This past weekend, I had the privilege of seeing Lee Strobel speak at the Gridiron Men's conference, in Birmingham Alabama. Those familiar with Lee Strobel, know he is arguably the premier apologist of our time. He is author of the groundbreaking book
The Case for Christ and subject of the movie by the same name.
An apologist, for those not familiar with the term, is someone who can present evidence for faith in Jesus Christ and the science of presenting this evidence is called apologetics.
Being very familiar with Mr. Strobel's story, having read his book and seen the movie about his transformation from atheist to child of God, much of what he shared was also very familiar to me. However, one story Mr. Strobel shared truly impacted me and I knew I would be writing about it when I got home.
Prior to coming to faith in Christ, Lee Strobel was a man who struggled with alcohol abuse and given to violent episodes. Mr. Strobel recounted one incident where, in a booze fueled rage, while arguing with his wife, he kicked a hole in the wall. Strobel's violent behavior negatively impacted his young daughter.
Strobel shared how his toddler aged daughter, happily playing in the living room, would gather her toys, retreat to her bedroom and close the door when daddy arrived home. Mr. Strobel admitted his violent behavior precipitated this behavior from his daughter.
If you are familiar with Lee Strobel and his story, you know he embarked on a two year journey in search of truth and was confronted with a far different set of facts than he expected. Faced with irrefutable evidence concerning the resurrection of Christ, Strobel surrendered his life to the Father, through the Son. Lee Strobel's life began to change as did his behavior at home.
Lee Strobel's daughter watched the transformation taking place in his life and began to wonder, "what's happening with my dad?" One day, at the age of five, Strobel's daughter told her daddy, "I want what you have." This precious child, who hid in fear of her alcohol fueled, raging father, watched the transforming power of Jesus Christ and knew she needed that power in her life.
Here is what I took away from this story: Remember, Lee Strobel had all the evidence necessary to make the case for Christ. Strobel had years of research and historical documentation. None of that was relevant to his five year old little girl. What mattered to her was the change taking place in her father's life and behavior.
Today, Alison Strobel is grown and actively serving Christ. Not because he father presented her irrefutable information about the savior but because her father allowed the savior to manifest Himself in his life. Lee Strobel's changed life was a far more convincing apologetic to his daughter than the book he would later write.
More than your than your words, believer, your actions will tell others what you believe. If someone watched your life, would they be able to make a case for Christ? Can those who live with you make a case for Christ based on your behavior? Would there be enough eyewitness testimony to convict you of being a follower of Christ?
Jesus, Himself, told us: Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
As much as I hate cliche's, here is a cliche' that holds much truth - no one will care what you know until they know you care. Lee Strobel backed up his faith with action by pursuing holiness in his personal life. The hard truth is, there are many learned Bible scholars whose lives do not reflect their claim to faith, rendering all their great learning meaningless. In Jesus' day, these were called Pharisees. Jesus used strong words of condemnation for Pharisees.
If you have not read The Case for Christ or seen the movie, I encourage you to do both. Even more importantly, I encourage you, pursue truth like Lee Strobel, and, just as necessary, pursue holiness like Lee Strobel so others may encounter your faith in word and deed. Let your life be the case for Christ.
Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!
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