Shaky Faith?
By Susan Klein
“Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience…”
1 Peter 3:15b (NIV)
Recently, as a
friend and I strolled the streets of a festival, we passed a young man with a
sign that read, “Jesus came to die for sinners who stop sinning.” Somewhat uneasy
about the last three words, we felt the need to inquire about his theology.
He first asked us a
few questions to determine our beliefs. Agreeing that the Bible is the inspired
Word of God, and that we’re granted free will, put him at ease. He spent much
time backing his position that if we are believers, we must choose to not sin
anymore. At no time did we argue, always showing respect for each other’s
viewpoint.
After listening for
a while, we discovered that he believes salvation
is based on one’s choice to not sin. In other words, you must completely stop
sinning to be saved. I asked if that made salvation conditional on our behavior
rather than on God’s gift of grace. He quoted several verses that he felt
defended salvation by works/obedience.
Wanting to clarify his
true perspective, I gently implored, “Are you saying that if you (a professed
believer in Jesus Christ) sin tomorrow, you will lose your salvation?”
This brought an
emotional response from him. Visibly shaking, he replied, “Yes.”
My heart ached. I
needed to give him the reason for the hope that I have.
Sometimes, wrong
teaching or even difficult life circumstances can cause us to doubt the
security of our salvation. I discovered this man was speaking from a place of
hurt, feeling he’d been lied to in the past. As a result, he lives with shaky
faith, and the awful burden of trying to constantly re-earn his salvation. And,
unfortunately, this is the message he is promoting.
I gently shared with
him that Jesus didn’t die only for past sins, but for every sin we will ever commit,
once for all. I wanted him to
believe that we are saved solely by grace,
through faith, not by any good deeds and that salvation is a free and
irrevocable gift from God. I, however, could not change his mind. [1]
I left promising to
pray for him. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will speak truth into his heart,
showing him that, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” [2]
GOING DEEPER:
1. Has anything, or anyone, ever
shaken your faith?
2. Are you prepared to give an
answer for the hope you have?
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys
teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is
a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.
[1] 1 Peter 3:18
[2] Galatians 5:1
