The gospel's simplicity

This afternoon, when I returned to work from lunch, I was asked a question that I wasn't quite expecting. I was asked this question, then my co-worker filled me in on why she was asking. This coworker (let's call her Amy, not her real name) had gone out to lunch with a few ladies who lead a small group of teenage girls from a local church. Amy's daughter is a part of this Protestant church's youth program, but I am not sure to what extent.

Anyway, Amy wanted to learn a little about these women since they were involved in her daughter's life. During conversation, these women learned that Amy is a Catholic (Amy really is not Catholic, but she says she is. She denies the Virgin Birth, the resurrection of Christ, and the authority of the Pope. Is it safe to say she isn't really a Catholic?) These women then announced that Catholicism is wrong because Catholics believe in Purgatory, and Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible. Amy was quite put off by these statements.

(Another parenthetical statement here, hence the parentheses. Just because the Bible doesn't specifically say a certain word doesn't necessarily mean that the Bible doesn't teach something. For example, can anyone find the word "Trinity" in any translation of the Bible? I have never seen it. Additionally, how many times does the word "rapture" appear in the Scriptures? Exactly zero, but there are many preachers who have made teaching and writing about the rapture quite profitable, indeed. Just because the Bible doesn't say the word "Purgatory," we are not at liberty to disregard the concept of Purgatory a priori.)

Back to the story, though. Amy then asked me if Christians believe in Purgatory, and what the Bible says about our fates when we die. During my reply, Amy then stated that these women also had told her daughter that if someone performs certain acts, that person is destined for hell.

Now comes the point of the story. I was able to explain to Amy that there is only one thing, and I emphasized one thing, that is the determining factor in whether someone is invited into heaven or cast into hell. I told Amy that the only factor is whether or not someone has accepted the gift of God, his Son Jesus. And I said that there are no strings attached. No small print. And the look on Amy's face was priceless. She actually asked me if that was all there was to it. YES. I briefly explained that in all of the religions I know anything about, they all, except Christianity, require people to earn their salvation by some type of work. In Christianity, salvation is a gift. It is our choice whether we accept it or leave it where it is. And I left her with that thought as I returned to my work.

Christians need to quit thinking of Christianity as a set of rules, of do's and don'ts. What we do need to do is understand that our relationship with Christ is going to be what transforms us, not some set of human-imposed rules that try to force us into someone else's idea of holiness. As we truly draw closer to God, we will want to please him because of our love for him. And when this happens, we will know and do the right things. Not perfectly, of course, but more consistently.

One point on pleasing God. Scripture tells us to always be ready to give an answer to those who ask us about the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). This pleases God. How do I know. Because it is obedience to his word. I wasn't expecting to have this discussion with Amy today, but I had prayed earlier in the day that I may have a chance to be a light in my workplace. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity.

So I ask of the Christians who read this, pray for Amy. Pray that she can see through her cynicism of religion and just see the love of God. Pray also for Amy's daughter, that she too will see the love of God, and then embrace the fact that she is unconditionally, undeniably, loved by her Father.