A Faith Like Yours

         -A Conversation of Grace

My friend Samuel is probably the nicest person that I know. He is incredibly intelligent, a sincere diplomat, and just an amazing guy. I feel lucky to know him and to be good friends with him. Whether it has been a day or a year since you have seen him last, he will always greet you with great excitement, and he truly means it. He can strike up a conversation with almost anyone of any background immediately, and he has an incredible ability to connect with others on their level and to find commonality in their interests.

I have known Samuel for going on 10 years now, and you cannot ascribe him to any specific religion. He does believe in the concept of a divine being, but that if there is one, the only way to achieve communion with God is through good works on earth. So my challenge has been and continues to be, how do I witness to Samuel? What words should I use to share with him the gospel of Jesus Christ? Exactly how does someone come to know Jesus? I was raised in a Lutheran household, so I lack the perspective of someone who comes at Christianity from a skeptical perspective. Because Jesus is always there for us and his love never ends, the best approach for me was just to try and help illuminate the path. In the end, Samuel has to take his own walk with God just like we all do.

During one of our conversations, he was asking me about my faith. I was as excited about the opportunity as I was nervous. I explained to him that Jesus is our Savior and that through faith in him, God washes away our sinful self and brings us to Him. And when the time comes, He will bring us to eternal life with Him. Although he didn’t use this phrase, Samuel brought up what many critics call the “cheap grace” argument, which essentially asks the question how is it possible that we can receive grace and mercy through nothing of our own efforts but to believe? We discussed how a strong faith manifests good works, and he told me of his own beliefs around the importance of good works. Of course, I know that he is such a good person at heart; he would do a thousand good works without a thought of anything in return. But he also said to me, “I wish that I had a faith like yours”. I didn’t quite know how to respond at the time, but I hope and pray that he finds the faith and love of Jesus that was waiting for him then, is waiting for him now, and forever will be. Amen.

God’s blessings, Darren Broemmer

Do you have a personal witnessing experience you would like to share with others? Please contact Martie Dunnett, Pay Sheehy, or Bill Pfancuff.