do I answer non-Christians who
“How
say, “Christians are a bunch of
hypocrites?”
n By A.J. Rinaldi
EvanTell Ministry Director
The view that Christians are hypocrites can be a significant
barrier to evangelism. Many unbelievers have friends
or acquaintances who claim to know Christ, but do not
honor Him with their lives. As believers, it is important we
understand and communicate two key points relating to
Christians who are not representing our faith very well by
their actions or lifestyle.
First of all, there is a difference between people who say
they know God and people who actually do. A person is
not a Christian because they go to church, do good deeds,
have been baptized, keep the commandments, or take the
sacraments. A Christian is someone who has simply put their
trust in Christ alone to save them. The moment this occurs,
God gives that person the free gift His Son’s death on the
cross has already paid for—eternal life.
Second, God is not asking the unsaved to trust in Christians, but
in Christ. People look so critically at the lifestyles of Christians
that they never hear their message. That doesn’t justify
hypocrisy, and to deny that some Christians are inconsistent
or to become defensive about it would do no good. However,
many unbelievers do not understand the nature of true
Christianity—to them it is a set of rules, not a relationship
founded in grace. The unbeliever must be presented with the
crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ. Nothing seen in the
lives of Christians changes the fact that Christ died for us—in
our place as sinners—and rose again. The issue is first and
foremost not what Christians have done, but what Jesus did.
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One of the biggest reasons people don’t evangelize is their
fear of being unable to answer objections. No passage in the
entire Bible gives us more help than 2 Timothy 2:23-25.
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n By R. Larry Moyer
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they
generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but
be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting
those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth.
Paul’s primary focus was not how to answer objections but
how to respond to the one who objects to the message. We
can be tempted to be prideful, contentious, and conceited
when confronting error. Such an attitude can permeate
evangelism and have a negative impact on our relationships
with unbelievers. Focusing on the argument rather than the
person breeds more of the same thing – more arguments.
In contrast, Paul lists three attributes in verse 24 that we
should display when confronted with these arguments. We
should be:
• Gentle to all—be approachable in our demeanor.
• Able to teach—sincerely desire to lead people to the truth.
• Patient—restraint in the face of opposition.
Lost people need our patience, not our pride. Those who do
not have the Lord need our integrity, not our intellect. They
need our maturity, not our immaturity. Lost people do not
need to know how much we know. They need to know how
much we care.
Verse 25 states we should correct those who oppose us in
humility. Why? The answer is so simple we miss it. When
someone objects to the gospel message, the problem is
ultimately spiritual, not intellectual. They will only come to
the truth when God brings them. This is clarified in verse
25: “if God perhaps will grant them repentance.” The word
repentance means that God might “change their minds.”
So Paul’s advice to Timothy could be summarized in one
sentence. In responding to those who object to the gospel
message, use a gentle attitude, not a hostile argument.
n Adapted from The Evangelism Bible (to be published)
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TIPS FROM THE TEXT
“Always Be Ready to Give a Defense”
Do I Need a Seminary Degree to Share Christ?
But even if you should suffer
for righteousness’ sake, you are
blessed. “And do not be afraid
of their threats, nor be troubled.”
But sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts, and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone who
asks you a reason for the hope
that is in you, with meekness and
fear. (First Peter 3:14-15)
When believers suffer for doing
what is right and refuse to be
intimidated, people want to
know why. At a time like this,
we can give every person who
asks a reason for the hope
that is in us. The phrase “give a
defense” is a Greek legal term
used in a court of law. It refers
to the intelligent reply given
by an attorney when speaking on
behalf of his client. Such a reply
ought to be given with a spirit of
gentleness and respect, so that
unbelievers cannot find fault with
our behavior.
Some claim this passage states
that if we cannot defend what we
believe, we cannot evangelize.
This is not consistent with the
context of the paragraph. Nor
does this passage signify the
necessity to master the field of
studies known as apologetics (the
defense of our faith), even though
apologetics can be very helpful.
Instead, it is an encouragement to
respond properly when suffering
for doing right. With intelligence
and humility, give those who
Give me some ideas on talking
about my faith with a “cultist.”
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oppose you a reason for the hope
that is in you. First Peter 3:15
assumes that suffering for doing
what is right offers opportunities to
speak on behalf of the Savior. In no
way, though, does it mandate we
must academically defend what
we believe in order to evangelize.
n Adapted from The Evangelism Bible
(to be published)
Some of the most difficult questions believers face come from cultists. Here are some
practical tips on how to share the gospel with them.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Remember that you’re just as much of a sinner as they are.
Remember that God did not bring the cultist into your life so they could talk to you, but so that you
could talk to them. They are not the one with the message. You are!
To reach cultists, you don’t have to know what they believe. They will be happy to tell you their beliefs.
You must know what you believe.
Some people that are from a cult background receive a sense of belonging and affirmation. Some
members don’t even know what their cult really believes, but they feel accepted.
Talk over your open Bible, not their Bible or literature.
Center the discussion on two issues: Who is Christ? Is heaven free?
Remember, it is your home. Therefore, it is your privilege to direct the
conversation.
Do not become argumentative, even if the cultist does. Let the Scripture,
not emotion, be the authority.
Insist on equal time. Cultists tend to monopolize the time. Should they
interrupt as we present the truth, kindly ask for the same amount of time
they received and the favor of a listening ear.
Love them and let them see Christ’s love through you.
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Just as God in His grace rescues you from darkness into light, He can do the same for them.
You might even be the person He works through to reach them with the true gospel.
n Adapted from The Evangelism Bible (to be published)