Power of Persuasion

We've all been persuaded to do something at some point in time.  And I'm sure we've all persuaded someone to do something.  You know, with some money, with a look, a bat of the eyes, or even a look of disdain or the dreaded "evil-eye."

Persuasion is a powerful art that some people have down pat.  It can also be so subtle that we don't even realize that we're being persuaded.  In and of itself it's not necessarily a negative tool.  In fact, it's an art that pastors craft as we teach and preach.  What determines the pro/con of persuasion is the heart from which it's done, the point we're driving across, the reliability (is it true) of what's being communicated, and the end result intent.  For example, a preacher should use the art of persuasion to teach God's truth to people in a way that is compelling and understanding, clearly describing the end results.  At that point the pastor should allow the Holy Spirit to work in the life of a person for whatever decision that person makes with what was said, taught, or preached. 

The problem is when we are persuaded away from the truth, the truth of God.  Paul writes in  
 

Galatians 5:7-8:  ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

He applauds them and commends them for their faith and how well they were growing in the truth and knowledge of Christ.  But then he challenges them.  Although they were running a good race, someone under cut them, made them stumble and fall.  They had been PERSUADED by others that the faith they were living out and living under was insufficient.  

Paul was torqued!  In  "half-time coach-speak" Paul asks who in the world persuaded you away from the truth of God?  Who persuaded you that to live as a Christian meant following rules and heritage customs in addition to faith alone in Christ alone???  

His redirect was clear.  Anything other than faith in Christ alone ... is not faith at all; we miss the grace of God.  As long as we don't sin - and let's not dance around on this, the scriptures are clear as to what sin is and what grieves the heart of God - there is freedom to live and be in Christ.  As long as we don't abuse liberty and neglect giving grace to others ... there is freedom in your Christian life.

Will we be perfect? No.  Will we fail in our freedom? Yes.  But there's always redirection, love, and grace to point us back on track.

Whatever it was, whomever it was in the past, let go of their persuasion that keeps you from enjoying the fullness of Christ and his freedom.  And let us not be people who persuade others that there's more to faith in Christ than Christ alone.

Salvation, eternal and temporal, = faith alone in Christ alone.