For Those Unaware of Biblical Teaching on Judgment:
1. Explain the material in the "Background." Note: Most cults have unbiblical views of this subject.
2. Invite him or her to receive Christ, if this is indicated in the conversation.
3. Follow the suggestions on the previous page in numbers 3, 4, and 5.
Scripture
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:11–15).
"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works" (Revelation 20:11–13).
LONELINESS
Background
Loneliness is the painful realization that we lack meaningful and close relationships with others. This lack leads to emptiness, melancholy, isolation, and even despair. A sense of rejection and a low self-image are present because we can't relate, or we feel left out and unwanted, no matter how hard we try to belong.
The kind of society we live in can contribute to loneliness. It is difficult for some to maintain a strong identity and meaningful relationships amid what seems to be a jungle of bureaucracy, specialization, regimentation, and competition. Mobility and constant change tend to make some individuals feel rootless and disconnected.
Loneliness can be self-inflicted. Some people find it difficult to communicate with others or lack confidence because they have a poor selfimage. Others yearn for togetherness, yet their demand for privacy and independence inhibits the development of meaningful ties with others. The fear of exposure of their inner selves results in a kind of social paralysis.
In many of his messages, Billy Graham has referred to that "cosmic loneliness" of the person who is separated from God and feels that life has little meaning. He says, "There are thousands of lonely people who carry heavy and difficult burdens of grief, anxiety, pain, and disappointment; but the loneliest of all is one whose life is steeped in sin."
One of the results of the Fall is that humankind became alienated from God. This alienation caused Adam and Eve to hide from God and to try to cover up their sin. It is only as we find forgiveness in Christ that we are relieved of the loneliness resulting from this alienation from God. The psalmist exulted in God's work in his life by writing, "He restores my soul" (Psalm 23:3). This restoration removes the causes of our alienation: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" (Colossians 1:21–22, NIV).
Our restoration to fellowship with God also involves our being indwelt by God's Holy Spirit: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"