A Man on the Street
On a slow news day, a
reporter sees a man walking down the street rather aimlessly, and hurries over
to interview him.
“Hello, Sir. I’m Ted G. Biff
from station ZRXP TV. We’re doing human interest stories for a TV segment on
the 10 o’clock news.”
“Uhh, okay. I’ll watch it.
What time is it on?”
“Sir, may I ask you a
question?”
“Sure, I guess so. Do I get a
reward for answering?”
“I’m sorry, Sir, but No.”
“But it must be worth
something to you. Come on, how about a few bucks?”
“All right. Jamie, give the
man a ten.”
“Could you make it twenty?”
“Oh, all right. Here. Now,
the question is, ‘Would you describe yourself as a Christian?’”
“A Christian? Why, yes, of
course. Man, that was easy. I’ll answer another question for the same price. I
know about the Trinity, the crown of thorns, Bethlehem—see, I do crossword
puzzles. ”
“I see.”
“Yes, sir, I’m a Christian,
set free by the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Sure. Why not? I have faith
in the Lord Jesus, and Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth and the truth will
make you free.’”
“You just now used the
expression, ‘Faith in the Lord Jesus’ twice. Then Jesus Christ is your Lord?”
“Of course. He is Lord of
all.”
“And how would you define
‘Lord’?”
“Hmm. I don’t know. . . .
I’ve never been asked that question. Umm, maybe ‘Lord of my life, guide,
helper, forgiver of all my sins. Or boss, perhaps?”
“How about, ‘A Lord is
someone who has power and authority over servants, who do the will of their
master.’”
“Hey, that’s not bad. How
many other people have you asked that question? I’ll bet their answers helped
you make yours.”
“I’m sure they did. But to
keep focused on our question, if Jesus is your Lord, you must observe his
rules, right?”
“Well, yeah, I guess so.
—Wait. Rules? What are you talking about?”
“Can you tell me some of
Jesus’ rules or commandments that he expects you to obey?”
“We don’t have to obey any
rules. We are set free in Christ. What are you, some kind of legalist? Or a
works-salvation robot?”
“If Jesus has no rules, then
why does he say, ‘If
you love me, you will keep my commandments.—John 14:15 (NASB)’?”
“Well, he—.”
“Or ‘This is how we are sure that we have come to
know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, “I
have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth
is not in him —1 John 2:3-4 (NASB).’”
“Are you sure he—.”
“And, ‘If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have
kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love’ —John 15:10 (NASB).”
“I think I need to go now.”
“But Sir, we have many more questions to ask, and
with them your eternal destiny is at stake.”
+++
Questions
Think about and discuss each of the following questions. Are these questions you have never asked before, or are they a regular part of your spiritual refreshing?
V How do you know that Jesus is the Lord of your life?
V Are you careful and intentional to follow and submit to Jesus as your Lord?
V What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
V What does it mean to believe Jesus?
V What does it mean to obey Jesus?
V What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
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