In a recent twitter exchange, I posted the a link to a “Frameless Evangelism Framework,” and got the following response:
“I like this because it’s built on the premise of choice, not on the premise of consequence. The good news stands out this way.” ~ R. Korzeniowski, Jr.
Of course, it got me thinking. There’s a lot of talk regarding presenting the gospel these days, and that’s good. Although, according to these statistics, it looks like more talk than action. But, that’s a subject for another time.
If I had to give my gut reaction as to whether gospel presentations are predominantly given under the overarching theme of choice or consequences, I’d have to choose the latter. But, I’m not so sure that it’s the proper context.
In other words, when we present the gospel, do we talk more about the hearers choice or the consequences of their non-choice?
Certainly there are consequences of not choosing to believe the Good News, because Jesus himself warned us so: ”The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
On the other hand, the scriptures make it clear that none “choose” God. John 1:12,13 What about when the scripture says, “choose you this day whom you will serve?” Joshua 24:15 If you look closer at that verse, you’ll see why it should never be used to defend choice.
Regardless, I am not saying we should choose choice over consequences as an overarching theme when presenting the gospel or vice versa, but I am saying that there is a tendency in the church for one of these over the other. A few questions:
Does choice make the gospel stand out?
Must we speak of consequences when presenting the gospel?
How do we know if we are overemphasizing either in presenting the gospel?
Missionary in the Andes Mountains Cloud Forest Region of Ecuador. My last name, "Labrador," is the word that's used for "Vine Worker" in the Spanish Bible, and it's OK with me. 
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One of the great sermons by Jonathan Edwards comes to mind “Sinners in the Hands of a Mighty God” – definitely consequences focused.
Not to start a rant on pre-destination and free choice, it is interesting to note that God at times over-rides man’s free will – particularly to show them the stubbornness and nature of our unredeemed souls / hearts.
Our ability to “choose correctly” rather than the neutral “to make a choice” is possibly the real issue.
Left outside of God’s grace our choice will be to please ourselves.
I think that is the nub of the issue, after eating of the fruit of the true of knowledge, is that we as humans think we have the ability to decide/choose right from wrong by ourselves – duh! So not possible.
Thank God for His enabling power of Grace!
[Incidentally Edwards preached mounds of other stuff but he goes down in anthologies for that one sermon because that is dramatic, negative, and puts down Christianity]
I have heard it said that motivating by fear will produce legalistic Christians. I have been profoundly affected by Hufford’s “The Misunderstood God” because of the grace-filled picture it presents of God and the way much of the church has gotten it twisted.
Different people respond to different motivators. The problem with using only one strategy of presentation of the gospel is that it will only be effective with those for whom that strategy works. Which may be ok, if the Holy Spirit has impressed you to deliver one message faithfully. But if you/we are interested in reaching a wider variety of people, you/we have to cast a wider net, sharing a comprehensive message of the “Good News.” And if we’re making disciples (as opposed to collecting decision cards) we’ll be building continuing relationships; and in the process of that relationship, we will (or should be) sharing the choice AND the consequences in the sequence that best facilitates the choice.
In terms of consequences, we seem to focus on going to hell. The other angle on consequences is what happens when one agrees to follow Christ. I like this remark from “The Celtic Way of Evangelism,” talking about Patrick:
“Helping the Irish to imagine what they could become may have been Patrick’s most profound rhetorical achievement.”
Seeing people the way Christ sees them and seeing what they could become — the person God created them to be — is a “consequence” worth telling people about.