Conversational Evangelism: How to Respond to 7 Common Questions From Nonbelieversਨਮੂਨਾ

6. How can I choose Christ when my dead ancestors are separated from Him and could be separated from me?

This question reflects one of the most difficult perceived barriers to Christ in cultures that practice ancestral worship. Consequently, it is highly critical that we give a well-thought-out answer to this. Here are some suggestions.

First, we can ask, “Are you absolutely sure your ancestors are separated from Christ?” We may think we know someone’s spiritual condition, but we see only the exterior, whereas God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

It is also important to realize what we should not say. We should not ask questions like, “Why would you allow someone else’s decision to affect your eternal happiness?” In cultures where ancestral worship is prominent, this question would not be helpful because decisions usually are not based on what is best for the individual but on how it affects the rest of the family. Decisions that are based on individual wants and desires are perceived as very selfish in the East. Consequently, a couple of helpful questions that take family sensitivities into account are,

• “If your dead ancestors know what you know about who Jesus is, what would they advise you to do?”
• “Did you know that Scripture actually speaks to this issue? In Luke 16 Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who had died, and who pleads with a beggar named Lazarus to warn his brothers about hell.”

This may then surface the question, “How can we be happy in heaven when we have a loved one in hell?” First, we should admit that we may not be able to answer this question even to our own satisfaction, but we can provide a helpful perspective. There are some things in the Bible we do not understand, but we believe by faith that they are true. For example, I do not know how I can be happy in heaven when I know a loved one is in hell, but I know that the Bible teaches that God will wipe away all our tears (Revelation 21:4). By faith, I can trust God that this is true. I can trust Him for things I do not understand because of the things He has revealed to me that I do understand. Since I know that God is my loving heavenly Father, I can trust that His Word will be proven true despite how bleak the circumstances look.

Second, there is a serious assumption here that we are more merciful than God when in fact God is infinitely merciful. Further, God is happy in heaven, yet He knows that not everyone will be there. Also, if we could not be happy in heaven knowing a loved one is not there, then we have placed our happiness in the hands of another.

We can help our nonbelieving friends understand that their decision now could be the key to their current family members coming to Christ before they die and have no further chance to consider Christ (Hebrews 9:27). Furthermore, their decision could profoundly affect the lives of future generations of family members. It is also helpful to give any examples we know of those who may have at one time felt torn between Christ and their current family, and who eventually decided to choose Christ.