Do you ever wonder if someone is a Christian? Have you ever assumed a loved one knows the Truth of salvation? How can you be sure if someone you love and care about is truly eternity ready?
These are the thoughts that have been on my mind these last couple of days. You see my husband Jeremy’s grandmother suffered a serious stroke this past week, and we went and spent time with her and Jeremy’s grandfather. As I sit there in the hospital, I realized that I hadn’t ever really talked about salvation with either of them. They both attend church every Sunday and are involved in their church. They are quiet committed family people. In fact, I would say that their family is everything to them. At least, from my perspective it appears that way. I have had some good meaningful conversations with them over the years, and I guess I just assumed that at some point before I met them they made a decision to be a Christian.
So, what if this assumption on my part is false? What if even though these two wonderful people whom I have grown to love since marrying their grandson never made a solid choice to accept the gift of salvation and eternal life with God? What are the right words to say in such a situation?
These are the many thoughts I have been pondering since I sat and visited with them in the hospital.
Here is the answers I am coming up with:
The first thing I realize is that many people call themselves Christians, so to ask if someone is a Christian is probably not going to get me the answer I am looking for. So maybe a better question is, “Can you tell me about the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior from your sins?” I realize that a true Christian is someone who has admitted they are a sinner and in need of a savior. A true Christian is someone who also realizes there is only ONE God and that Jesus is the only person who lived and died a sinless life. A true Christian realizes that Jesus is and was and always will be God. That he came to earth as a man and died for all sin, but to be forgiven a true Christian must accept this gift of salvation. A true Christian acknowledges that Jesus rose from the dead and conquered death, and that because of this he is the only way to an eternal relationship with a Holy and Righteous God.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:9-13
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Next I realize that it is better to risk offending a love one and asking them about being a Christian than it is to risk they are not. So often we worry about what others think, but isn’t it better to worry about what God thinks. He tells us to reach the lost near and far, and who better to take to heaven with us than those we love here on earth.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The last thing I realized is I don’t want anyone to have to wonder if I am heaven bound. I want to live my life in a way that everything I do says to others I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I want to be ever ready to share the Gospel Truth with everyone and anyone. I want to live a life that leaves no question that God is the center of who I am and hope to be.
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Have you ever read the book *Share Jesus Without Fear*, by William Fay? My husband is doing a Sunday evening series on it right now. Very good…
Love,
~Anne