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“Have you ever thought of religion as being a “crutch” for insecure people who can’t make it on their own?”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

“I think religion has its place, as long as you keep it in perspective.”

“Right! As long as you don’t let it run your life or anything.”

“That’s just it … seems to me that lots of Christians have lost perspective. They think that Jesus should run their lives…”

“Well, they…”

“And you know the kind … they get so worked up about it and take it so personally.”

“Well, you…”

“I’m just not an emotional person. I don’t need a lot of religious experiences to make me feel good about myself.”

“But if Christianity is okay for them, that’s their thing.”

“Well, if you ask me…”

“And another thing … I think a lot of them are hypocrites.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say…”

“They say they believe one thing, then sometimes they act just the opposite.”

“Excuse me, could I dive in on this? I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.”

“Well, this is a private…”

“I’m a Christian. Don’t you think everyone acts like a hypocrite sometimes? I mean, who’s good enough to do everything perfectly?”

“A hypocrite may also be the person who thinks he’s good enough, and therefore there’s no need for God in his life.”

“Whoa! That’s…”

“Hmmm. Point taken.”

“And in some ways you’re right about being insecure. Before I became a Christian, I feared the thought of facing death without knowing what would happen to me on the other side. Haven’t you?”

“That’s a personal…”

“Hmmm, go on.”

“And I agree… I can get pretty worked up about knowing God. But emotionalism doesn’t make any religion true. And being emotional about Jesus doesn’t make Christianity false either, does it?”

“You know this is getting way too…”

“Hmmm, okay…”

“As far as Christianity being a crutch, you’re absolutely right! We’ve all got crutches we lean on. No one is totally self-sufficient. Even pro athletes lean on crutches from time to time. There’s no shame in that.”

“Someone could even say that “Triple Caffeine Carumba” you drink every day is a crutch.”

“Okay, you’ve gone to meddlin’ now.”

“Hmmm, perhaps…”

“All I wanted was a cup of coffee!”

“Hmmm…”

“And as far as Christianity being okay for me and not for you. It’s either true or it isn’t. If Christianity isn’t true, then it isn’t true for anyone. But if it is true, then it’s true for everyone!”

“Hmmm…”

“Is “Hmmm” all you can say?”

“There’s more!”

“The Bible says we can depend on God. In fact, He wants us to depend on Him. The bible says…”

“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Trust in Him at all times…” (Psalm 62:6,8a)

“But our sin stands in the way of that kind of relationship. The Bible also says that…”

“Your iniquities [sins] have made a separation between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2)

“The good news is that Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth to die for our sins and rise from the grave to make a relationship with God possible.”

“For Christ… suffered once for [our] sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)

“Hmmm… okay, so how does someone become a Christian?”

“I’m glad you asked.”

“It’s a matter of believing what the Bible says about how to be right with God, and placing your complete trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.”

“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:17-18)

“And Jesus promised…”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes on has eternal life.” (John 6:47)

“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

“How about you? If you want to make that decision, you can pray to God from your heart in words like these…”

“Dear God, Thank you for being there for me to lean on, even when I didn’t realize I had a need for Your love and forgiveness. I now place my trust in Your Son, Jesus, who died and rose from the dead on my behalf. Thank you for Your gift of eternal life. Amen.”

“Hmmm…”

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