The Bridge to the Kingdom- Futility- WEDNESDAY

If we could see the inner condition of mankind, we would see a somber death walk through life.  If we could overlook the counterfeits that deceive us about success, happiness and significance, we could see people walking through life with a quiet desperation.  Jesus referenced this hidden dynamic seen in the crowds that followed Him around. They were desperate for hope that things could be better ...that things would have a good ending.  He looked at them as "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

I believe the most important question that anyone will ever ask is, "What happens to me after I die?"  If this is so, and I can tell you that at the end of life this is about the only thing people think of if they do not know the answer, it explains why people live with a feeling of doom.  It is an anxious feeling that things will not end well, and if I believe what the Bible says about the future of the human race, there is reason to believe it will not end well.  Remember the passage from yesterday?  "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already."  I know it seems unfair that we are born into the consequence of sin before we take a breath.  But it doesn't have to end there.  There is hope, and Jesus brought us this hope.  There is an escape plan, and Jesus secured it.  There is an answer, and Jesus gives it to us.  The answer to the most important question is found by faith in the grace God has given us through Jesus Christ who lived, who was crucified for you and me, and who on the third day was resurrected from death to life.  But we must believe these facts if we are to receive God's provision of salvation.  If we will accept His provision for escaping our condemnation, then we must follow His plan and in the way He prescribed it.

When I share the Gospel message with a non-believer, I know that it would be so easy to leave out some very uncomfortable points that need explanation.  For instance:  Is there a hell?  Yes, there is.  I do not know what it will be like.  I do not know anything about it other than it will be the worse place we will be in for eternity.  It is a place to avoid if we are able.  We do not avoid it because we do good things or because we are good guys.  We do not avoid it because we are better than the worst killers or rapists or the misled and demented terrorists we read about in the news.  They don't avoid it because of being a martyr for their false religion.  Ironically, these "martyrs"only speed up their arrival to their destination in hell for they ended their life before accepting God's provision to escape condemnation.

Then there is the question, "What about people who are not exposed to the Gospel?"  I don't know what provision God has for them.  I only know that for those who are exposed to His rescue plan, we are given a choice to make.  Will we believe in this plan or not?  The excuse about not being given an opportunity to believe is being quickly eliminated, for the Bible is now in every nation in the world, and the Gospel is being proclaimed broadly.  I have heard of numerous, miraculous stories from the Middle East where Muslims are being converted because of visions of Christ.  Christian missionaries are not allowed there.  Threat of death and imprisonment and persecution are limitations for mere mortals who would like to go and tell the Gospel to people in these countries.  Since they cannot, the Holy Spirit is making Himself known to these people and they will have a choice just like you and I do, for He will accomplish His purpose to give them the right to choose His plan.

If we speak to a non-believer about the Gospel, we must be clear on four points:

Tomorrow we will discuss point three.