Respect or Conviction ? week 18, 2010

Hello sir, it has been a pleasure having you visit our church. “My pleasure.” Sir could I ask you a question? Do you have any thing against evangelism? You seemed to frown when the matter was brought up. “Well I certainly want you to express your faith, carry on, however I would not wish to upset a number of my friends by claiming they were on the road to hell!”
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? “I wonder at the question; of course I do. I admire his teachings and wish every one would emulate his exemplary life. I have respected the teachings of the faith from my youth.” That’s great sir, but may I say that respect is not the same as conviction. You may pay to watch a man walk on a rope between two buildings but may never permit him to carry you on such a journey. “And why may I ask did you use that analogy on me?” Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jn 14:6(ISV) I think if you are truly convinced Jesus is the only way to eternal life you would risk upsetting your friends that they may be saved like you would risk offending an alchoholic, or a smoker, by suggesting it is killing. You may respect Jesus but unless you are fully convinced about his claims you cannot be saved. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." Jn 8:24 (ISV)
“Are you suggesting the Christian life is a tight rope walk?” Ah, the way to eternal life can be compared favorably to it sir. "Go in through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is spacious that leads to destruction, and many people are entering by it. How narrow is the gate and how constricted is the road that leads to life, and few are the people who find it!" Mat 7:13, 14(ISV) Only Jesus who has gone through successfully guarantees you a safe passage. We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the holy place behind the curtain where Jesus went before us on our behalf. Heb 6:19, 20(GW)
“Well I know quite a number of adherents of other faiths who live even better and more upright lives than so called Christians; and I hate religious bigotry.” You may be right sir, but it is not the many so called Christians I want you to examine but the substance of your own convictions or lack of it. “Well that will be for another day.” Thank you for your time sir. “Thank you.”