if You Want To Reach People. . . (Part 3 of 3)

(. . .continued from. . .Part 1 and Part 2. . .)

Lastly, bad news comes better when it comes softly. How can we soften the impact of the bad news? Love (John 13:35). Jesus makes it clear the world will know there is something different about us through how we love one another.

Love is the key. Unconditional, no strings attached loved. The message the church is supposed to be carrying is the Gospel. Love opens the door for the Gospel.

But let me give you a bad example of "love" just to make sure we're on the same page: give someone money to help pay their rent and then guilt trip them into coming to church the next week. 

You know the difference between love and manipulation? I say it’s measured by the strings that are attached. Too many people think the church is selling something and we have to be a church that changes that. We should never give to the needy because we we’re trying to get people to come to our church. We should never hold festivals or events because we’re trying to get people to come to our church. I guarantee that if we love people unconditionally they will come. People are drawn to genuine, authentic, love.

We must realize that we are faced with a culture that does not understand the Good News, the Gospel of Salvation. The bad news can put it into context, and then it makes sense. But most aren't ready to hear bad news and that's one of the many places love comes in.

You want to reach people. . .love them. . .with no strings attached.