Here's some more on what we need to tell folk when they come to ask us about our hope in Jesus. Let me remind you that this is not about some method. This is not a step-by-step presentation of Gospel facts. These are some basic facts that need to be communicated in some way and in whatever order.
We need to make sure that folk understand that the God who created them has expectations of them. Again, this may be a very new idea to them. But this is one of those foundational bits of reality that people need to understand about God before they can make an intelligent response to the Gospel. For far too many folk today, God, if He exists, is someone who is obligated to do things for them. So, for example, He's supposed to love them in ways that they have determined. And when He doesn't they get mad at Him. They really don't understand that it's actually the other way around. We, as His creatures, are obligated to do things for Him. It's part of the reason why He made us in the first place. He has made clear what living like this would look like. It's all in the Bible. And it's as we live in this way that life actually makes sense and works like it's supposed to.
It's only when someone understands this that he will then be able to understand what the problem is. We have not fulfilled our obligations to God. In fact, we have refused to do so. We are not living as creatures who are submitting to Him. Instead, we have refused to meet His expectations.
The problem becomes clearer when we tell folk that those expectations have teeth. God is not like some permissive parent who lets his children get away with murder. He has expectations and when those expectations are not met, He acts to bring consequences.
So, here are some inter-related bits of reality that people need to grasp if they are going to understand the Gospel. (And how can people believe the Gospel if they don't understand it?) God has created us, and He has done so with clear expectations in mind. Our failing to meet those expectations results in consequences.