*Note Abraham's 2009 Disclaimer Below

2007 - This is a song written by my friend Abraham Juliot. I set it to photos and displayed the lyrics. The song was very hard for me to listen to at first, because it is so convicting, but now, one year later, it has made a huge impact. I am finally involved in the Great Commission, whereas before I was in the "Okay Optional Calling" - whatever that is! More music of Abe's and others is at my site:
music.theopenlife.com.

* 2009 Disclaimer for "Who did you tell?" - In the year of 2004 – 2007 I was highly influenced by revival preachers (such as Keith Green, Leonard Ravenhill, and Keith Daniel) and it certainly influenced my music. My understanding of the gospel at the time was very weak and feeble. Track 2, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 represent my zeal for world evangelization during those years. This may sound like a good zeal. But, when we move away from a zeal for God and His gospel, we are left with hyper man-centered evangelistic endeavors void of a pure gospel declaration. Sadly, this was all that I had during those years. I even held the error of thinking that souls go to hell because we didn’t witness to them.

Nowadays, my theology and message is God-centered and based upon pure sovereign grace. I still have a desire to preach the gospel. I usually go street witnessing on a monthly basis. But, I’m not driven by guilt anymore and I no longer place guilt trips on others for not witnessing. The reason why many Christians don’t witness is because they have not been enriched and built up by the gospel. Our desire to witness comes very naturally when we are amazed at the glory of God’s sovereign grace and the glory of His sovereign wrath. We should be teaching our congregations the riches of God’s glory in the gospel and this will naturally stir them to preach it. If we seek to place guilt on Christians, we stir in them weak and frail motives to preach. I was the product of this. I would witness frantically with much zeal, but my message was void of sovereign grace and much of it was stirred up by the flesh rather than the joy of salvation. Now, I desire to spend more time at the feet of Jesus, rather than frantically trying to save everyone.

While listening to these tracks, I ask that you would listen with discernment and understand that zeal without a pure gospel motive is foolishness. Be encouraged to preach the gospel because of the gospel, not because you feel guilty for not witnessing to everybody. I would like to add that we should be ashamed if we have slightest bit of carelessness towards the state of the lost. We should be ashamed if we get more joy from the entertainment theater than exalting God’s gospel. If you get this from my music, let it drive you to look to Christ and be amazed at His compassion and love towards you. This will stir you to have compassion to the lost. The lost sheep must be found. They shall be my brothers and sisters for eternity. Do I long for them to come home to Christ? [See Luke 15:1-10]

Grace be with you in Jesus name, -Abraham"