Putting the Diagnosis Before the Cure

There is a great truth that I have known for a long time but have only minimally put into practice. I realized this after listening to a sermon that a brother in Christ pointed me to.

Imagine that you have gone to the doctor for a routine checkup and after the examination the doctor hands you a prescription slip and with no other words he says to you— “take this prescription twice a day.”

Now you might think that this a rather silly illustration because what doctor is going to suggest to you a cure before he gives you a diagnosis. In other words, the doctor is going to tell you that you have cancer before he suggests chemo treatments.

As silly as this illustration sounds, it is exactly what many Christians try to do. They try to give the cure before telling anyone what they need cured of. Is it a wonder that so many people think the good news of Jesus Christ is irrelevant. That vast majority of Americans live fairly comfortable lives. So when we tell them they need saved, they look at us like we have three eyes. Why on earth do I need saved they will think. We might even tell them that they need saved from hell but even then they will stare blankly at you because most of them don’t believe they are going to hell.

Thus we need to tell or show people that they are sinners and that sin leads to hell. Then when they understand that—we can give them the good news of Jesus Christ. How else will the Gospel of Jesus Christ be good news to someone unless they see their great need for salvation in Christ.

We must again start preaching about sin and hell. You bet we are going to offend some people, but the gospel was always and will always be offensive. Jesus said that the world hated him and that it will hate us also. Let’s get our outreach right and start showing people from the Bible that they are sinners headed for hell unless they repent and look upon Jesus Christ for salvation.

Here is how we typically evangelize. “Hey Bob, you got a great life but you are missing something. Your life could be even better with Jesus Christ. He will give you peace and joy and fill that hole in your sole.” Now Bob who is rather content at the moment because of all the comforts and wealth in his life, thinks to himself, ‘Yeah I need Jesus like I need a hole in my head.’ However, if first you show Bob that He is a liar, adulterer, murder, hater of God and a wretched man and then tell Him He needs Jesus, Lord willing He will fall on His knees with joy knowing that there is cure.