Christian Internet Evangelism: Outreach of BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRY INC. by Evangelist Larry Wolfe

"You're An Animal? I'm An Animal?"

This story begins on a cold wintery day in March of 1980. While searching intensely for the cure for my drink and drug habits, I began reading the Gospel of John on advice from my older brother. He told me once "If you have any questions about God, just read the Gospel of John." Although this was not my first experience with the Bible, I was feeling intense sin-causing guilt,brought on by a Bible seminar I had attended almost a year earlier where for the first time I began to understand God's Word. I had now reached a point in my life at age 35 where sin causing guilt was bringing on thoughts of suicide. It seemed to be the only logical cure for my condition! I had tried every other "feel good" solution known to man, well at least every one known to this man, and still no peace! So, I listened to the still small voice speaking to me, rather than the loud, brazen voice of suicidal thinking, and I began reading the Gospel of John from the Bible my wife had given me a few years earlier.

To my amazement this Book began to live before my tear soaked eyes. Verse by verse, and chapter by chapter, my life was somehow rehearsed before me, and my entire being was consumed with a repentant spirit, weeping aloud most of the morning for the way I had lived these thirty something years until finally I came to the thirteenth verse of the fifteenth chapter, and there the Lord Jesus on the Cross was revealed to me as the Suffering Saviour for my sin, and I received Him by faith as my personal Saviour, that seventh day of March. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for friends." Wow, God died for me, and all because of His great love for me! A seemingly worthless mound of human flesh without even the will to live, and yet here the Greatest most Glorious Person to ever walk the face of the earth gave Himself for me!!

You are probably saying amen, praise the Lord, for this marvelous, miraculous testimony of His love, but how does that fit in with " I'm an animal, you're an animal" theme? Well, trust me after we get finished with this story, I think it will be as plain as the noses on our faces. You and I, providing you are a "born- again the Bible way" Christian, have been transformed from children of darkness to children of Light at the point of our conversion, but, if we have not continued the process of transformation God's way our "old man" is in charge of our every thought and action and we are behaving as animals, consumed with self and our desires, instead of behaving as a "new creature in Christ". It's just that simple! It is my desire and prayer to God your eyes will be opened, as mine were, those seventeen years ago, to this foundational Truth.

Let us continue with the story from that glorious day in 1980. God immediately gave me a super-natural hunger for His precious Word. I began memorizing verses, and rehearsing them over and over to be able to keep His Truth with me while I was at work. His Word was the complete focus of my life. I longed to serve Him, this marvelous, loving Saviour who gave Himself for me, and it was not long until I enrolled in a local Bible school's night program. I signed up for a Personal Evangelism course, not really knowing what it was about. I was drawn by an advertisement in the local paper, and the word Personal drew me because I was overrun with personal problems.

This course emphasized Scripture memory for the purpose of fulfilling our #1 priority as Christians, Soulwinning! My personal problems,drugs/alcohol etc. literally disappeared, as my focus was on ministering to others who were in the same helpless, hopeless condition as I had been.The Holy Spirit continued to lead and guide me to consume the Word of God in mass quantities! My life was transformed! It was culture shock! Can you imagine, a Harley riding madman turned into a soul-winner for the Lord? I was abiding in Christ! He literally was my life! My communion with Him was continual! His thoughts were my thoughts, and my heart was filled with songs and hymns and spiritual songs, I was singing and making melody in my heart to the Lord!

Well, to make a long story short, the "Animal" within little by little began to take control of my life. Oh, I didn't return to the drugs and alcohol or the outwardly wretched lifestyle, I was a member of a church now "you know". I could go to church and put on the "wolf" that was now used to wearing "sheep's clothing" outwardly, but inwardly I was a "ravening wolf"-the "animal" was in charge! How in the world could this happen to a man who was miraculously delivered from the certain death of drugs, alcohol, and suicidal thinking? It happened step by step, little by little, one thought at a time. The sins of omission!! Like,I don't really need to memorize Scripture, there's no Bible command that says "Thou shalt memorize Scripture", or "Ye must meditate on the Word of God". Or, "I have to be careful I don't offend this guy, so I'll just wait for a more convenient time to witness to him".

Isn't it amazing how we can justify our apathetic condition? It is always the sins of omission that get me in trouble. If I am actively memorizing and meditating on the Word of God, I will be witnessing. But, if not I will be justifying my apathy! How about you? How is your "animal" doing? Your pet sin, or maybe your pet vice, or maybe it is just your pet! Are you actively witnessing? We're not talking about lifestyle evangelism, no, if we wait until our life tells him how to get saved, he might end up spending eternity in hell!

Sure, there is a place for waiting on the Lord in certain situations, but how do we know if this will be the last time we see this person? It could be God's appointment for you and for them! When Nicodemus came to Jesus, The Lord didn't talk about the weather and how beautiful the stars and moon were that night, no, He went right to the point of Nicodemus' need! "Ye must be born again..." was His answer to this religious man's questions. When Paul went to Athens his heart was burdened for the people of this great city, he preached to them of the God they knew not, and some mocked, others said, "We will hear thee again of this matter", but there is no record of them coming again to hear the message of Paul. It certainly was God's appointment for them!

Well, let's get back to the "Animal", the focus of our story. There is lurking within us a creature Paul describes as the "flesh". The part of our being wherein lust, covetousness, and all ungodly thoughts and evil desires reside. It is this great enemy of the Holy Spirit with which we must contend, for Paul tells us in Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit" waging war against our souls. It is the "flesh", the voracious animal instinct, that seeks to control our attitudes/thoughts, actions and our appetites.

(CONTINUED...)


Rev. Larry Wolfe--Evangelist
3015 Pelzer Hwy
#16
Easley, SC 29642

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