Leading Someone to Christ

Scripture: "But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

I used to feel like a failure when someone I shared the gospel with said “no” to Jesus. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and evangelism became a tension-filled obligation, rather than the joyful privilege it is meant to be.

By God’s grace, this all changed when I attended a retreat on evangelism. The teacher explained to us that a person's path to salvation could take many steps. Maybe first, he said, they will learn about God's existence and Creation. Perhaps later, they hear about God's love. Still later, they find out how God sent Jesus to show us the Father’s heart, to die for our sins, and offer us eternal life. 

Even after someone hears the Gospel, it might take more Christian influence to help them believe and embrace it. Each interaction you have with a non-believer can make an impact, and help them on their journey to accepting Christ.

Desiring Salvation

The Bible assures us that "everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved" (Joel 2:32). When you love someone, you want to help them find God's salvation. God Himself loves humanity so much that He "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

Working Together

Our teacher urged us not to lose heart over those who did not come to faith right away. Instead of seeing people simply as saved or unsaved, he told us to visualize a person’s spiritual journey on a scale from 1 to 10. Just introducing someone to the idea of God, you might help move them from "1" to "2." Another believer might help them the next few steps, and you might have a chance to influence them again, so they can eventually get to "10," coming to a saving faith. After all, all Christians should share God's love, and He has given us different strengths to do so: "the human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Pray over the Message

The Apostle Paul instructed, "pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored" (2 Thessalonians 3:1). When you help someone understand God's loving plan, remember to pray that His Word will have an impact on them. Continue to gently encourage them to accept Jesus as their Savior. Pray that you will "make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response" (Colossians 4:5-6) for those to whom you present the Gospel. 

Finally, remember that you witness with your life as well as your words. Each time you trust God in the midst of trials, or respond with Spirit-filled love to those who hurt you, you encourage non-believers to become Christ-followers as well.