What happens when you ask people why God should let them into heaven?
They typically give all sorts of reasons why God should admit them, but they invariably overlook Romans 3 and the truth that everyone has come short of God's glory. Their answers reveal they are lost in themselves, like sheep without a shepherd, and cannot enter heaven unless God acts on their behalf.
Les explains that the Navigators or Campus Crusade witnessing helps advised students not to ask someone, 'Are you a Christian?' because people invariably say yes. Instead, ask, 'How or why should God let you into His heaven?' Les says he has used that approach for years and considers it the best way to start. When you ask it, you hear all the various reasons people give, and by approaching them that way you put them on the soap box and let them express themselves. Les notes it is amazing what he has heard; people will give many reasons why they think God should let them into His heaven, but they invariably overlook Romans 3. He teaches this is the very first step of faith on the road to salvation: recognizing that in ourselves we are lost, like sheep without a shepherd, separated because of Adam's fall as federal head of the human race. Scripture says everyone has come short of the glory of God, so no one can enter God's heaven unless God does something on their behalf.
More Questions
Why is asking "Why should God let you into heaven?" an effective witnessing approach?
Asking people why God should let them into heaven puts them on the soap box and lets them express themselves, so you hear all the various reasons people give — and they invariably overlook Romans 3.