"Evangelism: Sharing The Gospel" - Steve Wiggins Special Devotional Series

What If ...

Let’s say that you completely shared the GOSPEL with someone. Finally, you come to that last question: “Do you believe what I shared is TRUE?”

If they say, “Yes” then you should lead them in a prayer, where they acknowledge to G_d that they believe 1) Yeshua the Messiah is L_rd, by virtue of His atoning work on the cross and 2) Yeshua has risen from the grave, He is alive today and (by GRACE) offering eternal & abundant life to them…and they are receiving that GRACE by placing their FAITH & trust in Him alone and committing to follow Him.

BUT, what if the person says “No”?

Obviously, the first thing you want to do is to engage and address their questions and objections. Re-direct and re-share what the Bible says about G_d, Messiah and mankind.

Know this: Some people are simply NOT READY to receive the L_rd. And YOUR job as an obedient believer, sharing the gospel, is to be faithful to share the entire gospel, period. You are NOT commanded to make people believe. That is the job of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

Recently, I was discussing this exact situation with my friend Chad Williams, former Navy Seal and street apologist/evangelist. http://www.tyndale.com/10_Authors/author_bio.php?authorID=1451 Chad shared with me his approach to dealing with people who are “almost ready”, but are still hesitant to believe in Yeshua. Here is his advice:

Once you have addressed their questions, consider asking them these 2 QUESTIONS:

1) Is there any sin in your life that is worth going to Hell over? (BTW, they ALL say, “No!”)
2) In light of the fact that you believe what I have shared with you is true; and there is no sin in your life worth going to Hell over…can you give me a good reason why you shouldn’t get right with G_d RIGHT NOW? (BTW, there are no good reasons not to believe)

Do not be surprised, if after you ask these two questions, that the person you have been sharing with is ready to proclaim faith in Yeshua as Messiah and L_rd. Then, you can offer to lead them in that prayer, emphasizing their need for personal sincerity (in their need for salvation) and ownership (of the object of their faith: Yeshua, alone).

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Tuesday, February 11, 2014