How the 20th century religion of anti-racism has neutered Evangelism

[d taylor]

These verses come right after Jesus’ famous conversation with Nicodemus, where He explains the necessity of being born again and declares in John 3:16 that God sent His Son to save the world. John 3:19 sets the stage by saying, "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil."

Verse 20: Jesus is saying that people who engage in evil avoid the "light" (which represents truth, righteousness, and Jesus Himself). They prefer darkness because they don't want their sins exposed. This isn't just about being caught doing wrong—it reflects a deeper rejection of God's truth because they love their sin more than they love God.

Verse 21: In contrast, those who "do what is true" willingly come into the light. This means they are not afraid of God's truth but embrace it. Their actions reflect a life transformed by God, and their deeds are shown to be "carried out in God"—meaning they live in obedience to Him, not for self-righteousness but as evidence of God's work in them.

So these verses challenge us to examine our hearts. Do we hide from God's truth because we don't want to change? Or do we seek the light, allowing God to expose and transform us? It also reminds us that true faith is visible in how we live—we don’t just claim to follow Christ; our lives reflect His work in us.

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You must believe The Bible contradicts itself

 

[1Tonne]

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You must believe The Bible contradicts itself

Do you think what I wrote was wrong? What was wrong with it?

 

[RamiC]

Also, an analogy.
The reason I use the parachute analogy is because in the Gospel of John, it says to "believe" in Jesus. This word "believe" in Greek is "Pisteuo". It means to trust, believe, commit unto. So, we need to put our trust into the thing that will save us.

Yes, there is nothing wrong with analogies per se.

But most people will use a bridge in their lifetime, very few proportionally a parachute. And it takes trust to use a bridge.

 

[1Tonne]

Yes, there is nothing wrong with analogies per se.

But most people will use a bridge in their lifetime, very few proportionally a parachute. And it takes trust to use a bridge.

In reality, neither of these analogies is perfect. Even the bridge analogy has faults. But they relay an idea and most people when told the parachute analogy get it. So, unbelievers understand it without any issues. Fear can be a reason to get right with God and it is a common theme in the bible.

 

[RamiC]

In reality, neither of these analogies is perfect. Even the bridge analogy has faults. But they relay an idea and most people when told the parachute analogy get it. So, unbelievers understand it without any issues. Fear can be a reason to get right with God and it is a common theme in the bible.

I think we can agree to differ on this. It seems a mere matter of taste or personal preference. If you are getting people thinking with parachutes, carry on, good luck.

 

[1Tonne]

I think we can agree to differ on this. It seems a mere matter of taste or personal preference. If you are getting people thinking with parachutes, carry on, good luck.

The parachute analogy seems to work very well. Here is an example of using the analogy. The analogy is at 7:29 but I would suggest you watch the whole thing because it shows you how the law brings the knowledge of sin and then knowing that we are guilty creates a fear of the Lord that can drive you to put on the parachute (Christ)

 

[d taylor]

Do you think what I wrote was wrong? What was wrong with it?

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You are adding he idea of sin in to these two verse 20,21 when the verse states works/deeds.

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Plus these verses state coming to the light which is something a believer will or should do. If the verses were about unbelievers the verse would have said, believed in the light and not come to the light. Coming to the light is something only a believer can do.

 

[1Tonne]

Coming to the light is something only a believer can do.

Exactly. A believer will come into the light. While a non-believer will choose to stay in the darkness. If a non-believer comes into the light, which is Jesus, then his deeds will be exposed. A true believer humbles himself and will come into the light, and his deeds will be exposed. He will have to admit that he needs a saviour. And because the believer understands that in the light there is salvation, he will then love the light.
So, the one who is in the darkness is an unbeliever and the one who is in the light is a believer.

 

[d taylor]

Exactly. A believer will come into the light. While a non-believer will choose to stay in the darkness. If a non-believer comes into the light, which is Jesus, then his deeds will be exposed. A true believer humbles himself and will come into the light, and his deeds will be exposed. He will have to admit that he needs a saviour. And because the believer understands that in the light there is salvation, he will then love the light.
So, the one who is in the darkness is an unbeliever and the one who is in the light is a believer.

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Nope these verse are about believers and that is why you are wrong.

 

[1Tonne]

Let's looks at verses that speak about those in the light and those who are in the dark
Who is in the Light and who is in the Darkness

1. Jesus as the Light​

• John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
• John 1:4-5 – In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

2. Believers Are Children of Light​

• 1 Thessalonians 5:5 – For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
• Ephesians 5:8 – For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

3. Unbelievers Are in Darkness​

• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• John 3:19-20 – And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
• John 12:35-40 – So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”

4. The Call to Walk in the Light​

• 1 John 1:5-7 – This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
• Colossians 1:13 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

5. Spiritual Darkness and Judgment​

• Matthew 6:22-23 – The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
• Jude 1:13 – (Describing false teachers) "wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever."

It’s quite clear who is in the light and who is in the darkness. Nowhere does Scripture say that believers are in darkness—unless someone is seriously misinterpreting the text.

 

[d taylor]

Let's looks at verses that speak about those in the light and those who are in the dark
Who is in the Light and who is in the Darkness

1. Jesus as the Light​

• John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
• John 1:4-5 – In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

2. Believers Are Children of Light​

• 1 Thessalonians 5:5 – For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
• Ephesians 5:8 – For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

3. Unbelievers Are in Darkness​

• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• John 3:19-20 – And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
• John 12:35-40 – So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”

4. The Call to Walk in the Light​

• 1 John 1:5-7 – This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
• Colossians 1:13 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

5. Spiritual Darkness and Judgment​

• Matthew 6:22-23 – The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
• Jude 1:13 – (Describing false teachers) "wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever."

It’s quite clear who is in the light and who is in the darkness. Nowhere does Scripture say that believers are in darkness—unless someone is seriously misinterpreting the text.

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I need no other verses, because only a person who is already a believer can come to the light. An unbeliever must first believe in the light, then and only then, after being a born again believer can they come to the light.

In verse 20 theses believers (practicing evil) will not come to the light, but the believers (who does the truth) in verse 21 do come to the light.

 

[1Tonne]

only a person who is already a believer can come to the light.

Correct. A person who believes has come into the light.

An unbeliever must first believe in the light, then and only then, after being a born again believer can they come to the light.

Correct as well. An unbeliever needs to believe in Jesus to come into the light.

I need no other verses

You should want to back your theology with verses otherwise you can make false Gospels.

In verse 20 theses believers (practicing evil) will not come to the light, but the believers (who does the truth) in verse 21 do come to the light.

I have shown you how Jesus knows His people and they are in the light and they fellowship together. Jesus knows them and they know Jesus. I also used bible verses. So, please use verses to show me where there is a believer, who is in the darkness and is still saved. You need a verse that specifically states that they are His or that they are a believer but they are in darkness. There are none. It is only your misguided thinking that interprets it how you do.

 

[d taylor]

Correct. A person who believes has come into the light.

Correct as well. An unbeliever needs to believe in Jesus to come into the light.

You should want to back your theology with verses otherwise you can make false Gospels.

I have shown you how Jesus knows His people and they are in the light and they fellowship together. Jesus knows them and they know Jesus. I also used bible verses. So, please use verses to show me where there is a believer, who is in the darkness and is still saved. You need a verse that specifically states that they are His or that they are a believer but they are in darkness. There are none. It is only your misguided thinking that interprets it how you do.

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No your deceptive approach just shows you are pedaling incorrect teaching.

I never wrote a person who believes has come to the light. Here is what i wrote. Only a person who is already a believer can come to the light.

A person who believes in the light, can then only come to the light. Before a person can come to the light, they first must believe in the light. Not all believers come to the light (openly in public confess Christ)

In verse 20 theses believers (practicing evil) will not come to the light, but the believers (who does the truth) in verse 21 do come to the light.

The only thing you have shown is you can take scripture and try to make it fit what you believe. But Free Grace exposes your approach.

I do not need to post verses, as I have in the past and the verses have not changed what they say. They all still say belief in Jesus gives a person Eternal Life salvation.

 

[1Tonne]

I do not need to post verses, as I have in the past and the verses have not changed what they say. They all still say belief in Jesus gives a person Eternal Life salvation.

You do need to post verses as you have never posted a verse to prove that someone who is saved is in the darkness. You have put your own interpretation of John 3 without backing it with scripture. Please put a verse to show how those in the darkness are believers. I have posted verses to show that those in the light are His. Now you should back your theology. - That is unless you can't back it with scripture.

 

[RamiC]

The parachute analogy seems to work very well. Here is an example of using the analogy. The analogy is at 7:29 but I would suggest you watch the whole thing because it shows you how the law brings the knowledge of sin and then knowing that we are guilty creates a fear of the Lord that can drive you to put on the parachute (Christ)

It is interesting to me to see the argument presented based on the law, not reasoning. I would also say that video does not show the kind of wrath of God evangelism that worries me. They seem to talk only about things the Bible calls sin, not threats of punishment for it.

Are you in the video, or was it your inspiration for how you evangelise?

 

[1Tonne]

Are you in the video, or was it your inspiration for how you evangelise?

No. That is not me. That is Ray Comfort. Check out his movies too. Especially "Atheist Delusion." He is way more skilled than me. But yes, this is where I got the idea of how to share the Gospel. I do not do it exactly like him, but I do copy a lot of his format.
Watch some more of his stuff as it will equip you. Where else is there that is better to learn than those who are getting out there and doing it?

It is interesting to me to see the argument presented based on the law, not reasoning.

We should all be using the law more often to bring people to Christ. In fact, in Paul's letter to the Church of Galatia, he wrote that the Law was what brought them to Christ. "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ".
An argument by reasoning only affects the intellect and will not change the heart. We need to get to the heart of the issue which is sin. To do this we use the conscience, and this is where the law comes in. "Conscience" means "with knowledge". So, every person knows when they break God's law and sin and the bible says that the wages of sin is death. So, they are in big trouble. They need a saviour.
Reasoning is good to use when talking to a non-believer, but Ray Comfort uses it as a means to an end. It is a way of creating a conversation that can then lead to using the law and then telling the Gospel.

I would also say that video does not show the kind of wrath of God evangelism that worries me. They seem to talk only about things the Bible calls sin, not threats of punishment for it.

I too get frustrated at some preachers. Some can preach too harshly and without wisdom. This gives people who do go out and preach a bad reputation. Many believers simply will not go out and share the Gospel now because of the fear of being called a "Hail, Fire and Judgement" preacher, or something like that.
"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth" 2 Timothy 2:24-25
and
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15

Since, Hail, Fire and Judgement preachers have given evangelism a bad name, today's churches often frown upon preaching outside the church. Many of today's churches prefer to teach that believers should go and make friends and then bring them to church so that the unbeliever can hear the Gospel. This is not what Jesus taught. He taught us that we should go out and preach the Gospel to all creation. To as many people as possible. Then, those who believe will become part of His family. This means that we fill the church with believers instead of people who are simply coming for friendship. People who simply come for friendship can learn to mimic true believers by singing, praying, doing kind things and they may even get baptised. Many may even hear the Gospel within the church but may not have a heart change as there are few who find the path of righteousness. So, we can fill the church with wolves instead of sheep. We need to be careful when doing friendship evangelism that we tell the unbeliever the Gospel and then if they choose to honour God, we should then invite them to church.
“The church is not meant to be a fortress but a training ground. We gather for equipping and scatter for mission.” Ed Stetzer
I am not saying that we should not do friendship evangelism. I am simply saying that we need to be careful how we do it. We need to make sure that the Gospel is said first and then if they have a heart change, invite them to church.

 

[d taylor]

You do need to post verses as you have never posted a verse to prove that someone who is saved is in the darkness. You have put your own interpretation of John 3 without backing it with scripture. Please put a verse to show how those in the darkness are believers. I have posted verses to show that those in the light are His. Now you should back your theology. - That is unless you can't back it with scripture.

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if you carried on an honest discussion i may would, but since you will twist what i post, around. You can keep waiting for examples.

 

[1Tonne]

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if you carried on an honest discussion i may would, but since you will twist what i post, around. You can keep waiting for examples.

LOL. That is because there is no verse to back your bad theology. Thanks.
You need to stop teaching your false Gospel if you cannot back it with verses.

 

[d taylor]

LOL. That is because there is no verse to back your bad theology. Thanks.
You need to stop teaching your false Gospel if you cannot back it with verses.

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i will teach the true gospel of belief in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation that is found in The Bible. And all your scripture twisting will not stop me. I feel sorry for the people you have been exposed to your beliefs, may they find the true gospel and be freed from the legalism you preach.

I mean you even place yourself at the great white throne judgment, that is an excellent sign of false teaching.

 

[1Tonne]

i will teach the true gospel of belief in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation that is found in The Bible. And all your scripture twisting will not stop me. I feel sorry for the people you have been exposed to your beliefs, may they find the true gospel and be freed from the legalism you preach.

You can continue to teach of believing in Jesus. But even the demons believe. I will continue to teach the true Gospel. That is, we are to believe in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life and if we truly believe, then we will act upon our beliefs as it says in James chapter 2. Faith without action is dead. It is no faith at all.

I mean you even place yourself at the great white throne judgment, that is an excellent sign of false teaching.

LOL. Now you are simply trying your best to divert the conversation by discrediting me with an eschatological argument since you could not back your false gospel with verses. That is funny. That is like you are thinking to yourself, "I lost one fight and so now I am going to try another one and hopefully I win this one so I can feel better" That makes me laugh.

Please do not divert the conversation. Please give me a verse that shows me how a believer is in the darkness. Back your gospel with verses.
(I can predict what your next post will be "if you carried on an honest discussion i may would, but since you will twist what i post, around. You can keep waiting for examples." This answer is simply trying to avoid the questions because you cannot back your gospel with verses)