What do you value more than God?

Last Friday at the "Cave" discussion we had several of our NYC (not yet Christian) friends asking really good questions.
It started with a discussion of Hell, what that was like and why a loving God would sentence anyone to eternal torment.

"You don't hear much about Fire & Brimstone anymore. Is that really in the Bible?"
"Yes, actually it is, however unpopular. Jesus himself talks about it."
"So what's the point of punishing people just because they don't believe?"
"The core issue is really a question of ownership. If a Transcendent Supreme Being actually made us and the world we live in, we have some responsibilities to Him."
"Like What? Are you saying we owe Him something?"
"The truth is, as much as we'd like to think we are self-sufficient and independent, that's really just an illusion."
"How is that? What do you mean I'm not independent?"
"Food, water, the air we breathe and the fact that our bodies are alive are all a gift from God. He wants us to acknowledge that and give thanks."
"Why should I even believe in a Creator I can't see, much less be grateful to Him?"
"That seems like a fair question, but the Bible tells us that we have been given enough evidence to believe: in the world around us and in our conscience.
It says He hasn't left us without a testimony."
"So that's the big deal? He just wants me to admit He's there and He made the world?"
"Well, there's a bit more to it than that. You see the root of sin is a failure to give God the glory He deserves."
"So how do we do that?"
"It comes down to what we call worship. We all choose to worship something other than God."
"What do you mean by worship. I don't really worship anything!"
"Worship is a statement of what's valuable to us. And it's usually revealed by what we invest time in. It could be video games or sports or even school."
"You mean things that I devote myself to?"
"Exactly! Devotion is a way of affirming value, of saying what is most important to us. When we value anything more than God, we're failing in what He made us for.
He deserves our complete devotion and He made us to worship Him."
"Well I'm grateful for all the good things I enjoy. Why do I need to bring God into it?"
"It's back to the idea of independence. When we don't worship God we're actually in rebellion, because we don't acknowledge that it all belongs to Him."
"And if I'm in rebellion, He's going to send me to Hell?"
"Think of it this way - All the good things you now enjoy are from God. If you insist on denying or rejecting the Giver, you will one day be cut off from all of His Gifts. That will be Hell!"

"I value money - so what's wrong with that?"
"Every monetary system is an arbitrary method of providing tokens which we can exchange. It's not actually the money you value."
"I like what I can buy with it: Food, Beer, entertainment, gas for the car, paying rent."
"Sure, it's a means of exchange. We value what we can buy because of the lifestyle they allow. And because it makes us feel independent."
"So what about 'HEAVENBUCKS'?"
"Huh? you mean like God's currency?"
"Yeah, how can I get some HEAVENBUCKS?"
"Well, the bad news is that none of us will ever earn enough to buy our way into Heaven. We're morally bankrupt and our accounts are overdrawn. Those checks you've been writing for good works won't cash!"
"So what;'s the good news?"
"The good news is that because of Jesus perfect life and death on the cross, God will forgive your rebellion, cancel your debt, and even put funds in your account so you can start giving Him the glory He deserves!"

There was a bit more explaining to do after that. No one fell to their knees in repentance on the spot. But there were 4 guys and one young lady (NYC's) paying close attention to the discussion.
Join us in praying for their response to the Good News.

Matt Lundquist - Campus Ambassadors - Central Washington University - Ellensburg