Evangelism: What are distractions to leading someone to Christ?
When trying to lead someone to salvation it is extremely important that you stay on the pertinent subject matter. I have found that unbelievers like to take believers down alleys that won’t lead to the accomplishment of your goal. Here are some of the common ones I’ve addressed with articles you’ll find on this website. The names of the articles are underlined. To find any one of them just type the name of the article or even a key word into the search box and press your enter key. It should pop up.
Is the Bible true?
Bible: What authority does it have?
What about evolution?
Evolution: How can it simply be proven false?
There being so many denominations, who’s right?
Division: Why can’t Christians get along?
What happens to people who’ve never heard the gospel?
Salvation: What about those who have never heard the gospel?
But what you must understand if you’re ever to be effective in leading people to Christ for salvation is that all of these I’ve just listed, and some others, are distractions that you don’t need to delve into with them. Instead, you should provide a short answer and move on to the subject matter that is pertinent to the situation—things related to the gospel message itself. Just accepting the Bible as authoritative, believing that the universe is the product of God’s creation, explaining reasons for division among Christians, and addressing the issue regarding what happens to people who’ve never heard the gospel are not what the unbeliever needs to hear most. Instead, they need to hear the gospel message itself. That includes the details about how Christ died for their sins, was buried, and resurrected from His grave. Not until they hear, understand, and believe these things will they be saved. Just believing in God and having the answers to such questions as I’ve listed above never saved anyone. Here are some issues and passages that do need to be explained.
First, the unbeliever needs to be brought into the realization that no matter how worthy they may believe they are for salvation and entrance into Heaven, they still need a Savior.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [Emphasis added]
Then they need to see that God’s righteousness demands payment for sin.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Emphasis added]
Then notice the last part of that verse. Salvation is said to be A GIFT, not something earned or deserved. There are other passages that also tell us of this.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
As you discuss these verses always realize that at any point you are subject to being distracted and led down paths of conversation and even controversy that will be totally unfruitful to the matter at hand. So, if that happens, work to lead the conversation right back to the main issues—the person before you needs to know of their need for salvation and the Savior who has been provided to meet that need. The things that Christ came into the world to do have been accomplished so that their greatest need can be met. Because of God’s love for them, that need has been provided through Jesus Christ. Here you might want to refer to John 3:16. But even though that passage speaks of God’s love for us, our gospel for today is nowhere to be found in John 3:16 or in that passage because there’s nothing there about the cross-work of Christ. For more information and a clear understanding about this, please go to my article about it—
Bible: What’s the true meaning of John 3:16?
Therefore, instead of using John 3:16 for this, refer to this passage—
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Emphasis added]
More details about what happened in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are given in other passages of Scripture you can refer to in the conversation. The things herein need to be explained.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit [that is to say], that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Here you need to emphasize the fact that all their sins, past, present, and future were identified with Christ who was then judged for them, paying the complete penalty for them on the cross. Again, Christ died FOR THEM, paying the complete penalty for them! This doesn’t mean they then already HAVE salvation but that it’s then possible for them to be saved. To actually have it, they must simply accept by faith what He did for them. Their faith must be placed in HIS work and not their own works for salvation. If they accept this work He did for them, they’ll even be able to help others understand this so they too can be saved.
20 Now then we [as ones who’ve believed and relied on this] are ambassadors [personal representatives] for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
This means that by accepting this work He did for them, instead of continuing as one of God’s enemies, they will be immediately reconciled to Him. And, again, this is how this was made possible for them or anyone—
21 For he [God] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
Yes, it is when you believe that He did this for you that He credits you with the righteousness [or goodness] you need to be made acceptable to Him and saved.
As important and valuable as this salvation is, it is not something you or anyone ever earns or deserves.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
It is faith in God and HIS work that has always been the means for one’s salvation, not anything man does in trying to earn it.
Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration [PALINGENESIA = born again], and renewing [ANAKAINOSIS = renewal in thinking] of the Holy Ghost; [Emphasis added]
Please don’t think you have to go through any specific set of verses in the Bible to lead someone to Christ and salvation. But by showing them what the Bible says, as in passages like these, it lets them know that you’re not just giving your own opinion about these things but what exactly God has said.
It is important that you exude confidence when you present these things. Again, you’re not presenting an opinion, but the truth everyone needs to know. Your objective is to do a good job of that. It is the good news itself that should do the convincing. It’s not to say that your presentation is not a part of that. It is! But most importantly it is the good news itself that you have to present that’s most important. The list of things that interfere with this is long. Here are some examples of things that have been told to people that have nothing to do with the gospel message and the means to salvation—
They need to be baptized.
They need to join some church.
They need to “repent” of their sins.
They need to ask God to save them.
They need to open their heart to Jesus.
They need to commit their lives to Christ.
They need to ask Christ to come into their heart.
They need to ask God for forgiveness of their sins.
Not one or any combination of these has ever provided salvation because they all in one way or another represent some system of personal works for salvation. Again, salvation comes by God’s grace, not our works in any form. Salvation doesn’t come to anyone by them DOING something but by them accepting what God has already DONE through Jesus Christ. It is faith in God’s provision for it that provides salvation, not anything else. You’ll find articles of explanation on this website about nearly all of these in the above list. You can even find more about all this in my book that addresses this subject and much more—
22 Key Promises You Can Count On
Again, for anything you wish to find on our website, just type a key word in the search box and press your enter key. You should then see one or more articles listed that address whatever it is you are questioning.
Every gospel presentation of one kind or another represents something of a sales presentation. In this case, you have the best and most important of all products. Furthermore, what you’re offering is even FREE. But you’ll find that nearly everyone thinks they must in some way “pay” for it. But an extremely important part of what you have to tell them is that salvation is absolutely FREE. There is no charge for it on their part at all. It was Jesus Christ who “paid the price” so that they would have the opportunity to be saved freely. The false teachings of “Religion” will, however, always tell people otherwise.
People are in the habit of thinking NOTHING is free, especially something as valuable as salvation. But, again, that’s an important part of why your message is called the gospel, meaning good news. So, get on with the presentations of it. What you still don’t know about making such a presentation will be learned by “practice” in making actual presentations. Some form of presentation of these principles of truth is always better than no presentation at all. There’s no way to even begin to describe the value of what you’re presenting. We just need to give thanks to God for the opportunity to make such a presentation.
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable [ANEKDIEGETOS = inexpressible] gift. [Emphasis added]
One last thing—Never think that the “success” of your presentation demands a positive response from the one you’re making the presentation to. Such is NOT the case at all! The “success” is found in making a clear and correct presentation. Never “muddy the waters” with works as a part of the means to anyone’s salvation. Just present in love the content of this article and you will have done an excellent job. Then ask God in prayer to use your words to be a part of what leads them to their everlasting salvation.
