“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18
The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news! It’s good news that by grace alone, through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross any person can be saved. Saved from what, you might ask? Saved from the just, or righteous, condemnation of God for our sins. We are, each one, guilty before God. We each live our lives in relation to God. God is our creator and stands in righteous authority over our lives. We all are born into rebellion and with a nature that wants to reject God’s will. We want to go our own way, to do our own thing, and the consequences of this is a broken relationship with God.
However, God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born miraculously of a virgin. To live among us full of grace and truth. To live among us in perfection. Jesus fulfilled all of the Father’s will during His life, most importantly, to die upon the cross as a substitution for you and for me. In Christ the righteous justice of God is met, and with this demand for justice met, by grace your sins can be washed away. Though you were covered over and corrupted by anger, lust, fear, jealousy, envy, addiction, and covetousness, you can be forgiven and washed clean!
It can be intimidating to talk to people about the state of their soul. Sometimes we don’t know where to begin or what to say, but all Christians have a responsibility to tell others (be witnesses) about the way of salvation in Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be an evangelist! There are no magic words, but there is truth that must be shared. When sharing Christ with others, I encourage you to begin with the Scripture. Nothing brings clarity and conviction, and nothing speaks to the soul like God’s word. Begin there. Often times people have heard various reasoned arguments, but have never encountered God through His living word. Next, work through the basic steps used by evangelist Billy Graham. Every person that comes to salvation must:
- Admit your need: I am a sinner
- Be willing to turn away from your sins: Repent
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you and rose again from the grave: Right understanding
- Through prayer, believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord: Make it personal
None of these steps can be skipped in authentic conversion, but seldom are all these steps covered at one time, or on one occasion. Belief is a process that involves learning and heart change, but it’s a process that culminates in a point of decision: a moment of belief where a person believes that “Jesus is Lord,” where they did not believe before.
Most Christians struggle with sharing their faith, but I encourage you to remember who had the courage to share Christ with you, and how that blessed good news has transformed your life. I encourage you to visit our website (RedeemerVA.org) and click on the “Next Steps” tab. Under this tab select “Jesus.” Here you’ll find an extended video presentation from me on the Gospel. I hope it will be helpful to you in sharing and talking with non-Christians about Jesus.
Be faithful to tell the good news – then watch as the Lord does the work that only He can do to change hearts. Angels in heaven rejoice when one soul comes to salvation. Let us be faithful, at home with our children and abroad, to seek the lost in love!
Jesus Christ is Lord,
Pastor Vic