He mentioned several other ways by which people start on the path to Christ. His last paragraph describes his own experience:
"I am also a believer in a sixth way to find salvation. Better to call it a group of 'unconventional ways', since there are numerous ways, often improvised from some pertinent crux in life that causes a turn towards spirituality, and hopefully towards Jesus Christ. This is the way I have taken – this way has its ups and downs, lefts and rights – it goes from low bottom misery to highest heavens. I am never sure what makes me walk, but every time I stop some new turn of events in life puts me go forward, and at the same time someone draws me – and it is God´s Eternal Love."
What a blessing to have a brother in Christ in Finland, where I hope to visit one day!
People come to Christ in many different ways. God has a unique plan for each one of those who are His. Salvation is the common need of all people. The path by which they come to Christ will be different for each person. However, there must be some things in common to all.
1) Every person who comes to Christ must understand something about God, and must believe in His existence. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
2) Every person must understand that they have sinned, i.e. transgressed God's laws, and therefore are guilty, deserving of His wrath. The degree of the feeling of guilt will vary. Luther's was extreme, while others will be more mild. But still, the reality of guilty and wicked hearts must be dealt with by each one. I believe that most people in the world will not feel their need of Jesus until they feel their sin and guilt, and become aware of the danger they are in.
3) Every person must understand that salvation is a gift of God's grace, which cannot be earned by any effort on our part. This gift can only be received. All credit goes to God and to His Son who died and rose again. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
3) Every person must come to Christ for himself, and trust only in His death as the payment for sins and also believe in the resurrection. (Romans 10:9,10)
4) Every person must repent of sin as they come to Christ. They must turn around, have a change of mind and heart, and the proof will be a new life. In Luke 13:3 Jesus said, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
5) Every person who comes to Christ must seek to find out what pleases the Lord. This can only be discovered from the Bible. Therefore, the follower of Jesus must study the Scriptures, in the context of the church, where fellowship and corporate worship take place. Every believer should try to imitate Ezra the scribe of the Old Testament. Ezra 7:10 "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." We study, we put into practice what we learn, then we pass what we learn on to others. Especially we must obey the Great Commission and preach the gospel to all nations. This is the great challenge of all believers and all churches. Not simply to exist for ourselves only, but to proclaim the wonderful, liberating message of salvation in Christ alone. When a person believes in Christ, he becomes a new creature. When many people in a nation become new creatures, then that nation can be changed also. Change the heart of man, and change the soul of a nation. And as we fulfill this commission, we eagerly look forward to His triumphant return!
2 comments:
Mark,
I think this is a challenging format that you have started. Here is a real life question....My sister in-law is a practicing lesbian with a partner and two children that the partner had through artificial insemination. They both claim to 'believe' in God but are so hostile to the truth. My in-laws, while opposing the sin, (they are not strong Christians, if at all)have slowly dropped thier stance and have been embracing her and the kids more and more. We do not know what our response should be. She is as hostile as ever to the truth and is so angry that we are not accepting her 'happiness'and the source of it. Thoughts? comments?
Thanks for this question. It is always difficult to love people who are in rebellion against God. All we have to do is remember our own rebellion and how God loved us while we were yet sinners. (Rom 5:8) Remember the Christians who loved you and led you to Christ when you were defiant -- imitate them. A good question to ask is "What did Jesus do?" How did He deal with people who were "sinners"? OK, He didn't avoid them -- He hung out with tax-collectors and prostitutes. But, He always called them to repentance.
Try NOT to preach (hard for me), but simply get into a conversation. If you cannot have a conversation without them getting angry, then let them know you love them and are praying for them. Let them know you want to see them in heaven. Let them know you care about their soul and wait for a better time. Don't try to push truth down anyone's throat. Of course you cannot accept the sin any more than God accepts the sin. Before your next time together (Christmas?) spend time praying earnestly for their salvation and openness to the gospel. Pray that God would remove the hostility. And find ways to love them and serve them in Christ's name.
I encourage you and anyone reading this to listen to a few messages by Mark Cahill -- www.markcahill.org He has truly inspired me recently to love lost people enough to do something about it.
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