I was a college student myself when I first heard the gospel. College is a special turning point in our lives, a time when many of us are on our own for the very first time. Generally speaking, college is an experience that goes beyond classes and job training. College is a kind of plateau on our journey, a place where we wrestle with genuine philosophical questions. People may hate philosophy classes. They may find them dry and boring, but sooner or later everyone approaches his/her life in a philosophical manner, asking questions such as; “What am I doing here? What is the true meaning of life? What is truth? Where can I find peace?” When I myself asked such questions, I was looking for God without realizing it. This search eventually led me to an encounter with the Spirit of God. Prior to this encounter, I was exposed to the gospel (“good news”) of Jesus. I appreciated, very much, the person who took the time to explain Jesus to me. Ever since then, I have sought to help others who may also be looking for God in their own way.
Often I am asked, “If so many people are looking for God, why are so few claiming to find Him? And why do they need people like you? Couldn’t God just reach out Himself to seeking souls?”
God does reach out. The Bible tells us that He rewards those who genuinely seek Him. (Heb 11:6) But He also commands His followers to share His message of love and forgiveness (Matt 28:19). God made us in His spiritual image and He enjoys working with people, rather than working in isolation.
As for the issue of few finding God, there are various reasons and potent obstacles to point out.
One obstacle is the negative experience people may have had with Christianity. Some were dragged to church reluctantly as kids. Others are bothered by the hypocrisy of many organized religions. My own people, the Jews, have been murdered in the name of Christianity and called “Christ Killers.” It meant a lot to me to meet a loving Christian who told me that those who persecute in the name of Jesus do not really understand Jesus and are misrepresenting His name. He went on to point out that Jesus died for everybody and that technically we are all His killers because, if not for our own sins, He would not have needed to die.
Ideologies get misrepresented all the time. Would we judge other beliefs by the same standard with which we judge Christianity?
“Is Abraham Lincoln responsible for the Watergate Conspiracy?” I often ask.
“No, of course not.”
“Well why not? Follow the logic. Abraham Lincoln and his associates created the Republican Party. Nixon was also a Republican. So Lincoln must be responsible for everything Nixon did.”
“Well Nixon lived a hundred years later.”
“And Jesus lived quite some time before the Crusades, the Inquisition, the tele-evangelist scandals etc.”
Showing people the difference between the love of Jesus and the hypocrites who sometimes misrepresent him is one of the reasons I enjoy talking to college students.
I am also aware of the fact that generally (with some, but few. exceptions) today’s universities foster a climate hostile toward Christianity. Observe the typical Religious Studies class. Boy, do I feel sorry for any student, looking for God, who tries to find Him in a Religious Studies class. In such an arena they will listen to their instructor say,” Now we aren’t here to judge other people’s religions because each religion is beautiful in its own way and we should learn to appreciate it.” What he means, of course, is that we must be tolerant of all religions except Christianity. While taking in Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam we will simply hear what the religion teaches, without commentary. When Christianity comes up, we will hear about how the Bible is full of contradictions. We will also be told that the Bible is a hateful book and a chauvinistic book and a book that promotes genocide.
Of course the ultimate barrier between people and God are their own sins. God does love you and does want to forgive you, but whether or not you will admit that you are a sinner (a person guilty of selfishness) is your own business. As for the barriers listed above, the barriers imposed on students from other sources, these, I enjoy challenging. And that is why I visit college campuses with the gospel of Jesus.
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