August 06, 2023
Greetings and blessings to all of you. There are a lot of people including your loved ones that are living without eternal life. According to a Christian study nearly 35% of Americans have no idea what will happen to them after they die. To comfort themselves they attempt to mold Jesus into an image they can deal with. They want a Jesus that will allow room for all their behaviors good and bad without consequences. Paul said in Acts 17:22-34 “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an alter with this inscription {to the unknown god.”} How do we (as practicing loving Christians) engage unbelievers/seekers in a discussion of our beliefs as a way to introduce Christ when most believe that science is the final authority and not the Word of God? We must use APOLOGETICS. It is literally a defense of our faith. We know the unbelievers need spiritual salt and light because they are deceived just as Worldly Wise was in the classic Pilgrims Progress. The contemporary world with its increasingly corrupt culture and its darker and darker outlook… does not know Christ. Hope is in short supply in our culture these days especially for the young people and the elderly. Many people are spiritually lost due to the sinful preoccupations of this world. They can’t find their way to the Father’s house unless believers sweep through the world with the wisdom of God. We have to learn to explain our beliefs by using apologetics with an understanding of their beliefs in order to dialog effectively with a goal in mind. That goal is to help them develop an intellectual and reasonable examination of the Christian message. The Word says, “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you yet do it with gentleness and respect”. (I Peter 3:15) …The message (the gospel) itself is always capable of persuading. It answers questions such as why there is suffering in the world, their doubts and struggles, life after death, and other pertinent concerns the seekers or unbelievers may have. Sometimes out of genuine concern for a person eternal life the dialog can become emotionally charged. Since we have the spirit of self-control, kindness, and gentleness we are equipped to defend the gospel without anger and disrespect. So let us begin sharing the Word.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC