Question:  Dear Greg,

            I’m troubled lately with concerns about my parents’ salvation.  While I know my mom has a good chance of being saved, I am mostly sure my dad does not.  I wonder if you could help.  As many people do, he has issues with the “institution” of church, having seen hypocrisy, etc.  He fought in Vietnam and believes that he is not worthy of church and that God can’t forgive him.  I know I can show him in the Bible about forgiveness but I just don’t believe that will be enough.  Also, I can’t talk to him outright.  I have sent letters and things to him so he can spend time with them on his own, but I am not sure if it has helped or affected him at all.  This weighs heavily on my heart and when I saw you answer questions, I thought I should at least try for some help. 

            I’d appreciate any advice you could offer.  I’m scared for Daddy’s soul.  Thank you for your time and your ministry.

            Amanda

Answer:  Dear Amanda,

            I understand your concern.  Here are some thoughts:

1.      Salvation is not our responsibility.  It is God’s.  God may use us as his tools, or he may not.  We do not have to worry about who gets saved, who remains saved, who “makes” it, who doesn’t—or at least, all those people who seem to us to be saved or not be saved.

2.      Your father’s eternal salvation is not your responsibility.  It is good that you are concerned, but you should not be worried.  Your father’s salvation is not up to you.  God does invite us to share the good news with others, but he never tells us that the way we share the good news is the only way that he will reach people.  Come to think about it, we can thank God for that, can’t we?

3.      You mentioned that you feel that your father can’t let go of the hypocrisy that he has seen in church and that he doesn’t think God can forgive him.  We address these issues at length here at PTM on radio, in our magazines, booklets, our website, etc.  Perhaps our ministry can be helpful to your father.  If you think it would help, feel free to forward this message to him.

4.      Since it seems that your father doesn’t want you to “preach” to him, don’t. Your efforts would be counter-productive.  Pray and ask God to do what you cannot do.  Again, if you think that your father would listen to PTM and our media ministry, let him know how to get in touch with us.  We are not a church, and we don’t badger people into joining any particular church.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht