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At the beginning of this program we learned: “People have many reasons for rejecting the Christian faith. Some may admire Christ but dislike His followers. Others find it difficult to accept any faith that claims to be the only way to God. Why would anyone limit themselves to only one of the world’s great religions?” How valid are each of these objections? What is your response to each?
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I think to claim that someone’s concerns or reasons for what they think is invalid would be arrogant. We all make our choices on what we believe based on the information that we have at the time.
My response to someone who does not like Jesus’ followers would be that they have a right to be concerned. A great many atrocities have been done in His name. They span the length and breadth of history. The Crusades come to mind as one such event. An ongoing modern event would be the way some Christians treat people who choose a homosexual lifestyle. I would acknowledge that Christians do not always do a good job of representing who Christ was/is. Jesus taught us to love the sinner, not the sin. God gave us free will for a reason. I would encourage the person to look to who Jesus says he is, not who humans say he is. I would also point out that faith is a journey that includes growth, but that growth comes over time. We are never done with the journey or the growth until we are done with this world.
For the second, I would discuss the meaning of faith and how diluting what you believe by a multitude of beliefs defies its meaning.
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The Bible is full of Jesus miracles and for those that even witnessed them had a hard time believing in Christ Jesus. Even his own followers were amazed and afraid of when he calmed the wind and the water. One thing might be a reason for that, that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. How much more easy it is for me to believe that Christ was raised from the dead, due to the faith I have been given by God and through his mighty Word that we have. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. These individuals didn’t have the New Testament, as we have. Also my personal testimony might also be used to call those who are Gods future children. I pray that God will use me in turning hearts toward Christ Jesus. As for other religions, none of them have a savior whom offers them the free gift of salvation and redemption of sins.
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Some dislike Jews. Narrow view of one way is against human nature but you must live by faith. There can only be one way to honor God, through his Son.
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1. People often see people in a church as “hypocrites” and if this is what other believers do, I dont want to be any part of it. I would say to that person- we are all sinners, even those you see in a church. We do not go to church to follow the other poeple, but to follow christ and commune with other people. We are all imperfect people trying to follow a perfect God.
2. Only way to God: I think these people are scared. If Jesus really is who he says he is, that means that everyone who doesnt believe in Him is going to hell- thats a tough pill to swallow! CHristianity is the only “religion” where God reached down to us, not us trying to reach up to Him. He sent his son to this world to become one of us, so that he can save us.
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Many of Christs followers were lowly not the pick of the crop by worldly standards. There is only one true God and His way is undivided. Why limit to one because there is only one true God and one true way. These objections are based on the fear these people have. they can’t step out in faith.
