We all have to start somewhere in regards to religion. No one is able to start with no concepts and no one starts with complete understanding. Since our lives are all different every person will have a unique starting point. This unique starting point will have an effect on how we view certain aspects of Christianity. Such as the promise of eternal life found within the pages of the Bible.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:28 (ESV)
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
For those of us who have been blessed to grow up in relative ease, the promise of eternal life sounds great. Even if you know nothing else about God. Because the thing people fear most is death. Not wanting to leave the life they have behind. So hearing that your life doesn’t have to end is automatically appealing. Then you add a Christian family background where you have been told about the glory of Heaven and you only desire eternal life more.
But not everyone shares this starting point though. Even people in our own towns and neighborhoods have lived tough lives. They have experienced pain, struggle, heartache, and suffering from an early age. In many cases, those feeling have followed them their whole lives. When they are told about eternal life they want nothing to do with it because their life has been miserable. Why would they want to live longer only to just live more? Because of their starting point, they simply can’t imagine life being any better.
It may sound shocking or unreal to many that others view eternal life in that way but it is true. It is important as Christians that we understand that others may not have the same background we do. That their starting point is different than theirs. Which has an effect on how we share the good news with them. Where all we needed to hear about was eternal life, they may need to be told more. Like all that changes in this eternal life. The loss of pain, suffering, sadness, and all things evil. To make room for never-ending peace, joy, love, and happiness. Spent in a close relationship with our creator.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Revelation 22:1–5 (ESV)
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Isaiah 51:11 (ESV)
11 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Our calling in life as followers of Jesus Christ is to make disciples of all people. As we do this we are going to meet people with all sorts of different starting points. Which will affect how they view what we tell them about God and the Bible. It’s important that we ask them some questions and figure out where they are starting from. What did their past look like and how is it different or similar to our own. The truth is, what worked in leading us toward salvation may not work on someone else. Simply because could be offering them something they don’t want or sharing a concept like the love of the father that they simply can’t relate to.
Eternal life is only one example of something that can be viewed differently based on where you are starting from. The truth is most of the teaching of scripture can apply in various ways depending on the life someone has lived. It’s important that we do our best to meet everyone where they are and show them what they need most from God’s word. Whether that’s eternal life, love, forgiveness, deliverance, peace, or anything else God offers His creation.
So as you go out into the world to fulfill the great commission remember to find out where the person you are sharing the Gospel with is starting. It could completely change the way in which you share even what seems like the most appealing subjects. Such as the promise of eternal life. That being said though, don’t let worrying about offering the wrong presentation stop you from sharing your faith. Because the most important you can do to show someone you love them is to point them to salvation through Jesus. Opening the door for at the least more conversations in the future.
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