Have you ever talked with a friend, a stranger, or a neighbor about the Lord? The conversation may start out like this:
"I'm such-and-such religion, so I'm good." But then the conversations continues.
"Could I put it in perspective?"
He nods.
"Let's say you are playing baseball. You are on Cee's team and another player is on Bee's team. The rules of the Baseball Handbook are the same whether you are on Cee's team or Bee's team. Cee's team is up to bat. The batter hits a ground ball; the short stops snatches the ball and wails it to the first baseman who catches it a split second before the runner stomps the base. The umpire shouts the call. 'Out!'"
"It wouldn't matter if the batter were from Bee's team or Cee's team. The player is out because that's a rule of baseball - if the first baseman catches the ball before the runner tags the base, he's out."
"So, what does that have to do with church?" your conversationalist asks.
"Glad you asked. There are many different churches, right?"
Your friend nods.
"Churches can't make up their own rules either. They have to go by the Book. God is the One who authored the Handbook to Heaven, so it stands to reason, He has the authority to set the perimeters for the game of life. When the Handbook to Heaven clearly specifies the means to eternity in heaven is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, there is no other way."
Mr. Skeptic frowns.
"Let me ask it another way. Do you think a baseball player who runs to second base, bypassing first base, can flagrantly ignore the rules of the Baseball Handbook and get away with it? Of course not. It's the same with God's Handbook to Heaven. Anything added to the Gospel, such as good works or being a good person to gain heaven, is like a baseball player running around the bases twice in order to score an additional run. That's ridiculous."
"The same holds true for anything short of the Gospel, like not having faith, can be compared to the baseball player who hits a home run, but does not run the bases. He simply stands at home plate swinging his bat back and forth. He would not score a run. That is equally as preposterous. Doesn't it make sense that man cannot add to or subtract from the Handbook to Heaven and think he is going to do it his way? If he thinks he can, he's out! He will never make it to home plate which in this scenario represents heaven. The life-game player who does not abide by the Handbook to Heaven is out just like the baseball player who plays the game making up his own rules is out!"
Your friend smiles. "What are you doing Sunday?"
Rita Kroon
