THE Question

On the way to bible study last night we were running late and we almost decided not to go. We also had a discussion in the car about how we haven’t really been learning anything new at this study, lately. Kevin wondered if we should even keep going at all. My response was that, even if we’re not getting anything from it, maybe God would have us go so that we can give something to others. It turns out that we’re very glad we were there …
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She wrinkled her brow and shook her head, “I don’t understand how Christ can reconcile us to God?” The young lady who asked this heartfelt question last night had been coming to bible study since September and we knew that neither she nor her husband had professed faith in Christ . . . yet. Now, at last, THE question had been asked. I held my breath – and time seemed to freeze – as I wondered who would answer this question. (It’s kind of weird because there’s not really a definite “leader” at this bible study.) After a moment of silence, Kevin stepped up to the plate.

It was amazing … simple … beautiful. It was the gospel.

Kevin started out, using scriptures along the way, telling this woman that sinful-man cannot meet God’s standard of perfection. And it’s not just that we all have sinned, it’s that none of us can ever hope to meet the high standard God has set for us. Because we cannot meet God’s high standard (whether by our commissions or our omissions), we are doomed to the punishment of eternal death. But God, because of His great love for us, provided a solution. He sent His son, fully human and fully God, to live a perfect life and pay the penalty of death in our stead. Not only was Christ sinless, but every thought that ever entered His mind and every word He ever spoke was out of pure love. (Incredible, isn’t it?!) When we place our trust in Christ, we are justified before God because we take on Christ and our sins become nonexistent in God’s eyes. (Actually, in addition to using several scriptures, Kevin also threw in a Charles Dicken’s analogy from A Tale of Two Cities about substitution and payment for another’s transgressions!)

Although I’ve been hearing the gospel message all my life, last night felt like the first time all over again. It was new. And it was powerful. I was reminded that the “message of the cross is foolishness to them that are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Last night I (again) realized my need for Christ. And so did the querying young lady who sat across the room from Kevin. It was so amazing to see understanding (light) finally surface in her eyes. Praise God that He seeks and saves those who are lost. Last night it was evident that God was seeking out this woman.