An open letter to a skeptic

(Author's name withheld by request)

Dear brother in Christ,

I have known you for all my life, and I have looked up to you all my life. As a child, you were one of my heroes that could save the day with your quick thinking and skills that allowed you to solve any problem presented to you. Your talents have produced great success in the company you have made, and you are excelling in all areas as you continue to grow. However, I grieve for you.

Although you grow in your company, you do not grow in faith. In fact, you yourself have declared that your faith is dead. I remember well the day you said that there is no point in thinking about the afterlife, because all we have is what is on earth. My heart broke.

You have turned toward earthly pleasures and away from God’s precious gift. You openly mocked those who believe God exists. You even refuse to talk about the idea of church. When I asked you what you live for, you said that you wanted to be remembered and to have a legacy after you die. This is foolishness.

Your drive for success has driven you to believe what the world has taught you, that your purpose is only for making yourself great. What happens when there are no more people to remember you? This legacy you strive for will not last. Only God, heaven, and hell are eternal. The Word says, "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:8).  I pray that the Spirit will turn you back to him.

First, the world made you forget about going to church. Then it made you want to forget about church, and finally it made you want to hate the church. Looking inward at yourself made you block out God’s call to you. Ultimately, you became proud.

Brother, you put yourself above many others. I don’t want to beat you over the head with the Bible, but I want to warn you.  Isaiah prophesied, "The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted--and they will be humbled" (Isaiah 2:12). God will not be merciful when that day comes.

Some of your relatives have shunned you for this. However, Jesus commands us, "I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Many may not be in contact with you, but they pray for you. They pray that you will return to God.  "In the same way," Jesus tells you, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). Not only are your relatives hoping you will repent, but all of heaven is rooting for you. God will welcome you into his loving arms if you find your way back to him.

Every day that you continue to turn away from God, I mourn for you. I still think you are my brother and my hero. Even though I cannot battle your arguments with as much intelligence and knowledge as you, I know that someday you will be confronted with the truth, whether through repentance here or judgment at the end of our days. Hell is very real, but so is heaven. Of the two, I hope to find you in the right place.