Three Of The Most Important Question Christians Need To Ask

With Thanksgiving coming up some of the “prodigals” in your life may be coming home soon. Many of us have teenage, or adult children, or grandchildren who say they are Christians but appear us to be apathetic and luke-warm about following him. We’ve asked them about attending church, or some Christian concert, or other event with us and there’s just no interest, or if they do it’s more out of respect than enthusiasm.

I’ve been praying deeply for wisdom how to breakthrough to a few in my life. Because the scary part is that they think they are Christians because they “believe in God and the Bible.” So the following are questions I recommend you send to certain family members who appear to be apathetic about their faith, via email in the hope of getting them to think more profoundly about true faith.

“Dear ?

I can’t tell you how much your grandmother and I love you. I hope you‘ve always known that. We’ve watched you grow into a young man we’re incredibly proud of.

We’ve also notice your faith in and love for Jesus you expressed when you were younger just isn’t the same anymore. You appear to be indifferent to following Jesus but we still sense you consider yourself a Christian. Frankly, when your grandmother and I were younger, while we attended church regularly most of the time we were just being religious, not really sold out to Jesus. Nevertheless, we both thought we were Christians because we believed in the Bible, believed in Jesus and tried to serve and live moral lives. But the truth was at the time I was not a born-again follower of Jesus. I was a religious Christian, but I just didn’t know any different. The following are three questions I wish someone had asked me to unmask my cultural Christianity.

1. Do you believe Jesus was and still is God?

2. Do you believe with confidence the things Jesus taught about himself, his death burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins actually happened and that all true followers of his should live as he taught,even if you have reservations about other things in the Bible?

3. If your answers to #1 and #2 are yes, then what are do doing to live more purposefully for Jesus? What does that look like for you?

   “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, only only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matt 7:21

Here’s the point. Even if your answers to #1 and #2 are yes it’s important for you to know that the Bible teaches you still may not be a true Christian. Because no one can claim to be “saved” and a follower of Jesus without a serious desire to live as he taught, “Doing the will of the Father.” For the first 31 years of my life I believed in Jesus, I just wasn’t willing to live for him.

I know you’re really turned off to evangelical Christians who are supporting leaders and policies which appear to be antithetical to Jesus teachings. You’re embarrassed that so many Christians appear to hate LGBTQ people, are indifferent to the poor and immigrants, or are so unkind to those who disagree with them. I want you to consider these possibilities: They may not be true Christians at all. Or they’ve been duped into believing it’s more important to believe in Jesus than it is to behave like him.

But someday they and you and I will stand alone before Jesus to be judged on not only what we believed about Jesus, but on how we lived which is the true test of authentic faith. Please don’t let the disobedience, or ignorance of other “Christians” keep you from loving and living for Jesus. He’s not going to be grading on the curve. You will be judged to either faithful to him, or unfaithful (lukewarm.)

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelations 3:15-16

We would be honored to meet with you to discuss what you believe and why. We also know we cannot talk you into believing something you don’t. So, the ball is in your court. Just know this; We love you deeply and want only the best for you. As Joshua in the Bible once said, “Chose you this day who you will serve…” Just know that regarding Jesus, no choice, is also a choice. A dangerous choice.

Because we love you so much, Grandma and Grandpa

One last suggestion. Please don’t have the follow-up conversation based on your email in front of family or friends. It’s my experience if you back someone into a corner, you’ll either break their spirit, or they’ll come out swinging. You want neither. Pray about a safe place to meet them. And listen more than you speak. When people ask me what I hope to accomplish when I meet with young people the answer is simple. “I want them to be willing to meet with me again.”