The second barrier is one we may not
notice. While getting a person to realize that they are
spiritually lost is a big step, it does not automatically
lead to Christ. If it did, we would not have so many
religions in the world. Everyone who observes some sort of
religion recognizes some sort of need to appeal to some sort
of higher power.
Many people think that as soon as they
acknowledge the existence of God that they are no longer
lost. The Bible tells us that even the demons believe in
God, and shudder. Simply believing in the existence of God
does not get us anywhere.
As humanity stands, we are cut off
from God. We are sinful. God is holy. God won’t and can’t
have anything to do with us in our unclean state. This is
where the need for Christ comes in.
People do not realize that despite however good they try to
live their lives, they haven’t lived a perfect life and have
therefore sinned. They do not realize that their sin
separates them from God, that no sin can enter God’s
presence. People need to realize this before they can even
know that they need Jesus.
Once a person knows that they are
separated from God, then they realize they need a solution.
No other religion offers a permanent solution to sin. If
someone asks you why Christianity is different from other
religions, tell them this: Jews had to continually make
sacrifices to atone for their sins. Hindus must go through a
series of reincarnations before reaching nirvana and thus
cease reincarnating into this ugly world. Buddhists don’t
even deal with sin and just say that suffering is the result
of sin and enlightenment is the goal. Muslims have to cross
their fingers and hope they were good enough. Christianity
is the only religion that offers a once for all sacrifice
for sins. This is why we need Christ. The blood of Christ is
what washes away our sins and allows the sinner to enter
into God’s presence.
People need Christ. They need Christ
because they are spiritually lost. These people should
matter to us, because they matter to God. And we know that
they matter to God because he sent his son into the world to
die for our sins. Our foundation for evangelism makes a
complete circle.
If we first prepare ourselves and then
build a solid foundation, we will be ready to start building
in the lives of others. The next chapter will take us
through four values that will allow us to do this.
Next Chapter -
Building Walls, Tearing Down
Walls
