Call In Bob George p383 (10-11-18)
Bob George, on People to People radio for over 30 years, answers questions by several callers. The first caller, Sam, asks about a Muslim and what happens when he dies and then about those who have never heard, even those in a remote place. Larry, the second caller, asks about what it means to take up your cross and follow Christ. The final caller for today, John, asks a specific question about Romans 8:17 in regards to what it means to suffer with Christ?
Sam, the first caller asks about a Muslim, born in a Muslim nation, where would he go when he dies, heaven or hell? Bob explains that all countries were Christian nations at one time, and how Muhammad converted people to Muslim religion. But the real point he made was that it is not
about converting someone to a religion but converting someone to Christ. He then explains more thoroughly what Jesus Christ did, that is so unique and special that no religion really addresses, the condition of man in sin and the need to come to Christ for life. Truth revealed in scripture is what all men need to hear and understand in order to come to Christ.
Sam then asked about those who have never heard? Bob George challenges his claim by stating that all religions have heard about Jesus Christ – some saying he was a prophet and others denying the trinity. So, they heard but chose to believe a lie and many choose to teach a lie to confuse or mislead those who want to hear. So, actually everyone has the opportunity to hear. The real truth concerning Jesus Christ is revealed to men through his word. Then Bob George addresses the more general question about the heathen in a remote place. Bob responds by saying that anyone who wants to know God, God will reveal himself to him. He then cites a personal testimony of a man who came to Christ from a remote region accustomed to idols.
Larry, the second caller, and recently a new believer, asks a question in regards to a verse in Luke 9:23.
Luke 9:23
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
In response to his question about what it means to “take up his cross daily”, Bob George points him to look at the context of the passage. Bob shares that in comparison to your love for God, your love for parents should appear like hate. The scripture is not telling believers to hate your parents but rather exhorts those who come to Christ, to show your commitment to God by your manner of life and dedication to proclaiming the gospel message. Larry then asked about being rejection by friends. Bob shares from his own personal testimony, having come to Christ relatively late in life, that it is not about you rejecting your former friends but they rejecting you. Jesus did not reject anyone, but his enemies rejected him. Then he encouraged Larry to form attitudes of heart that is prepared in advance to respond to whatever circumstances in life one might face. Bob then goes into more detail again about what Jesus Christ life on the earth meant and the meaning of the cross in regards to the condition of man in sin and his need to know that he is already dead, so he might seek life in Christ. He reiterates the same gospel message as addressed to the first caller.
John, the last caller, asks a specific question about Romans 8:17.
Romans 8:17
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
He specifically asks Bob to explain what the phrase “so be that we suffer with him means”? Bob first addressed that believers are not to look for suffering, which would be nonsensical to do, but rather that suffering may indeed come. But whatever suffering we must endure here is nothing in comparison to the glory to be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Bob also addressed that all of us are going to suffer naturally in this world as are current bodies are subject to decay and vulnerable to disease and death, temporary bodies as they are. He encouraged John to be prepared to go through sufferings as Christ did, and the key is simply trusting the Lord. Most of us, in comparison to Paul and Christ, have had to suffer little in comparison. Nevertheless, we should take note of their example and trust in the Lord as they did. He also sites examples of suffering for Christ by Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s son who came to Christ and was rejected by his family, who were atheists and what is common among Jews who come to Christ and who face emotional rejection.
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