How can Christians respond to the despair that many unbelievers have?

NICHOLS: That’s a really hard thing because we as Christians can’t live without these truths. Going back to the classic apologetics text, 1 Peter 3:15, it’s because of these truths that we have hope. One of the hardest things for Christians is that we want this to be true for all the people we love and know. We almost feel like the burden is on us for that person being regenerate or unregenerate, but we must recognize that they are in God’s hands.

While we have the responsibility to be faithful witnesses, we don’t have the responsibility of making people converts. It’s hard for us because this truth means so much, and we want other people to have it too. However, we must rest in God’s wisdom and goodness, trusting Him with the lives of the people we love.

PARSONS: I know many people who are unbelievers, and I think they need us to clearly and simply explain to them what it is we believe, not only about the gospel, but about God. Then we need to exemplify for them what it means to follow Christ in times like this and what it means to trust the Lord. We must exemplify a spirit of calm, of truly resting in our God. We also must remember to pray for them.

This is a transcript of Stephen Nichols’ and Burk Parsons’ answers from our Made in the Image of God event and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.