The administrator at the school seems to agree that it would be useful to the students. But I should start very soon, because there is a lot of ground to cover. I am of the belief that you need to cement your own beliefs before you go nosing in on others, and frankly, others will insist you nose in on them. Secondly, unless you are secure in your beliefs, you will not be able to confidantly explain what and why you do believe.
In the end, in dealing with an unbeliever, the goal is to unwaveringly represent Christ to him. Unfortunately, I see too many Christians taking a timid tact for fear of "pushing them away" they fail to see that the unredeemed man, living in sin, ought to be repelled by Christ. Roaches scatter when the lights come on. If the roaches aren't scattering, I would challenge your lightbulb.
We cannot take what is offensive to the sinful, and make it nonoffensive. In order to do this, first and foremost, we would have to admit that they are not sinful, as this is the initial, and possibly chief offense that we do to the non-believer. If we concede to them that they are without sin, then they have no need for Jesus Christ. If they have no need, then why do you fear that you will push them away? I say better to let them know that they are indeed the sinner, and they indeed need Christ. This charge is offensive to their sensibilities, indeed, everything in the world has been teaching them "You are no worse off than the person next to you, look at her! you don't do half the things wrong that she does, you will be allright. No one is condemning you!" This is a flat out lie, their own lives and consciences condemn them. If a christian's goal is to not offend, they'd best give up being a Christian at the outset.
This isn't to say that the first thing you say to a person is that they are going to hell! Unfortunately, when asked our opinion, we are obligated to give a truthful answer, if possible, a Biblical one, naming the Bible as the source. And believe me, if you are living your faith, you will get asked. They will ask you knowing full well that your answer will piss them off, but they ask in this hope: You are the closest to Christ that they know, if they get you to sign off on it, then perhaps it is not wrong in God's eyes either. Hence: it is crucual that you do not sign off on their sin! Otherwise you are a false Christ representer, indeed, very nearly an antichrist.
You won't have to wait long before the unbeliever asks if you think they are going to hell. It will be all fine and dandy one moment, you'll be sharing a common interest. Then for a moment things get serious, they rehash something they regret and ask it in this way: "Am I a bad person for doing that?" The answer is YES! but do not fret! there has not been a good person born, save for Christ Jesus, and he saves only the bad, so you are in the best of company to be a bad person interested in redemption, and why would they not want justification? Is this not the root reason they asked about their regret?
Doors open for us all the time, and they will call us judgemental, and arrogant, ignorant, part of a religious cult of extremists, or fundamentalists. What you need to see is that this is them RUNNING from the Christ they see in you, not you pushing them away from Christ. They are sadly misled, but this encounter with the light is their best chance for salvation. You cannot walk into a cave with your flashlight inside your coat and lead anyone to safety.
Besides, if they dont' get a chance to see light in you, they might not recognise it when they see it later!

No comments:
Post a Comment