Why did I become a Christian?
A group of Christians were asked ‘Why did you become a Christian’ and came up with a varierty of answers,
‘Because it is true.’
‘Because I needed to be forgiven’
‘Because I understood the love of God for me,’ and so on.
It was pointed out to them that our English word ‘Why?’ has two meanings. One, is ‘What is the reason?’ and it was this that the above answers responded to. - “What is the reason I became a Christian?’ However there is another very important meaning of ‘Why?’ - that is ‘What is the purpose of my becoming a Christian?’ It is this meaning of ‘Why’ that this article focusses on.
Jesus’ purpose and example
A group of youngsters were asked,
“Why did Jesus enter his world?”
They were stumped and the leader had to explain what Jesus had said to Zacchaeus,
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10
The leader went on to remind them who Jesus is and what he came to establish: When Jesus began his ministry he went about,
“. . . proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said, ‘Repent and believe the good news!’” Mark 1:15
This was his main purpose. This ministry continued not just with public preaching but also with private conversations. The good news was how people can be made righteous and so become members of God’s kingdom. Note the phrase, ‘made righteous’ is key as it is impossible for anyone, however good they are to make themselves righteous enough for the all-holy God. Just as Abraham had to have righteousness credited to his account with God, so must everybody. This status of being made righteous is given as a gift to those who turn to genuinely follow Jesus.
Examples of Jesus’ private conversations with individuals about how they can become acceptable to God are frequent in the Bible. We have been given examples in his discussion with Nicodemus. This highly regarded honourable man was told by Jesus,
“I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3
The next chapter tells of a private conversation with a Samaritan woman who had had five husbands and was now living with another man. He explained to her that he was the only source of eternal life.
“Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Some years ago I was asked to give a series of mid-week talks on ‘Christian Basics’ at a thriving local Roman Catholic church. After the first talk an enthusiastic Irish lady came up to thank me.
“That was lovely,” she said, adding, “I don’t know why everybody isn’t a Christian..”
Feeling chuffed I agreed with her, but then she added,
“After all, all God requires is one hour a week!”
She had clearly not understood the implications of the gospel. What a disaster it is when Christians have not been taught what Jesus taught and demonstrated and are content to believe the doctrines and go to church!
All Christians have a purpose
Just as Jesus had a purpose, so all Christians have been chosen by God for a reason. I had a patient come to the surgical clinic wearing a beautiful silver cross round her neck. After sorting out the medical issue, I pointed to her cross and said,
“That’s a beautiful cross. May I ask you if that means you are a Christian?”
“Yes’” she replied rather hesitantly but then added,, ‘But it depends what you mean by a Christian.”
“Surely a Christian is someone who is sold out to serving the Lord Jesus,” I replied
“Oh, then I’m not,” came the reply.
Too many people seem to think that an intellectual acceptance of Christian doctrines and ethics is what God requires.
Jesus’ teaching
God is seeking long-term genuine worshippers. This is what Jesus wanted and this is what he trained his apostles to become. He sent them off on training missions to this end, saying to them,
“Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 10:6-7
He was training them to share the gospel with others, just as he was doing.
Jesus purpose was not just to make believers, his ambition is that we should all then become faithful servants. This is abundantly clear in the ‘Parable of the Ten Minas’ (Matthew 19:11-27) where the wicked servant did not use what gift he had for his master, and the similar stories of the ‘Parable of the Ten Virgins’ (Matthew 25:1-13) and the ‘Parable of the Talents’ (Matthew 25:14-29). The message is clear, we must become faithful servants – but what does this involve?
Jesus’ final commission to the disciples continues the need for them to go out amongst people to persuade them about the gospel. The following passages make it clear what Jesus expected of all his disciples.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, . . . “ Matthew 28:19
“Ah”, some may say, “ but wasn’t that just said to the eleven disciples?”
However Christians cannot exclude themselves from this responsibility because Jesus went on to say,
“. . . and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20
All Christians have the responsibility to make disciples.
The teaching in Acts
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon all the Christians in the form of ‘tongues of fire’. The immediate effect was that their tongues were on fire as they told others about the Lord Jesus.
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4
What is important is what they spoke about:
“We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues.” Acts 2:11
There has been much confusion in recent years over what tongues were ‘tongues’. The essential feature is what all the Christians talked about – ‘the wonders of God’ which in the context was the wonder of Jesus. Tongues were not used as a form of prayer to God but a means of communicating the gospel to others in words they could understand. All the Christians were enabled to do this.
The book of Acts reveals the remarkable courage of the early Christians in sharing the gospel with others. When arraigned before the powerful Sanhedrin, the ruling body of the Jews that had arranged for Jesus to be executed, Peter and John boldly exclaimed,
“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom god raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Acts 4:10
“Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
The Sanhedrin recognised that they were simply continuing the work of Jesus:
When they saw the courage of peter and John and realised they were just unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
When the apostles were ordered ‘not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus the two replied:
“Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard..” Acts 4:20
It is a great shame to hear Christians say that they do not think they have the gift to speak about Jesus. Every Christian has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit who works in us to make us like Jesus with a longing that those we meet should be saved and then mature into becoming effective Christians for Christ.
We read about Stephen and Philip who longed to share the gospel with others. What did they speak about?
“. . . he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.” Acts 8:12
What a tragedy it is to hear church leaders on the radio and on television speak about social and political issues but all too rarely mentioning Jesus and the salvation he can give people.
During revival times the most obvious characteristic is that Christians really fear God and two major effects are a conscieousness of sin and a longing to speak to others about how they too can be come right with God. These two features characterised those involved in the East African Revival.
Paul’s teaching
When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church he emphasised the need for all Christians to be ambassadors for Christ. Talking about all Christians he said:
“So we make it our goal to please him . . . For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” 2 Corinthians 5:11
There is no doubt he is referring to all Christians as he goes on to say:
“He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who dies for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
“All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18
“He has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:19
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
The next verse again emphasises who the ’we’ and ‘us’ are:
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
How this lesson needs to be relearned by our churches, all Christians are ‘God’s fellow-workers’ (2 Corinthians 6:1). In this regard all of us, male and female, are Christ’s priests. We are now all the intermediaries between God and man and all share the responsibility for the gospel to be spread. Peter stressed this very point,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Paul who longs that all Christians should imitate him as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16) gives us a glimpse of the way he lived,
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-24
Old Testament teachings
This double responsibilty of God’s people, to be holy and to share with all people the message about God’s love and the relationship he wants is repeatedly taught in the Old Testament. Thus a psalm reminds us:
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” Psalm 89:14-15
Even in King Solomon’s time the importance of sharing the gospel of forgiveness was seen as important.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
Daniel understood this twofold responsibilty of God’s people:
“Those who are wise will shine like the the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars for ever and ever..” Daniel 12:3
How will this radical change come about?
A recent survey revealed that over a six month period 80% of Christians never explained the gospel to anybody and did not even invite people to join them at an event where the gospel was explained. No wonder so many churches are failing.
I had a patient who was the church warden of a local Anglican church. After the medical issues had been dealt with I asked her:
“How is the church going?”
“Oh, it is getting difficult. Were are getting older and smaller!”
“Tell me, do member of the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?”
“Good gracious me no. We don’t even talk about him amongst ourselves.”
What a disastrous situation,that the church must die - if the situation doesn’t change,
Training
It is clear that in the New Testament every Christian is regarded as a minister of Christ. Consequently, just as thoseentering full-time ministry need training so surely does every Christian. If a person cannot explain something, they have not properly understood it. This training of others for ministry is a prime role of the senior men in a church. Paul wrote,
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastor teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.” Ephesians 4:11
The active troops in Christ’s army are to be the everyday Christians. Why can so few Christians clearly explain the gospel to their friends? It must partly be because we have not been trained to do this. Is listening to sermons, although very important, the best way to prepare people? Training sessions are surely vital for us all.
It is also the responsibility of church leaders to put on regular evangelistic events that will encourage Christians to invite their friends. Many churches have smaller weekly Bible Study groups, sometimes with a meal before. These could often be used more effectively both to motivate and to train people more effectively for outreach. Why do so many church small groups only invite Christians to come? Isn’t God’s word for everybody? What better model is there for people to see personal evangelism at work?
Ask questions
Starting a conversation with people we meet is often the hardest part. It matters not whether this is on a walk, in a train or anywhere. Asking questions with a smile shows we are interested in them and leads conversations on. When you ask a question it is very common for the same one to be asked back;
“Do you live round her?”
“Are you retired?”
“What work did you do?”
“How do you fill your time? Do you have any hobbies?”
My dog Kali, a black labrador, is an evangelistic dog. When out for of a walk, whenever she sees someone she goes up and says hello. Sceptics may think she is just after food but she gives a wonderful opportunity to open a conversation.
“I hope you don’t mind dogs, she is very friendly indeed . . .”
When they comment on how well behaved she is, it is simple to say,
“Well she needs to be. We have a lot of children come to our home from our church and if she was not so docile life would be very difficult.”
Sometimes people will ask which church I go to but even if they don’t it is natural to ask,
“Are you involved in a church, or aren’t you sure about these things?’
By giving them a way out not only means they are not feeling cornered but it enables a natural conversation about the Lord to follow. The secret of effective personal evangelism is to be able naturally to get to the point where you can ask,
“Are you a Christian yourself or aren’t you sure about this?”
It is then so natural to explain why and how you became a follower of the Lord Jesus.
Wherever the chat leads I like to give them an article explaining something that Jesus said. I always try to carry these with me. These articles, that explains the gospel, can say much more that I could say.
Follow up is important. If you can exchange e-mails and telephone numbers or arrange to meet up socially again that is ideal. The articles have my e-mail address and that of Christchurch Baldock. It also has the address of my website that is full of further articles and videos.
Christian Literature
A major concern of many is to doubt that the Bible is the Word of God because it seems to conflict with the findings of modern science. As a scientist I utterly deny this. I have discussed how the two can be reconciled in the book ‘Science and God, Enemies or Allies’, as they must be if the same God who created the world also came as Jesus and gave us Scripture.
I have learned always to carry an article that explains the gospel that I can give to anyone I come into contact with. The man who came to unblock a drain today gratefully received ‘mistakes, Mionor , Major or Catastrophic’ which can be found on this website.
Meals
How important these are, most people who become Christians in our area have first become friends with someone by being invited for a meal. Being hospitable is an essential ministry tool leading to real friendships and trust. Those not inviting others to their home and not going to others homes will seldom be effective for Christ.
Evangelistic group meals are very helpful indeed. At present we are running two ‘Exploring Christianity Groups’ where we major on what the gospel is and how we can know it is true. Questions and discussion are encouraged. One is at lunch on a Saturday so men can come and one is a brunch on Wednesday mid morning so retired and young mums can join in. Christians can carry around invitations to these that briefly explain what these groups are about for any who they meet who might be interested to joining one.
Prayer
Most churches have a problem with a lack of inclination to share the gospel. The main problem is a lack of commitment to the cause of Christ in our everyday life although a lack of training may be contributory. If we all prayed every day, ‘Lord, please may I explain the gospel to at least one person today’, many Christians lives would be radically changed leading to radical changes in others. The ideal would be for a day rarely to pass without our speaking to someone about the Lord Jesus.
“I don’t think I could do that.” someone may be thinking.
How does anyone become good at anything? A father once said to his six year old son,
“I forbid you to enter the pool until you have learned to swim!’
Feeling incompetent and repeatedly failing are the only way to become good at anything. It is not just a matter of perseverance, praying and repeated practice. There is a Chinese proverb that says,
“Man stand long time with mouth wide open, waiting for roast duck to fly in.”
The secret of being effective for Christ is to keep praying and keep work at being godly and knowing God’s word. We need to find ways to learn key verses of Scripture by heart so we can pass on our knowledge.
We have been given God’s Holy Spirit, his power, as a gift to enable all of us to be effective for him so ask yourself, ‘Am I effective and productive for Christ at present?’
In his final letter, before being executed, Peter reminded his readers both of the power God has given them and how they can use this to be effective Christians,
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him . . .” 2 Peter 1:3
“ . . . he had given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature . . .” 2 Peter 1:4
“For this every reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8
We so easily satisfy ourselves with anything else rather than prioritising living for the Lord Jesus. Jesus had a very different approach, saying to his disciples,
“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. . . I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. . . I send you to reap . . .” John 4:34-38
Should we not all pray to be able to see people as Jesus sees them and honour God above everything?
This teaching that God wants all Christians to be involved in ministering for him is further discussed in my book ‘The Duty of a Disciple’. Contact me on berniepalmer1@sky.com
