I hate it when you get stumped with a question, especially when it is something that you know, but aren't used to putting in words. It can happen very easily when you are out witnessing. People will ask you questions that you should know, but just aren't used to answering. All of a sudden it can become uncomfortable and make you feel like a fool.
The thing to remember is that people are hoping for a good answer, even if our tone sounds a little malicious, we merely desire to be communicated with in a way that we understand and appreciate. Very few are looking for a religious theory debate, sometimes all it takes is a deep breath and thinking about the answer in the simplest terms you can. To often, we try to convince people by describing the complexity of their situation, instead of explaining the "simplicity" that is in Christ.
In my own walk, I have fallen short of the mark so often. There have been many times that I left an encounter feeling less than a good Christian. I wish I had know these simple principles to use as a guideline for such questions.
What is being saved and why do we need salvation? Jesus offers us the gift of salvation as a means of life. "I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). We want/need to be saved, because mankind has fallen from his originally intended place in God. Our willful sin separated us from our relationship with God. The consequences of sin is death. [James 1:15].
Because we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God(Romans 3:23) we are all under the curse of death. The Holy Bible tells us that we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity (Psalm 51:5) this outer core is serving a death sentence. None of us, Christian or non-Christian, will escape the expiration date that we are all born with. This veil of flesh is temporary. Only a cloak that serves to bring us to eternity, but the body does not and cannot contain the soul and spirit of a man. This God desired to save.
However, what is God saving us from? the devil? No. The devil is an instrument of God and just like any angel has a realm of power that he is allowed to operate within. We are being saved from the wrath of God. Simply put, our initial disobedience demanded a sacrifice. The consequence of Adam's fall was death and by God's justice that sentence had to be carried out (Genesis 2:17).
Our limited earthly life span is merely an illustration of the spiritual death that we are all condemned to. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (St. John 3:16) Jesus came and paid the ultimate price (His death on the cross) and through it proved His ultimate love for us and also His ability to conquer death (His glorious resurrection).
Though it is an oversimplified view. These are some of the reasons that we have to give others that inquire about Christianity. We accept the limits of our present life but look forward to the next with glorious anticipation! It's about not living in fear of there being no tomorrow's. It's about the true peace that comes when Jesus enters your heart. |
