I’ve been pondering a question that has derailed many of my attempts to share the Gospel to non-Christians: “why do I need a Savior?”
Part of the challenge is the in-your-face nature of calling someone a sinner. Typically this is done by quoting a commandment (such as #9 – Thou Shalt Not Lie), followed by a convicting question like, “have you ever told a lie?” and a bible thumping “then you are a sinner, and you must repent to escape hell.” It is a good approach biblically speaking, but I just struggle to do that in real life.
Besides, terms like sin, judgment and repentance are meaningless for non-Christians. Worse, they could have a distorted meaning and come with much emotional baggage. These words are often associated with ploys to guilt someone into attending (and giving money) to the church, or with arrogant expressions of religious superiority.
The heart of the problem is that a normal person’s view of “good enough” simply doesn’t cut it according to God’s standards. The purpose of the law is to convict us of this, but our stubborn hearts are masters of excuses. Take the example of the lie – it leads to a tough debate on whether harmless white lies count as sin. Real life is filled with gray areas. Even the Bible admits this by calling for discernment (Philippians 1:9-11).
Now most people who will not admit to being “sinful” will admit to being imperfect, and a case could be made that God, who is perfect, would therefore disallow them from heaven. But we live in the age of Tolerance, and a God who only wants people to never mistakes is not believable at all. We are content to live by our own standards as long as we “don’t hurt anyone”.
The fact is, God does not define perfection as “never making a mistake.” What God requires is a heart that loves perfectly and unconditionally:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Understanding that God requires all men and women to show unconditional love may be the key to a believable, biblical response to this troublesome question. We live in a world where people just want to get along with each other, where tolerance has become the ultimate ideal. But tolerance is a bankrupt idea. We only let others do whatever they think is right, if we don’t think it’s absolutely wrong.
Tolerance must now give way to unconditional love. It loves what is right, discerns what is debatable, hates what is evil, and forgives all wrongs. It upholds justice and reconciles broken relationships. It sacrifices self for the sake of all, and does so with incomparable joy. And the Bible says that this is exactly what God asks.
I’m still figuring this out myself, but the next time someone asks me why he or she needs a Savior, I think I have an answer that cuts through all excuses. It doesn’t guarantee repentance, but hopefully I will have clarified what God expects from people, and hopefully they feel that unconditional love can be their ultimate ideal as well.
Posted on August 30, 2011
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