Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

Family Based Evangelism

Last night Amy & I had a wonderful dinner at my parent’s house. What made it wonderful was not the Prime Rib, which was delicious or the peanut butter cookies, which were soooo yummy. But it was my mother and father engaging us in conversation about faith that I didn’t start. At least not technically!

I saw a book on the floor which I figured my father was reading and some papers next to it that made it look like he was taking a class. In fact he is taking a class at the Catholic Church he has been attending. So I asked him about the class and what they were talking about and if he was enjoying it.

This led to discussion on original sin, eschatology, the resurrection and grace. This was wonderful because I grew up in a household where faith was not an integral part of our lives and I have been concerned about my parent’s salvation since coming to Christ myself.

These conversations in the past would end in my father and me arguing, with even him once telling me that we were never to talk about religion again in his house. My mom would disappear somewhere wishing not to be included in the conversation and perhaps seeking cover from flying debris (metaphorically speaking).

Not this time though. We’ve been having some good conversations lately about faith and what it means to be a Christian, but this time my mom engaged us in the conversation as well. She didn’t flee the room, she didn’t object, she didn’t argue. She listened and she questioned.

The main point I was trying to convey to my mom that intrigued and bewildered her a bit was the principle of transformation or imputed righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5: 20-21
“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Though we are not righteous, we are treated as such and that is because even though Christ is not sin he was treated as such on our behalf. To live a life for Christ is to be thankful for that gift, and to use that gift to exemplify Christ in your character is to be His ambassador. This can not happen until your heart has been transformed, and once it has God will use you to transform others.

Amy and I were very encouraged last night as we saw the Spirit using us to help transform my parents. We hope this process will continue and pray dearly for their salvation to come.

Posted by price at February 28, 2005 12:42 PM