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Letter: Keith Reynolds
Message being clouded
Friday, June 15, 2012
The cause of Christ has a perception problem to overcome. This perception problem is often caused by the actions, attitudes and misguided assumptions on the part of some of Christ’s followers. Many nonfollowers have gotten the idea that Christians are just a bunch of close-minded, judgmental and ignorant people.
I am writing because of a letter by Charles Taylor in the Bulletin on Friday. I assume Taylor is a follower of Christ with a sincere desire for people to experience the grace and forgiveness which comes from faith in Christ. I believe Jesus when he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6, KJV) That does not mean I believe myself to be better than those who do not believe in Christ. Nor does my faith give me the right to deny anyone the freedom to believe something different than me.
I am concerned that Taylor’s attack on evolution is clouding the main truth of the Christian message. Scripture says to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:30, KJV) The Apostle Paul, when he came to Corinth, said, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2, KJV) Nowhere in the Bible does salvation depend on anything other than faith in Jesus Christ as savior and Lord.
We are constantly surrounded by hurting, guilt-ridden people who are feeling unloved, unwanted and insignificant. These people do not care whether God took seven days or seven trillion years to create this world. Nor does God care if they believe creation occurred instantaneously or by a process that he put into motion. What these people want to know is that they are so important to the God of the universe that he knows them by name. They need to know that the one with the power to help invites them to be “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, KJV) They need to know that if they are stinging from the rejection of a father and/or mother, they will be loved and accepted by God. Psalms 27:10 says, “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” (KJV) Those overwhelmed by the rat-race of this world need to hear Christ’s compassionate call to, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, KJV).
Those of us who would see people come to Christ must constantly listen as he says, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” (John 13:34, KJV) If we would have more people come to Christ then we must spend more time concentrating on lifting him up and less time arguing over lesser points of biblical interpretation.
Keith Reynolds
Bassett
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