I’m trying out a quick three-post series, starting with this one. So, here it goes…
Have you ever been asked the question, “Why Are You A Christian”? If you work in a church, chances are, you have. Did you answer the way you wanted to? Had you thought it out before?
In my 25 years of life, I honestly don’t think anyone has ever asked me that. I have always lived in the heart of the “Bible Belt”, I have always gone to church, and I have always surrounded myself with people who have similar beliefs. Over time, some friends have slipped away from their faith, and others have all but denounced it. They all know my feelings about Christianity and my faithfulness to God, so no one has ever challenged me.
Sure, I’ve gotten plenty of questions about my beliefs on different religious topics, but no one trying to figure out why I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Strange, huh?
During a recent Bible Study group meeting, our group leader brought up the subject by saying, “You need a well thought-out and informative answer that isn’t too preachy or hard for a non-believer to understand.” Easier said than done, but he was right. It’s important to think out this answer and sound credible when someone asks. It is our mission as Christians to evangelize and reach out to the lost.
We all know that the answer is that we have faith… faith that God sent His only son to die on a cross for us so that we may be forgiven of our sins, and if we believe, we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. I think John 3:16 sums up the Bible best of all, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The trick, however, is to be conversational and to go more in-depth of your thoughts and experiences, but also to be patient and to listen. A lot.
Have you ever been asked this question? How do you answer it?