LETTER TO AN "UNBELIEVER"
September 4, 1997
Don Hawley
I feel impelled to write you this morning, _______ . . .
. . . even before I begin my day's activities. In our search for truth, you and I are kindred spirits. Neither of us is interested in that which falls short of truth, and we cannot commit ourselves fully until we find that which is worthy of such commitment. Unless something is worth dying for, it isn't worth living for. I wish we could converse face to face, but distance doesn't allow, so a letter will have to suffice.
The world is full of intelligent and honest-hearted people who've "tried Christianity and found it wanting." The truth is that they've never been exposed to the real thing. What they tried was RELIGION, and that is a nasty affair. Some of history's most ungodly persecution took place in the name of religion. There always have been those who could sing hymns to God while their victims burn, and we will see more of that before long.
God deliver me from being RELIGIOUS; I long to be SPIRITUAL. Jesus was crucified because he insisted on being spiritual, rather than religious. Had he been willing to compromise with the religious leaders of his day, he could have avoided the cross. Those who are preparing to spend eternity with God must embrace that which comes only from the indwelling Spirit of God.
You were stuck in a denomination that is permeated with religion, and knows virtually nothing of the things of the Spirit. In its ignorance, in spite of its arrogant profession to be God's singularly chosen people, it has always denied what took place on Calvary--a "Christian" group fighting Christ's supreme sacrifice! I don't blame you for refusing to unite with any organization that has no legitimate reason for existence. For the first time in my life I have joy in the Lord, and it is because I've become a member of the Body of Christ--the church invisible. Never again will I put my name on the dotted line for a mere manmade institution.
You call yourself an unbeliever, a non-Christian. I disagree. I won't have time just now to present Biblical undergirding for my position, but I do not accept the common belief that on Calvary Jesus only provided us with the POSSIBILITY of salvation.That popular misconception says that unless during our lifetime we say the magic formula, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior," we will burn. This is not true. There will be many in heaven who've never heard the name of Jesus; even though they had an intimate relationship with him.
When Jesus died on Calvary he purchased our SALVATION; we are born saved! And unless during our lifetime we knowingly, willfully, and finally reject that salvation, we will be in the Kingdom. I've been around you enough to observe the gentle, kind, and loving way you treat others. Such attributes are the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and come only from him. That means you are a Christian. You are yourself unaware of that fact, because of what has been thrust upon you by "religion."
If I were to be marooned on a deserted island, and allowed only three books, I would choose:
* A Bible, in an easy-to-read translation. My present choice is the "New Living Translation."
* An exhaustive concordance to help me find the Bible texts I seek.
* A copy of "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence.
This little 300-year-old classic can be read in one sitting. It deals with knowing God, as opposed to being merely religious. Instead of dredging up the minutiae that professed Christians love to fight over, it instead portrays in a most simple manner the very heart of true Christianity. I'm enclosing a copy, and hope you will read it carefully and prayerfully, trying to resist the intrusion of "religious" things you've found distasteful in the past.
There is a whole new wonderful world out there beyond "playing church."
God Bless!
Don
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