Are We As Christians Really Pro-Life?

I know the majority of us were stunned that the US Senate this week voted down a law restricting abortion after the 20 week threshold, a time when most scientists tell us that a child can feel pain.  More telling is the number of professing Christians that voted against the bill. Some people will tell you this is about freedom for the woman or choices that the government shouldn’t be involved with. However, this is a misunderstanding of the meaning of life and definitely an ignorance of Biblical understanding. Having said all of that, my question actually goes to the larger meaning of life. We are all here for just a short time and believers are all called to share the gospel with friends and neighbors. When I am asking about being pro-life today I’m asking about eternal life. Sure, we can protest the latest moral issue of today, and there is validity in those issues. What about those friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers we come in contact with on a daily basis?

A recent survey by Lifeway found the following about self- proclaiming Christians:

• Only 38 % share their faith on a regular basis
• Only 19 % say they have ever invited someone to church
• 20 % never pray for the spiritual status of others
• 80 % says they have a responsibility to share their faith
• 95% Have never led another person to God

Think about that last statistic. I was shocked by it. I don’t say that to guilt anyone but to convict us all. We have been given the greatest gift by a God who loves us and yet so many haven’t shared the “good news” with others. Why are we as believers so afraid to share the “good news” with friends and neighbors?

I believe one of the main reasons we don’t share the gospel is that most of us are scared of rejection. Most of these people we know quite well and we don’t want to injure our relationship with them. These friends are those that we work with, socialize around, and spend holiday time around. We can fear that they might look at us different if we invade such a personal area of life. Come on, we fear being “that person.”

We can also have the worry of not knowing how to start the conversation or lack of knowledge. This fear can be fostered by a false sense that we have to have all the answers for someone that might be interested. Not all Christians have the opportunity for a seminary degree. We will never have all the answers this side of eternity. However, we can convey the essentials of our faith and the important things. This does take time on our part. Spending time in prayer, Bible study, and honing our faith are all part and parcel of a Christian growing in the faith.

How do I share with the people in my life? Greg Koukl describes something everyone, including atheists, can acknowledge in our world. “We live in a world that was created. Something has gone wrong. A remedy is needed. Christ is the remedy.”

I think there are 4 areas we can point people to Christ. First, we have to live a life of integrity that shows there is something different about our lives. We should walk in a way that says we love people. This is reflected in how we treat others, how we speak with others, and definitely how we care for others. We won’t always reflect these attributes but it should be our overall behavior. We should also be the first to confess when we fail and ask forgiveness when we have messed up. Being authentic before unbelievers is acknowledging that we are fallen people and we own our mistakes.

Second, building personal relationships with people allow us to share how God has transformed our lives. Notice, I didn’t say perfect lives or lives without pain, worries, or problems. However, a life that has meaning and purpose not only now but for eternity. In our relationships we can confess our own failings and that God seeks everyone.

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[quote bar=”true” align=”center”]We should also be the first to confess when we fail and ask forgiveness when we have messed up. Being authentic before unbelievers is acknowledging that we are fallen people and we own our mistakes.[/quote]

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When building our relationships we can share the following things.

The Bible is reliable as we have more copies of it that any book of antiquity. It is miraculous and not just human in Origin. Jesus fulfilled at least 82 prophetic words from the Old Testament in his birth, life, death, and resurrection. The probability of just 8 in insurmountable. All critical scholars acknowledge that Christ:

* was born to an unwed mother

* died by Crucifixion

* buried in a tomb

* the tomb was found empty

* the disciples had experiences of the risen Lord

* The disciples were transformed from doubters to bold proclaimers

* This message spread from Jerusalem to other parts of the world rapidly

* Paul and James, some of the biggest skeptics and persecutors of the early church were miraculously changed.

Third, in building the relationships with friends we acknowledge our sin and need of a redeemer. I John 1:9 says, “if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is the area we share our own personal experience in our lives. How God has fellowship with us through our own worship of Him.

Finally, we confess this sin and ask Jesus to become Lord of our lives. Timing is everything on when you ask someone if they want to have this eternal hope. We, as Americans, live in this immediate response world to everything. God may use you to build the relationship but use someone else to lead them to Christ. Be patient. We are only responsible to share the gospel. It is God’s job to draw men to Him through His spirit. In the meantime, we can pray for God to soften their hearts and be receptive to His message. We are all commanded to share our faith. John 21:15 reads, “Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep.” If we were given the cure for immortality why wouldn’t you share it? How can God use us this week to reach all of these for Him?

S. Montgomery