I’ve invited my friends to church and offered them the New Testament, but they say they want to maintain their own respected religions (Judaism, Islam, etc.). These friends give so much to the community, possess sound morals and are genuinely good people. It saddens me to think they’re going to hell. Is this really true, or am I worrying for nothing?

Saddened
From our e-mail bag

Dear Saddened:
I love the concern you have for your non-Christian friends. And it’s obvious you care about where they spend eternity. I know it’s frustrating to invite someone to church, give her a Bible and still have her cling to a belief system that’s not true.

In wisdom and love, God has arranged things so that only people who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will go to heaven. The Bible is extremely clear on this. And sadly that means lots of “good” people will spend eternity in hell. That’s hard for us to comprehend, because we love these “good” people. God loves them, too! That’s why He sent His one and only Son to die for them.

The Bible is also clear that it’s not enough to be “good,” because none of us can be good enough to get into heaven. We can only reach heaven through the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ. Aren’t you glad salvation is a FREE gift?

The Bible also says that most people in the world will choose the wide road that doesn’t lead to heaven, and that very few will choose the narrow road of salvation. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Dear Susie:
I believe in God. I read on the Brio Web site that a girl was wondering what college to attend. She was confused and was going to start praying about it. But God gave us free will! I honestly doubt He cares which college she attends as long as she’s happy and not endangering herself or others.

Frustrated
From our e-mail bag

Dear Frustrated:
You’re right; God does give us free will. But He also wants us to pray about everything. Check this out: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers” (Philippians 4:6, The Living Bible).

I’m glad the gal who’s confused about college is taking her confusion to God. She’s looking to Him for guidance, and that’s exactly what He wants her to do. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “always keep on praying” (The Living Bible). That same verse in the New International Version says, “Pray continually.”

Hmmm. Sounds as though praying about everything is important to God. It’s something He not only wants us to do, but He’s commanded us to do it.

I do believe there are some choices we make that God really has no preference about. But He still delights in hearing our prayers regarding those decisions. For example, if I’m buying a car and have asked God to help me make a wise purchase, I don’t think He has a preference over me buying a blue Honda or a red Honda. But after I purchase the car, I’m still going to thank Him for guiding me in the selection process.

Allow me to change the subject slightly. You begin your letter with “I believe in God,” yet you don’t lead me to believe you have a personal, growing relationship with Him. Simply believing in God doesn’t make us a follower of Christ. Even Satan believes in God!

Once you establish an intimate relationship with the King of Kings, you start falling in love with Him more and more every day and you want to pray about everything. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Christ, you can confess your sins right now, ask Him for forgiveness, tell Him you want to live for Him and thank Him for coming to reign in your life.

Then from this point on, live your life in surrender to His lordship. Get plugged in to a Bible-preaching church, and talk with your pastor about being baptized to show those around you that you’ve become a new creature in Christ.