Five and a Half Questions Everyone Must Answer预览

Purposeful Identity

“For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

Many years ago, a confused and tormented young man named David Berkowitz became notorious for traversing the City of New York and mercilessly gunning down innocent bystanders. He killed six people and wounded several others. The reason why asking ourselves what we believe and why are so important is because this concept is the basis for constructing a life which is either full of purpose and identity, or one that is void of both. David, also known as in popular media at the time as the “Son of Sam”, claimed he was once influenced by Satan, who I refer to as the Identity Thief.

Some questions are shallow and easily answered, while others are more profound, and simple answers do not satisfy us quite so easily. Paul writes that all who call the name of the Lord will be saved. A lot of people wince uncomfortably at this, as the voice in their head seems to shout: “All?! What about the murderers in prison claiming to put their faith in Jesus? They just get off Scott free?! Is it possible that good people would not make it into heaven but a repentant murderer could? What about Gandhi?” Deep questions to consider…

How about these Scriptural claims about Jesus – first, that “No one” gets to the Father, except through him…secondly, that “all” who call on his name will be saved. Are they equally valid?

Perhaps we can get close to the answer by relating a humorous story of two brothers. Both these brothers were morally scandalous, wreaking much havoc in their area. It happened that when one of the brothers died, that the living brother asked the pastor to refer to his brother as a saint at the funeral. Tough spot to be in! Well, a few days later the Pastor, while eulogizing the brother wisely said, “This man was a liar, a thief, and scandalous man, but compared to his brother - he was a saint!”

Most of this world is mixed up about the real purpose of living, particularly in regard to what happens when this life is over. To be a good person and not a bad person is typically what people weigh in the balances – of course, they use their own measurement system of “good” vs. “bad”. This is why so many people struggle with questions about ‘good’ people who have rejected Jesus. They were good, shouldn’t they have all gone to heaven? The problem with judging ourselves in comparison to someone else means that we typically compare ourselves to a seemingly ‘worse’ person. The Son of Sam was famous for murder, he is far less known for having repented and giving his life to Jesus. The true basis of real purpose and identity is not in whether we are good or bad people by any human standard. It is actually found in knowing that we ALL have been separated from God by our sin, and as a result, ALL need to be redeemed! The Son of Sam’s identity was nearly stolen from him, but God rightfully redeemed David Berkowitz’s true identity – no longer the “Son of Sam” that terrified New York and captured headlines for many weeks – but he is now a Fully Redeemed Son of the Living God. He is living proof that both the clauses mentioned above are indeed true!

Here is a quote from David: “Let me tell ya. God has been so good to me. I was living in such spiritual darkness and mental confusion, but the Lord reached out with his hands of mercy – and he saved my life.”

Many can say “amen” from their own personal experience. What about you?

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