Today Anna has given me a difficult concept to address. Here it is: “How do you relate your beliefs to loved ones in need when they were raised with VERY different beliefs?” It is not so much that there is not an answer, but it is challenging because of how the majority of people will receive the answer. The main reason is that we, as believers have taught much about a “Loving God” – one who is ready to forgive us and cast our sins into the “sea of forgetfulness.”

However, we are not as quick to teach as much about the fact that He is also a “Just God.” A “Just God” is a God that gives us the freedom of choice. That choice allows us to decide whether we want to be a part of His Kingdom and allow His Spirit to inhabit our body. A Just God that allows us that freedom, however, will also hold us accountable for our actions of choice, because there is ONLY ONE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE (John 14:6). If we choose to reject His message and eternal life then He respects our wishes, even though He wants everyone in His Kingdom (2 Peter 3:9.) That freedom based on the fact that he has given each and every one of us the opportunity to accept or reject the truth about His Son. Everyone who desires that truth will have had ample opportunity to examine it and come to some sort of conclusion according to Romans 1:20. NO ONE who really desires the truth will be denied if they really pursue it (Matthew 7:7 – 12) because God does not love or respect one person more than another (Acts 10:34). All people have the opportunity even though their circumstances will be completely different.

The reality is that people make choices. Those choices impact their lives and cause them to create a culture or lifestyle. In other words, and in most cases we live the life we choose because of our choices. That is the freedom God honors for each and every person. If they choose to control their own life, He allows it. If we make the choice to have spiritual guidance from the indwelling Holy Spirit, He honors that choice also.

At this point I would assume you are thinking: “Well what about the aborigine in Australia or native of the jungles of Africa or someone in the US that never heard the gospel?” If we believe Ephesians 1: 8 – 12 and Romans 8:28 – 30, we know that Jehovah Shammah (who reaches into time from outside of the time continuum) sees whose heart is willing to accept his love and eternal life. Those people, along with those who do not want his input, are offered his free gift – equally. Those who are willing to accept the offer are given not just eternal life but a moral compass to keep them on track so they can experience the joy life has to offer. Those who feel like they must control their lives are actually allowing spirits or angels to control their destiny when they think they are really making decisions. That is deception!

The key is understanding the motives of an individual. Choosing to be deceived comes from our natural, human selfish nature. The more our desire for control, the less we have because the spirits take over. Deception plays a stronger role with those who do not have the Spirit, Anna. Remember that is something that only those willing to “hear” will grasp. Your job is not to bring about results, but plant seeds. Your job is not to save people, but be the Jesus they need to see. Paraphrased, here is what Ezekiel says: “If you tell them, their blood is on their hands. If you don’t tell them, their blood is on your hands.” Just do your part – that’s all you can do. Love them, show them God’s love through your life. Show them that peace is better than control!

Love Dad