Here is how the conversation goes with the typical American Protestant…
Me: I want to go to Heaven. How can I be saved?
Typical American Protestant (TAP): Well, Jesus died for the sins of Christians and anyone who believes in Him is a Christian and is saved.
Me: So, am I a Christian?
TAP: Hmmm… good question. Do you believe in Jesus?
Me: I think so. But, I’m not sure. How can I know for sure that I believe?
TAP: Well, that’s a dumb question! Look into your heart. What do you see?
Me: I don’t see anything.
TAP: Oh yeah. Then what do you feel? Do you feel faith?
Me: What does faith feel like?
TAP: Oh, you’ll know it when you feel it! The Holy Spirit will make sure of that!
Me: Hmmm… Well, just a second…. Oh yeah, there it is. I think I can feel it. I think that I have faith.
TAP: Well, good for you!
Me: So that’s it. I’m going to Heaven?
TAP: Whoa, easy there, pistol! What kind of faith do you have? True faith or hypocritical faith? Only those with true faith will persevere to the end. Hypocritical faith will fade away, and then you’ll be lost.
Me: Oh brother. How am I supposed to know the difference?
TAP: Try looking even deeper into your heart.
Me: I don’t see anything.
TAP: Oh yeah, sorry. Feel deeper then. What do you feel?
Me: Well, now that you mention it, I sort of feel like a sinner. I worry. I covet. I don’t always trust God with my life.
TAP: Oh boy. The only way you can know if you have true faith is if you start getting rid of those sins. People with true faith live better, you know.
Me: So I should start living better?
TAP: You’re not saved by living better, but if you want to know if you have true faith, you better live better.
Me: Wait a minute here. Are you saved?
TAP: I’m almost positive I am.
Me: How do you know?
TAP: I have faith.
Me: True faith?
TAP: I must. Look at me. I’m totally sold out for Jesus. I don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t play cards. I give 10% at church. I even sing in the praise band.
Me: That’s great. It must be nice to have such strong faith in Jesus.
TAP: Oh yeah, I have really strong faith in Jesus. After all, look how good I am.
Here is how it would go with a Lutheran…
Me: I want to go to Heaven. How can I be saved?
Lutheran: Well, Jesus died for the sins of every man, woman and child. Are you one of those?
Me: Yes.
Lutheran: Then you are saved. Now, you hungry for some Taco Bell?
Me: Wait a minute. What about my sins?
Lutheran: Forgiven.
Me: It couldn’t be that easy. I’ve done some pretty shameful things.
Lutheran: Are you saying God is lying to you?
Me: No.
Lutheran: Don’t make this difficult, then. Jesus says you’re forgiven. He doesn’t lie.
Me: Hmmm… But, the guy before said I need to have faith in my heart. Is that true?
Lutheran: Yes, it’s true.
Me: Oh great! How do I know if I have true faith or not? How do I know if I’ll persevere to the end? Don’t I have to prove my faith with good works? What if I keep making the same sins? What am I going to do?
Lutheran: Stop it. Don’t worry about your faith. Look to Jesus. Did He die for you?
Me: Yes.
Lutheran: Has He told you that you are forgiven?
Me: Well, yes.
Lutheran: Would He lie?
Me: No.
Lutheran: Then, what is so complicated?
Me: I just thought that there should be some evidence, some kind of inner experience to prove that I am a Christian and that I’m saved.
Lutheran: Don’t worry about that. You wanted to know if you are forgiven and saved. You can’t find that out by looking into the sewage of your own heart and life. You can’t have faith in your faith. Faith, if it is to be faith at all, looks to Jesus.
Did you hear the difference? Learn that you are saved, not by looking into yourself, but by looking at Christ.
Would you trade being Lutheran for anything? Not only is it thoroughly Biblical, but where else is the Gospel so free and so liberating?
