IS SCARED SAVED THE BEST WAY?
ROMANS 2:4
ROMANS 2:4 NKJ
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
OBSERVATION:
I distinctly remember a program in the 70s designed to help juveniles who were high risk. They were high risk for winding up in prison.
They would take groups of these young men into maximum security prisons, where they would meet with inmates. The inmates would then tell them what prison life was going to be for them if they came.
The inmates pulled no punches, and often these young tough guys were reduced to tears. The program was called Scared Straight.
I do not know if this program is still in operation today. Nor do I know how effective it was in the lives of these high-risk youth. It was a fear-based program.
Some people today believe that scaring people with the threat of God's punishment or judgment is the way to reach the lost. They are adopting a scared saved approach.
But our scripture for today indicates that it is not fear that causes us to repent and change. Instead, it's God's goodness that turns our hearts and turns our life.
My concern with a scared saved program for reaching the lost is that it establishes a fear-based relationship with God.
But when we preach about how good God is. How He made a way for us to be connected to Him. When we declare His love and goodness, it becomes a better foundation for a relationship.
APPLICATION:
We should always have a reverent respect for God. Our approach to Him should not be casual. He is to be treated with greater respect than your BFF.
But it is His goodness to us that prompts lasting change in our lives. We are not afraid of getting caught. Instead, we are so thankful for His gracious, kind ways with us, even though we have not deserved such mercy. We respond to Him out of a grateful heart. He is good. So good.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, You have been better to me than I deserve. Thank You for Your goodness.