Are you a problem solver? Regardless of personality or gifting, I think everyone at least likes solutions to problems! What makes for good problem solving? I have started a bathroom remodelling project to solve the problem of a decades old bathroom in need of renovation. Besides updating the look and functionality of the space, a good solution will fix the water leak, repair some of the floor and wall, bring electrical service up to code, and provide better ventilation. Knowing how a bathroom ought to function helps me to see the scope of the whole project (or problem), and devise a solution. In other words, I have an “ideal” against which I measure the “real”. Most advice regarding problem solving boils down to three things: i) identifying the problem; ii) considering solutions to the problem; and iii) implementing the best solution.
The Christian faith, and specifically its gospel, uniquely solves humanity’s biggest problem: sin. Many Christians struggle to share the Christian gospel regularly and faithfully. I wish to commend this week a framework many have found very helpful: God, Man, Christ, and Response. Do you know what the biggest obstacle is to problem solving? Not knowing you have one! This is why good Christian witness begins with God. Have you ever tried giving someone a solution to a problem they don’t believe they have? With respect to the basic Christian gospel as Paul summarizes it: “that Christ died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3)”, our witness falls on deaf ears because the problem’s context isn’t understood – perhaps especially in our culture. Who is Jesus? Why does he care about me? What in the world is sin? These and other questions force us to learn how to better communicate the necessity and uniqueness of our precious gospel.
Something to See:
Before we define the problem, we present God. On this point we already have a massive head start for Paul tells us, “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world. (Rom. 1:19-20)” Below is a very small sample of the numerous verses describing God’s attributes. Learn how to confidently and faithfully present the God of the bible: the one who is the holy, just, merciful, loving, sovereign Creator of all things in order to remind people of what they know!
(For ex: Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Psalms 5:4; Psalms 89:14)