A is for Available

Just as the first talking point in the “plan of salvation”is forgiveness, or helping someone to realize their need for it, the second isthe availability of forgiveness to any who come to God seeking it.

For God so loved theworld that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall notperish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Most of us are incredibly familiar with this oft-quotedpassage, but a key component of salvation that often goes overlooked is that itdoes require something on our part.

Not everyone who saysto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one whodoes the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 7:21

Forgiveness is available for all, but it is notautomatic.  It requires acknowledging ourneed for God, accepting the forgiveness that is available, and submitting toGod’s will for our lives.

F is for FORGIVENESS

So often Christians desire to share their faith with people,but aren’t really sure what to say.  Sometimesan authentic God-centered lifestyle really is enough to spark conversationabout faith, and sometimes it takes words, but at some point it will alwayslead to discussing what is commonly referred to as the “plan of salvation.”

I’m going to spend the next few posts looking at an acronymfor faith I came across while studying several years ago.  Yes, it is cheesy, as all good acronymstypically are, but its principles are superb. It is essentially your primary talking points when discussing salvationwith someone unfamiliar to this concept.

F is for FORGIVENESS.

In him we haveredemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with theriches of God’s grace. – Ephesians 1:7

Each of us needs forgiveness in our lives.  Your failures and moral misgivings are yourown.  No one else can vouch for them,well no one amongst your normal social circles. The fact of the matter is that we are, all of us, in desperate need of reconnectionwith the Father.  This is only achievedthrough forgiveness, which in turn only comes through Christ.

The first point of communication then is in helping someoneunderstand their need for God.  Untilthey realize this, there is no moving forward.

Some Presidential Thoughts

The following is a list of quotes about the bible from American presidents, courtesy of The American Patriot's Bible.

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. - George Washington, 1st President

The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible. I speak as a man of the world...and I say to you, "Search the Scriptures." - John Quincy Adams, 6th President

That book, sir, is the rock on which our republic rests. - Andrew Jackson, 7th President

In regard for this Great Book, I have this to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the Good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book are we indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. - Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President

If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together? - Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President

The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture. - Woodrow Wilson, 28th President

The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions. The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country. - Calvin Coolidge, 30th President

We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity. - Franklin Roosevelt, 32nd President

The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul . . . If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State! - Harry Truman, 33rd President

Inside the Bible's pages lie all the answers to all of the problems man has ever known . . . It is my firm belief that the enduring values presented in its pages have a great meaning for each of us and for our nation. The Bible can touch our hearts, order our minds, and refresh our souls. - Ronald Reagan, 40th President

Share Your Faith: Connect Socially

Sharing your faith is one of the most basic principles of Christianity, yet it is largely ignored in terms of serious teaching or discipline.  I'm not suggesting the following is anything overtly intellectual or deep; but it is serious, and for those wishing to share their faith, it is practical.

One of the greatest stories in all of the gospels is recorded in John 4:1-26. This wonderful account details Christ's interaction with a Samaritan woman at a well. I believe that anything we do as Christians can be patterned after the way Christ did things.  There are some great truths we can take away from Christ's interaction with the woman that will help us in communicating the Gospel.

1) Connect Socially

In the Church-world we're getting really good at separating ourselves from the rest of the world; but separation doesn't mean isolation.  We live where we live, around whom we live around.  We work where we work, with whom we work.  I'm not sure why we feel like that simply because we're believers  that we are supposed to suddenly cease all connection with anyone that is not a believer.  It's like the only place that we feel comfortable interacting with non-believers is within the apparent safety of our churches.

When people aren't coming to Christ, it's usually because the Church is not taking Christ to the people who need Him most.  We really have to get rid of this naivety we have about thinking people will just show up and make life-changing decisions simply because we have a Christmas program, potluck, or Super-Bowl Party.  These are all great events, for building relationships, but if you're not actively trying to get non-believers there stop thinking they'll show up on their own.

Finally, withdrawing ourselves from those who have not heard or obeyed the gospel is completely, and entirely, contrary to the will of God.  Stop hiding behind the walls of this weird little Christian sub-culture we've whipped up in the last fifty years.  Get out there, connect with unbelievers, and build actual relationships with them that show Christ's love.

2) Common Interest
3) Spiritual Interest