When "God Is Gracious" Isn't Enough…

I was speaking at a Christian men's event recently when something happened that reminded me why this work of sharing the Gospel matters so deeply.

During my talk, I mentioned that some in the room might not be certain, really certain, about where they'd go when they pass from this life. Sure it was a Christian men’s event, but I didn’t want to assume. I invited anyone with questions to find me when we wrapped up.

A man I'd never met before approached me. "Yeah, what you were talking about earlier—that's me," he said. "I don't know where I'm going."

I so admire that kind of courage. It takes something profound for a man to admit uncertainty about his eternal destiny, especially in front of someone he's just met.

The Question Beneath the Answer

I asked him what I've learned to ask: "What are you putting your hope in? If you stood before God and He asked, 'Why should I let you into heaven?' what would you say?"

"Because God is gracious," he answered.

Now here's where we—as believers—often get it wrong. We hear a church word like "grace" or “love” or “santification,” and we fill in the blanks for the person. We so want to believe they already know Christ. “Oh, they used the right vocabulary. “ we think. “They must understand.” We equate true comprehension with vocabulary.

I could hear the mantra in my mind, “Don’t fall for churchy words, Grant.” Something told me to go deeper.

"So what’s that grace based on?" I asked.

He paused. "I don't know."

Let that settle for a moment.

Just seconds earlier, a cursory look at his answer would have told us this man was a Christian. He used a specific right word. He mentioned grace. But now we're beginning to see more clearly—this dear man didn't yet have eternal life. He didn't know the foundation upon which God's grace rests.

I offered him a framework: "So it's based on His nature?"

"Yes," he said. "It's based on His nature."

So Close, Yet So Far

It sounds like a great answer, doesn't it? And it's so close to the truth. God is gracious. God is loving. No question about either of those.

But God is also just, and His justice requires that sin be punished. That's the incredible tension at the heart of the Gospel. And so many good people are relying on that incomplete reality that misses the holiness of God and the whole reason Jesus HAD to die if we were going to have any chance of entering heaven. Our holy God cannot simply overlook our offenses—all our goodness, every bit of it stacked together, could never wash away the bad.

That's why He gave us His Son. That's why the cross isn't just a beautiful story—it's the linchpin of everything. And that is also why every person must make the decision for themselves. As in the Garden of Eden, God gave us free will. The cross is not a blanket forgiveness for humanity. Every person has free will today.

The Moment of Clarity

I didn't ask the man for permission to share the Gospel right then, though normally I would. But this was clearly why he'd come to find me.

I told him there was some bad news and good news, but the good news was so good that it can more than make up for the bad. The bad news: what he was currently trusting in wouldn't lead to eternal life. He seemed to receive that ok. The good news: what I was about to share would give him the opportunity to know—really know, with absolute certainty—that he was going to heaven. He would never have to doubt again where he was going.

I walked him through the grand story—from creation to today, showing him the Gospel, the amazing gift of Christ and what He accomplished for us. As I spoke, I watched tears begin streaming down his face.

"Does this make sense?" I asked.

"No one," he said, "has ever put it all together for me like this."

We got on our knees together at the front of that little chapel, and he gave his life to Christ—while men throughout the room continued their fellowship, enjoyed their donuts, and experienced the ordinary goodness of God in community.

Why This Matters

I share this story not to highlight anything I did, but to give glory to God. He orchestrates these moments. He prepares hearts. He opens doors.

And it’s been burning in me to share this story with you. I do so because it illustrates something crucial about evangelism: we have to be willing to ask the next question. We can't assume understanding just because someone uses familiar language. We have to press in—gently, lovingly, but genuinely—to discover where someone truly is.

That's what the Blue Line is all about. Recognizing these moments of spiritual openness. Being willing to step into them. Not being satisfied with surface-level answers when eternity hangs in the balance.

God is at work in so many ways, in so many lives. And He can work through you as you stay attentive to His leading.

Be encouraged today. Feel His love. And remember: the most important conversations often begin with just one more question.

Grace and peace,
Grant Reed
Founder, Ready to Tell Ministries

P.S. Have you ever had a moment where asking one more question changed everything? I'd love to hear your story. Please share your comments below.

A Giving Tuesday Thought: This conversation happened because someone was willing to press in with one more question. Ready to Tell Ministries - a 501(c)(3) -exists to help believers recognize these moments and respond with grace and clarity. If you'd like to help us train more Christians to share their faith naturally and confidently, would you consider a gift today? readytotell.org/give Thank you!