"Why should I turn to Jesus?" How would you answer this question?

I want to start this blog with a simple question that everyone should think about very hard. If someone was to ask you why he or she should turn to Jesus, what would you say? What is the number one reason anyone should “accept” Jesus? This question is a serious problem in the church these days. Think of evangelists such as Joel Olsteen. What is his central message? Inarguably, I find that his message is that if you turn to God (the name Jesus Christ is mentioned minimally), he will bring prosperity to you and show you the plan for your life. While God does have a purpose for everyone, is this the central point of Christ’s sacrifice?

Ray Comfort (www.wayofthemaster.com) once put it very well. Imagine you are able to travel back in time to a place where you knew the people you were about to speak to were unbelievers and would die in thirty minutes. What would you say about Jesus? Would you tell them that he has a plan for their lives, that he will bless them if they turn to him? Or would you tell them that if they don’t repent and believe that he died for their sins, they would go to Hell?

The most important thing that everyone should know, especially when they come into contact with the Gospel, is that Christ died not to give them a comfortable, cushy life of blessings and prosperity, but he died so that they would not go into eternal punishment for their sins. Verses such as Mark 1:15 and 6:12, Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, and 1 John 1:9 all press the importance of the repentance of sin. Therefore, what we all need is to realize the true purpose for Christ’s death and resurrection. We need him not to help us in our worldly life but to save us from what comes after death. The only way to salvation is to know that we are sinners, trust that Jesus is God, that he died for our sins and rose again washing away the sins of all who believe, and surrender our absolute existence to him. No one can receive salvation but through this one way.

The reason for the lack of a pure Gospel messages today is because no one wants to be told that they’re wrong, especially in our pluralistic society where a person’s emotions are placed above truth. Therefore, the church is a sanctuary for those looking for a place to “feel good.” Many think that the church is where you go where no one will look down on you or make you “feel bad.” While Christians should be open, loving, and non-judgmental, it’s our Christian duty to reveal the truth to all who seek it. This especially means the Good News of Jesus Christ.

But we must understand that God does have a plan and purpose for everyone. The main purpose for life is to live in communion with Him and glorify Him in every way. In turn, the plan that he has for us focuses around this. It varies from person to person, but it all encompasses the glory of God. Don’t take this message the wrong way. It’s a great thing to express to those looking for meaning in life that God has a purpose for them, but to take away the focal point of Christ’s sacrifice is a disservice.

Yes, God does have a plan for everyone’s life, and he does love us all, but know that he did not come to make our worldly lives comfy; he came to save us from the hell that is to come. This brings us back to the initial question. What would you say to that person asking about Jesus?