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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2017 2:46:08 GMT -6
Hey all,
I have quite a few friends and close relatives and acquaintances where, whether I have had long conversations with them about theology or rather it has been what they have said briefly about their faith or lack thereof, a lot of people say something to the effect of "Do you honestly believe that the truth of Jesus Christ is that narrow and that exclusive?" or "Who are we to know what is right?" or "Don't you think it is bigger than all of that?" (with that being the story of Christianity per se)...
Anyway, I would love whatever assistance I could get from you brothers and sisters, because I feel like all I can say to those questions are:
a) It's all about faith
b) I believe we have a Creator who would want to reveal Himself to us, and would provide a means to Him.
And often times (in fact basically all of the time), that's not enough for them. Or they tell me that that is not sufficient for them.
So again, basically I'm asking for any good scripture or thoughts or opinions or truth that you have to help answer these questions of many agnostics in my life:
1) Do you honestly believe that the truth of Jesus Christ is that narrow and that exclusive?
2) Who are we to know what is right?
3) Don't you think it is bigger than just the story of Christianity?
Thank you so much for your help in this.
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Post by sawdy on Oct 26, 2017 9:42:09 GMT -6
Welcome @pillarofsaultgoodman I too, struggle with being an effective witness to family and friends. It is hard when put on the spot to answer questions that aren't coming from a place of love, but questions from people who honestly are trying to come up with every excuse possible not to believe. I was once in that position. Jesus was not enough for me. There had to be something else out their, perhaps some way of a cosmic creator with many different names. I was searching for something that didn't exist because I didn't want to face the truth. People don't like to hear that the prosperity dribble of things like The Secret doesn't actually exist. We are not God that can make our own desires come to fruition. God doesn't want us to desire the things of this world. In fact, he models this for us in Matthew 4:8-10 when Satan is tempting Jesus in the desert. Satan tried to give him everything of this world and Jesus rebukes him. I find it interesting that many of us know of that story but refuse to take it and apply it to our own lives as we live to keep up with the Joneses (or show off to the Joneses). Sorry kind of getting off track from your exact questions, so I will copy and paste them into here so I can try and answer them. 1) Do you honestly believe that the truth of Jesus Christ is that narrow and that exclusive? I typed in a search about the narrow path and found this answer that is a pretty good explanation. www.gotquestions.org/narrow-path.html Yes the path is narrow, but it is open to all who wish to follow it. So really, it is not exclusive. It does, however, exclude those who wish to not follow it. 2) Who are we to know what is right? Once again, ere is a better answer than I could ever write. www.gotquestions.org/correct-religion.html3) Don't you think it is bigger than just the story of Christianity? I think the last link covers this as well, so I will ask you what your personal answer to this question is. Are you able to answer this question emphatically? They are looking for your doubt. When you truly can answer without having to explain yourself, you are then able to turn the table around and start asking them the questions. I have listened to a lot of Ravi Zecharias at rzim.org/ I have also sent his 15 minute messages to friends to listen to. Why be out on the spot to trip up when they aren't listening to what you are saying, they just want to see you trip up? Ask if you can read an answer for them to their questions or provide them with a link to read an answer. The sad part is, they may not want to hear. I have a friend that has listened to things I have sent her, has heard my testimony and yet refuses to believe. That is where prayer comes in. We can't change our friends and family. We can only be a witness by showing what God has helped us change in ourselves and by sharing that news with others. Sometimes they won't want to listen and that is when we need to "move on" and try to share the gospel with others. In Matthew 10:5-15 Jesus commands the 12 disciples to go out and preach. I think we need to live by what is said in verse 11-14. I pray that we may be able to reach our family and friends with the Gospel message of salvation before the rapture or before they die. Many of us here on the boards have a loved one (or several) who is not walking the narrow path. I pray that God is able to help you to have the answers to their questions and that they have a softened heart that is ready to hear. |
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Post by nana on Oct 26, 2017 13:41:41 GMT -6
Hey all, I have quite a few friends and close relatives and acquaintances where, whether I have had long conversations with them about theology or rather it has been what they have said briefly about their faith or lack thereof, a lot of people say something to the effect of "Do you honestly believe that the truth of Jesus Christ is that narrow and that exclusive?" or "Who are we to know what is right?" or "Don't you think it is bigger than all of that?" (with that being the story of Christianity per se)... Anyway, I would love whatever assistance I could get from you brothers and sisters, because I feel like all I can say to those questions are: a) It's all about faith b) I believe we have a Creator who would want to reveal Himself to us, and would provide a means to Him. And often times (in fact basically all of the time), that's not enough for them. Or they tell me that that is not sufficient for them. So again, basically I'm asking for any good scripture or thoughts or opinions or truth that you have to help answer these questions of many agnostics in my life: 1) Do you honestly believe that the truth of Jesus Christ is that narrow and that exclusive? 2) Who are we to know what is right? 3) Don't you think it is bigger than just the story of Christianity? Thank you so much for your help in this. Personally, I believe God made salvation so simple even a child could understand, you just have to have the mind of a child and approach it so like. It is man, religions and satan that complicates it and tries to make it something it is not.
The simplicity is a stumbling block to many.
Jesus who left heaven, came to earth to die on the cross to pay your sin debt for you in full because that is the only way your sin could be covered and forgiven, by his shed sinless blood that atoned for your sin and God raised him from the dead. It is a gift paid for by Jesus himself, you can't buy it, you can't do it yourself, you can't earn it because it is already paid for. If you try to pay for it, it is not a gift then and this you could never pay for yourself anyway.
Do you believe it? Do accept it? Do you confess it with your mouth that Jesus is Lord? Jesus will never force anyone to come to him, he has a gift for you already paid for, do you want it or will you say no think you.
This is the simplest way to explain it at least for me.
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Post by nana on Oct 26, 2017 14:21:23 GMT -6
Scripture.
John 3:16- For God so loved the world (that's you), that he gave his only begotten Son (that's Jesus), that whosoever (that's you again) believeth in him (that's Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Post by MikeTaft on Oct 26, 2017 14:48:59 GMT -6
I completely agree with both sawdy & nana . What Jesus did on the cross was a free gift and it is very simple to understand. Just like the ABCs. Admit you are a sinner. Believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, that He died on the cross, arose from the grave, and raised to the right hand of the Father in order so that your sins may be forgiven. Call on the name of Jesus for Him to enter into your life. As sawdy mentioned, sometimes we need to "move on" after we share the Gospel, whether with family or a stranger. We are sowers in the field and Jesus gave plenty parables to show that not all seeds are going to grow in fertile soil. We just have to plant. It's the Holy Spirit that does the work. God makes it rain, and He makes the sun shine. It is God who nourishes the believer. On thing we can do is pray for those of whom we present this free gift of salvation to. We all have the free will to choose, and in the end, that's what it comes down to. |
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Post by mike on Oct 26, 2017 17:54:48 GMT -6
Some people I have come across either try to discredit the Bible due to alleged contradictions or won't agree it's God's word. So what I try to do is omit the Bible from the conversation at first. Find the common ground. What do they think? What is their worldview? Gather their thoughts and beliefs, you already know yours. As sawdy posted got questions is a good source for valid answers. However Dr Zacharias is so sound in his philosophy, I recommend listening to him and absorbing as much as humanly possible. I can't really absorb more than 5-10 minutes as he is just too deep and brilliant for me! I've watched several of his short videos several times to absorb some content. |
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Post by mike on Oct 26, 2017 18:32:16 GMT -6
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Post by mike on Oct 26, 2017 18:33:35 GMT -6
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Post by mike on Oct 26, 2017 18:41:54 GMT -6
Ok this video is nothing like the last two but Renee makes the gospel extremely simple. Her videos are very similar, but this one will challenge some people in their theology. I was once of this opinion but realized error a little while back. Check it out
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2017 22:23:33 GMT -6
mike wow I love those videos! Ravi Zacharias is a genius with words and tough questions and I especially loved seeing Renee's charisma for the truth! sawdy thanks for the warm welcome. As for my answer for the third question, yeah I usually resort to somewhat related arguments that I really have just learned from Ravi Zacharias (I'll bring up how truth by definition must be 'exclusive' and how if they believe in a moral code or law then it follows that there is a moral law-giver - this one they usually struggle with). I like how you put it: It feels like this a lot - like some people find the tiniest of questions to allow their doubt to scrape through. Thank you for your kind prayers and I will join you praying for their fruition. nana I'm glad you pointed out the simplicity of it all. I have a tendency to get into the nitty gritty of things and discuss 'complicated' and 'complex' matters of the bible and faith. But you're right, the gospel is simple and true and good - and either you accept it or you don't. I will make an effort to present it to people this way in love whenever prompted. MikeTaftOften times I get down on myself for not seeing the gospel touch the lives of people that are around me, but I suppose I (we), like you say, must remember that we just have the privilege to plant the seed when we may, and God takes care of the rest.
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