Mark 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark’s rendering of this saying includes an unmistakable definition of what being sick means. Matthew and Luke left out that little detail. It is a significant definition.

If you are not sick, you will not seek a physician. If you are not a sinner you will not seek salvation. Can we be sick and not know it? Sure we can. Can we be a sinner and not know it? Sure we can.

We will only seek a doctor if we think we are sick. We will only seek salvation if we need it. Knowing we are a sinner does not determine if we will seek salvation. Some relish in the idea of sin. Some do not see the need to change their sinful ways. They are good with being bad.

The first work of salvation is performed by the Holy Spirit as an external agent causing sin to be a burden to the sinner. It stops being fun. Consequences of sin start weighing heavier than the joy of sin. The sinner seeks relief, they become needy.

One of the most important aspects of evangelism is getting to know the condition of the sinner. What is going on in their life? How do they feel they are doing? Are they feeling the pangs of guilt or is the world still to blame for all their problems? Original sin blamed others and it is not until a sinner recognizes that they need to change that salvation will appear on their needs list.

Remember my salvation expression: “I don’t want to be like this.”

Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Having mentioned that there are three faith based religions, I can only speak for mine, Christianity. I am not here to argue. I am here to explain why I am a Christian. The number one reason is because Christianity is where God made Himself known to me in unmistakable terms. I knew He was God without knowing anything about His attributes, character, or methods. I suspect it was easier for me to believe in Him because I had no preconceptions of Him. No one influenced my first visit.

What little I do know about the other faith based religions has to do with the definition of faith, its purpose and ability. In Christianity we put our faith in Christ and by faith we are changed. All three speak to some degree of relationship and have a claim on devotion and I will not argue that. What I do know is that Christianity is the one in which the power of God is active in the inner being, a resident power.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

While all three agree that God will do what pleases God, only in Christianity is it said He does it from within His servants. It has been said within the Christian community that we might be the only Jesus that the lost might see. I go one step further in saying if anyone can see Jesus in me, it is because it pleases the Father to do so. I cannot make Jesus be seen by a sinner. It is up to Jesus to reveal Himself. I can however witness that if a sinner like me can find Jesus, they may also find Him. Seek Him with a right heart attitude. Not to be righteous but needy.