Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
December 17, 1970
NUMBER 32, PAGE 3b

Visible Results

Larry Ray Hafley

After a series of meetings are concluded in which none are persuaded to believe on the Lord and be saved, it is often reported that "There were no visible results." I understand the use of the statement in that context, but all preaching produces "visible results."

Negatively

Frequently the visible results of the word preached are that men love darkness rather than light, error rather than truth, and sin rather than salvation. When people manifest a greater affinity and affection for the Devil than for the Lord, it is a visible result. Though those elucidated above are not beneficial, they are visible nonetheless.

When beneath the appeal of the gospel "Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I will call for thee," there was a visible result. And I speak not of the physical trembling. Think about it. In that same junction of thought, see Acts 13:44-46 for similar visible results.

Positively

Obviously, when one confesses Christ, or when one confesses fault, there are "visible results." But need there be such happy events before we can say, "There were visible results?" I think not.

Paul wrote of Philemon's "love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" (Phile. 1:5). He remembered "without ceasing" the "work of faith, and labour of love" of the church of the Thessalonians. (I Thess. 1:3) Are these not "visible results?" Whenever we see the fruit of the Spirit in an individual's life we are viewing the evidence of the gospel.

Even "the coats and garments which Dorcas made" may be said to be visible results of the righteousness of God. Again, I speak not of the coats and garments only. Thus, whenever and wherever the truth is set forth and the hearts and lives of men and women are "zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14), "which God hash before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10), we have "visible results."

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