Truth Fighter Round 1

2 Tim 2:23-26 (NKJV)

23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

If you’re like me and you have those run-ins with folk who wish to give you their view on the Christian faith (and in some cases ask of the hope you have), you are left with a couple of choices which might lead to one of the following outcomes.

● The conversations end with your successful defense of the faith

● The discourse ends with you being confused and shaken concerning your own salvation

● The exchange ends with you effectively communicating the Gospel

● You have won a soul to Christ

Although it’s highly possible that more outcomes exist, I for one prefer either the last two out above any other. I honestly believe that sometimes God brings situations (religious discussions) like this to us for the purpose introducing that person to the love of God through Christ (1 John 4:9, John 3:16) , and also be reconciled to the Father (2 Cor. 5:18).

I praise God that I have had two experiences such as this before writing this article. One of which involved a woman of the Seventh-Day Adventist group and another involving a Muslim man. Both discourses were peaceful and void of contention (on my end), and also most importantly salvation was the focal point.

Here’s where I’d like to give a heads-up to all my siblings in the faith and fellow apologists: The key issue is salvation, it always has been. Don’t get caught up in sharing how much you think you know or simply discussing doctrine. Salvation is what folks without Christ do not have. Folks from other faiths give absolutely no mention of salvation when confronting Christians (it is something alien to them), and thus must be steered in that direction and toward to Him who can save them from their sins (John 8:24).

In the first encounter I mentioned with the SDA woman, she wanted to remind me (not in exactly the most polite of ways) to remember the sabbath, and I gently gave her a response based on Matthew 12:8 indicating that Christ is my sabbath, and that do esteem all days alike (Romans 14:5). A friend of mine who was there at the time then asked if she thinks salvation is based upon keeping the sabbath,and thankfully she said no; had she said yes the conversation would have taken a different turn (Galatians 5:4).

The conversation actually got interesting when she asked about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and we (explained from the scrips what happens[insert scrips 2 cor 14]), so in the end our aim was then to edify and enlighten her about this gift based on what scripture says. The conversation ended with everyone agreeing that men’s salvation is of greater importance and should be given higher priority.

Today I had the opportunity to speak to a Muslim about salvation. As you might expect, the conversation went on for quite some time and other topics came up. Looking at the events that took place in hindsight, I am glad that he asked me for my view of how salvation works and how Christ did for us on the cross. This is the desired outcome, that the person to whom you are speaking has an interest in salvation and in knowing why you love the God you serve (which is the question they never ask...sigh...).

I learnt something that’s invaluable in recent times, and its that our actions must be fuel both by the Spirit of God Himself and the Love of God,without these you will not be an effective witness (Acts 1:8, Acts  18:24-28, Eph 4:15, John 6:44).

I have a friend that often reminds me of the importance of caring for and loving the person you are trying to reach. Your actions must lead that person to believe that you care about their souls. He once told me “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”. To this day those words are etched in my memory, but I have come to learn that evangelism is more that just that, its about letting them know that the Father loves them. I have often told folks that if atheists knew how much God loves them, they won’t bother with atheism. Your life must be so saturated and awash with the love of God that it peaks people’s interest, and has them wanting to know and experience it for themselves.

Even in my own life I can say that it is the love of God that keeps me going, I have chosen to be rooted in His love. My faith is based on my love and my love on His. So even when I meet up tough questions I am mindful of His love and the relationship that I am able to have with the Father through Christ Jesus. Is is by the Love of God that we will be able to win souls to Christ. So as I end this article I pray that all who read this are filled with the Love and God, and continually abide in it, and draw men to Christ by it.

For those in need of ammunition for defending the faith I have put together a list of resources to help you learn more about defending your faith as well as strengthen your faith in Christ Jesus.

Verses concerning essential Christian doctrine.

What the Bible says about:

● Sin and how is has separated us from God: Is. 59: 1-3, Eph 2:1-2

● God’s desire for man’s salvation: John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Titus 3:3-7, 1 John 4:14

● The identity of the saviour: Isaiah 43:11, John 8:24, Luke 2:11, 2 Peter 2:11

● The persons of the Godhead: Psalm 110:1+ Matt. 22:41-46, 2 Cor. 13:14, Matt. 28:19

● The deity of Christ Jesus Christ: John 1:1, Is. 42:8+John 17:5, Col. 2:9, John 10:30, John 8:58

Scriptures to arm yourself with

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: John is a personal favourite for me as contains many answers to my personal questions spoken by Christ himself. I often had a problem with the question “If it is written that no man can see God and live, how it it that we (people) were able to see Jesus?”. The answer to that is quite simple, according to John 1:18, is was the second person of the Godhead (the Son)  we saw, not the first (the Father).

Know what the gospel is: 1. Cor. 15:3,4 + Gal. 1:8,9, and that there is a consequence for spreading a false gospel.

Luke 21: 14, 15: “Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist”. Trust the Lord to give you the wisdom to deal with these encounters and trust not in your own understanding.

Websites for Christian apologetics

Here are a few of my go-to sites for information on other faiths. They a lot of common questions and objections to the Christian faith, can also be used to steer the person away from their own understanding towards the saviour.

www.carm.org

www.gotquestions.org

www.answering-islam.org

http://www.abnsat.com/abnnew/

www.christiandefense.org

www.letusreason.org

Written by :

Andrew Olton

 

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