.  Harboring secret suspicion of anyone raising the subject adds an extra layer of security.  I mean, who knows what tricks they may have up their sleeves, as they draw in the unwary and crouch behind easy smiles, ready and waiting to pounce?

Another reason for believing that people are not generally argued into the kingdom of God is that a convert’s stay in the proselytizer’s camp is typically brief and ends abruptly.  It terminates the moment the individual learns of a plausible alternative or is presented with new and better arguments.  Equally, when the crusade runs its course and the revival tent is folded up, the show is over.  The crowds of those who came forward in response to a dynamic speaker or emotional “me too” moments melt away and are nowhere to be found.  They were fans, not disciples.

A faith founded on talking points conceived by human reason and logic is devoid of divine spiritual power and truth.  Cunning devices and ambush encounters are not the way God saves lost men, women and children. Neither does He guilt, shame, pressure, bribe or force His way into human hearts.  God’s word does, however, address the pride of the human mind and its intellectual pretensions, in passages such as these:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (II Corinthians 10:3-5)

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (I Corinthians 1:20)

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”  (I Corinthians 3:19)

It is nothing short of amazing to see how “open-minded” some people are about everything BUT Jesus Christ, and just how well-fortified are their minds against the truth that could save them.  The origin of this closed-mindedness is supernatural:

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  (II Corinthians 4:3-4)

What is that “glorious gospel [good news] of Christ?”  The Apostle Paul, carried along by the Holy Spirit, writes:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1-4)

What makes the gospel different from and far superior to human wisdom?  Divine power: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  (Romans 1:16)

On trial for his life before a Roman court, which included Rome’s vassal Jewish King Herod Agrippa, Paul was permitted to offer a defense, which he summed up this way:

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.  For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”  (Acts 26:22-29)

Paul’s appeal was based on the King’s familiarity with the Bible, and specifically with the law and the writings of the Hebrew prophets.  Paul gently and respectfully pointed out that the scriptures promised that God would send a Savior who would be rejected, and suffer and die for the sins of the world.  He would be buried, rise again from the dead on the third day, and ascend into heaven.  At the appointed time, He will come again.  Those who repent of their sins, put their trust and hope in Him, confess Him as Lord and serve Him, will be forgiven.  Those who continue to reject the truth and rebel will face judgment based not on God’s mercy, but on His justice; that is, on the basis of their thoughts, words and deeds rather than the pardon God offers through His Son.

The idea was as simple as it was brilliant: if you believe Moses and the prophets, you should believe in Jesus Christ, because they wrote about Him.  Festus, the Roman procurator, thought Paul had lost his mind, talking about resurrection from the dead, and he said so (loudly).  But Paul continued to focus intently on King Agrippa. Uncomfortable at being thrust into the spotlight, the King deflected, asking in effect, ‘Do you really expect to persuade me to become a Christian right here and now?’  Paul’s answer is far more audacious: ‘I would to God that not only you, but everyone present would become what I am (a believer in and servant of Christ), except for these chains.’

Paul did not seek to argue, but he did hope to persuade, by simply sharing the truth; namely, that Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins, with His own precious blood.  Having no sin of His own, He was qualified to be the sin-bearer, God’s sacrifice.

Paul also showed that he was full of the love of Christ, by ignoring the peril that he himself was in, focusing instead on the spiritual condition and eternal destiny of everyone else at court.  Paul saw his trial, for which he faced a possible death sentence, as an opportunity God might use to rescue some of those present.  Paul reflected Christ’s compassion for them (including Paul’s accusers) because, although they did not know it, they were facing an even more severe sentence—not just physical death, but eternity in hell, forever separated from God.

This is the situation for every person alive today whose sins have not been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, who have not humbled themselves and received the pardon Jesus died to give them.  The need is universal.  The importance is absolute.  The urgency is critical.  The time to act is now.  Don’t, don’t, don’t delay any longer.  Please. Don’t miss out on the greatest gift and the most fantastic opportunity you have ever been offered.  We whom the Father has already drawn to Christ, are praying for you.

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)