Sharing the gospel with our testimony
The Bible describes those who reject Jesus as living in spiritual darkness. Followers of Jesus are called to shine His light to a dark world through the way we live our lives. Our personal testimonies and attitudes towards others go a long way in sharing the gospel, much more than mere words do.
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 用我们的见证分享福音 | 繁體中文 > 用我們的見證分享福音)
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 5:16 ESV In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Nothing demonstrates God’s salvation more clearly than a radically transformed life that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit.
The battle of the two conversations
The Bible also tells us that those who live in darkness are under the “power of Satan“, the father of lies. In reality, Satan has no real authority of his own. Jesus has already “destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil“. All Satan has is the power of confusion, obstruction, and deception.
Acts 26:18 ESV to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Whenever we testify of Jesus to others, the devil will also start to “preach” lies and plant conflicting arguments into their thoughts. This is the spirit of the antichrist that will deny that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again after three days.
1 John 4:3 ESV And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
The enemy will try to convince people they don’t need God, that Christianity is only for the weak or that Jesus isn’t who He says He is. The enemy will plant doubts and build walls of unbelief in people’s hearts as we speak to them about Jesus.
Spiritual blindness and unbelief are particularly strong in those who worship idols or practice any form of witchcraft, fortune-telling or superstition. Their minds will be “blinded” by Satan, the god of this world, and they will find it hard to perceive and understand the good news of Jesus’ salvation. It will be as if there is an invisible wall of unbelief that separates us from our unbelieving parents, siblings, friends and loved ones. It is easier to disagree on where to eat but much harder to agree on where our souls will end up, because we can’t see heaven or hell with our naked eyes.
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Luke 12:51-53 ESV Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This is one reason why the Bible tells us to avoid foolish controversies and arguments. “Winning arguments” does not win souls, God’s love does. It is pointless to argue with and persuade others when their hearts are still rock-hard against God’s love. They may even turn around to attack us later. This does not make for good relationship building.
Titus 3:9 ESV But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Matthew 7:6 ESV “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Important reminders
1. Our personal transformations are the most powerful testimonies
The best way we can testify for Jesus Christ is by obeying His Word and following His example. People may deny Jesus because they have not personally witnessed His resurrection, but they will not be able to deny the power of God when they personally witness our transformations through the power of His Holy Spirit. We become worthy ambassadors for Christ when we live as new creations for God’s glory.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18,20 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Our lives are open Bibles that “teach” others about God. We cannot merely talk about God without loving Him or obeying His commandments. Otherwise, our testimonies will be quickly discredited.
Matthew 15:7-9 ESV You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Moreover, good living testimonies can help to address many common objections to Christianity.
| Common objections | Possible responses |
| 1. “The Bible is outdated. All this happened 2,000 years ago and no one can prove it.” | “Yes, it does seem that way but I know Jesus is true and real. May I share my story with you?” |
| 2. “A lot of bad things have been done in the name of Christianity.” | “That’s right. Not everything done in the name of Christianity is from God. I used to do many bad things as a Christian before I really got to know Jesus Christ. Now, His Holy Spirit convicts my conscience. May I share my story with you?” |
| 3. “If God is love, why is there so much hate and suffering in the world?” | “Yes, you’re right. God is love. He loves us so much to give us free will to do good or do evil. He could have made us robots but He did not. He loves us so He respects our choices. But we are not very good at making the right choices all the time. That is why Jesus came to die for our sins and give us a fresh start. I have personally experienced this. May I share my story with you?” |
| 4. “There are so many gods out there. Aren’t all gods the same? What makes yours the true God?” | “Yes. That’s what I also used to think. I looked for peace and hope in many different gods, but now I know the difference between Jesus and the rest. May I share my story with you?” |
| 5. “I don’t need God or religion. I’m a good person and that is all that matters.” | “Yes. I used to think I was sinless too. Now I know that sin is a sickness of the heart. It is not a matter of our actions. If we are jealous or unkind only one time, darkness will already have entered our hearts. I couldn’t remove my inner darkness and realised I needed Jesus. He gives us His Holy Spirit to renew us. May I share my story with you?” |
| 6. “Unless God appears in front of me, I won’t believe.” | “I have found that God works in the unseen, not the visible. May I share my story with you?” |
| 7. “Religion is a crutch, I’m doing fine without a crutch. I’m enjoying my life.” | “I used to think I was doing fine because I was successful in many ways. But whenever I was alone, I didn’t feel any true joy or deep peace. Do you ever feel this way? May I share my story with you?” |
| 8. “Your God is not very loving, He rejects all other faiths.” | “When you marry someone, will you expect the person to stay faithful to you and not sleep around? God’s love for us is more intense than that. I am so glad I experienced how much He loves us. May I share my story with you?” |
| 9. “I don’t think God will accept me. I’ve done too many bad things.” | “I have done many bad things too and found that God has willingly forgiven them all. God is a perfect Creator and He wants His creation to flourish. That’s why Jesus came to earth. Jesus helps me turn from bad things. May I share my story with you?” |
| 10. “I have loved ones who have passed away. They might be in hell. I don’t want to abandon them.” | “If your loved ones are really suffering in hell, do you think they want you to join them? Or find a way to be saved and save the rest of your family? I am praying for my family members who are still alive while there is still time. May I share my story with you?” |
| 11. “Why do you say Jesus is God? Isn’t he merely a man?” | “As much as I care for you, I would not die for you. Only God is perfect and capable of dying for another person and resurrecting Himself. Jesus chose to die for us because of He is God. I know this to be true because I have personally experienced Jesus’ love. May I share my story with you?” |
| 12. “Why should I believe in what the Bible says since it is filled with inconsistencies?” | “People have said many things about the Bible, but have you personally studied it to see if what they say is true? The Bible has changed my life. May I share my story with you?” |
2. Don’t testify out of fear but out of love
Our Heavenly Father does not want anyone to perish in hell. He has been giving all of us lots of opportunities to repent towards Him.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Nonetheless, it is horrifying to imagine that one day, we will hear “weeping and gnashing of teeth” from those who reject Jesus and go to hell. Yet at the same time, we should beware not to evangelise out of fear. Fear is not from God. It only turns people off. God is patient and wise, and we need to reflect those qualities too. Although the time is urgent, we must choose to follow God’s lead because He knows the condition of people’s hearts and the best timing for them. If we rush ahead, we may unintentionally circumvent His plans.
Matthew 13:42 ESV The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
3. Love exceptionally well
Exceptional love always overcomes difficult situations and people, even the most hostile ones.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Our world is becoming increasingly selfish, cruel and chaotic. This is the perfect condition to shine Jesus’ radical love even more brightly in contrast. People need more love, not more miracles. As the Bible shows, some unbelievers’ hearts are so hard that even if Jesus appeared before them and performed many miracles before their eyes, they may still choose to reject Him.
John 12:37 NIV Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
4. Be prepared for persecution
Many homes and places are hostile towards the message of Jesus, particularly those that worship idols. We may encounter hatred and lies about who God is, and even be brought before the authorities because of our faith. Jesus pointed out that such opposition can be great opportunities to be a witness for Him. Let us not be discouraged by persecution but rejoice, because God may have specifically prepared such opportunities for us to share His good news. He tells us not to fear and promises that His Spirit will speak through us.
Luke 21:12-13,16 ESV But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness… You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death..
Matthew 10:19-20 ESV When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
5. Be ready to persevere
When we share the gospel with people who are still under the “power of Satan“, we can expect to face push-backs and hostility. This can go on for years. Our enemy will not give up those under his influence without a fight. Neither should we give up so easily. Our hope is in the God above all gods, nothing is impossible for Him. Sometimes, situations may even get quite severe before people become receptive to our Creator.
No great reward is won without great persistence. Therefore, let us persevere to love those who reject the gospel, so we don’t place stumbling blocks in their path to Jesus.
Matthew 19:26 ESV But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
2 Corinthians 6:3-7 ESV We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God…
6. Build bridges, don’t cut off links
As far as it is possible, we ought to maintain peaceful relations with people who don’t yet know Jesus as their Saviour. When they begin to search for the truth, they may remember us as someone they could ask about Jesus. God can lead us to witness to the most unlikely of people. We simply need to be humble and ready.
Romans 12:16-18 ESV Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
7. Fast and seek God for our loved ones
In the spiritual battle to win over people to Jesus, we should consider setting aside time to fast and pray for people. This loosens unbelievers’ chains to Satan’s lies and gives us opportunities to share the gospel with less resistance. See The significance of fasting.
Isaiah 58:6 ESV “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
8. Seek God for His plan
We cannot presume to know what is best for others and pray only for what we can see. Instead, we ought to submit to God and ask Him for His will and guidance. God has perfect plans. We can praise Him that He is always in control, no matter how dire or desperate things may look.
James 4:14-15 ESV yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
9. Be prepared for contentious topics
We need not be anxious if people bring up contentious issues because these are opportunities to bring new light to their views. We may be challenged about our stand on the LGBT movement, sin in the church, or politics for example. In those situations, there is no need to rush to give a reply. Slow down and ask the Holy Spirit for His wisdom.
When we are asked for our opinion about certain people, we need to remember that God calls us not to judge those outside the church. In fact, Jesus welcomed all sorts of people to eat with Him, including those that society despised the most. As His disciples, we need to follow His example and accept people from all walks of life. People who are living in sinful ways already instinctively know that their lives will not meet with God’s approval and do not need more reminders. Instead, they need to hear about Jesus’ love for them and His grace to release them to new life. None of us can save ourselves.
1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
Matthew 9:10 ESV And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.
Often, people use contentious topics to test our love for them, push us away, and challenge our commitment to Jesus. Let us not react cowardly or defensively. Instead, let us sow good seeds of grace and love which God’s Holy Spirit can water and grow. He will make the seeds grow.
James 5:7 ESV Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
10. Be prepared that some people will still reject God
God is gentle, patient and kind. He gives every person the choice of opening or closing their hearts to Jesus. We must be prepared that our loved ones may still reject God in spite of our testimony. Take Judas Iscariot for example. After spending years up close with Jesus, he still ended up rejecting the Son of God. In spite of everything that Jesus did, Judas still chose to follow Satan instead of God.
Revelation 3:20 ESV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Luke 22:3-4 ESV Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
Building bridges in our conversations
Every conversation with non-believers is a precious opportunity for us to build a bridge between them and God. Sometimes, it will take several conversations before they will take a step forward. Let us make the most of each opportunity we get and build strong bridges.
1. Bind spiritual blindness and ask God for guidance
Because the enemy will introduce objections and confusion in people’s minds as we speak with them, we should first pray to bind all spiritual blindness and confusion in Jesus’ name. Do this discretely under our breath, not out loud. As we then submit ourselves to God and ask Him to guide our conversations, His Holy Spirit will give us the words to say.
Matthew 18:18 ESV Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Luke 21:14-15 ESV Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Note: Following Jesus’ example, we do not cast out spirits from people without their permission or without God’s approval. This is not how God calls us to approach people. In fact, it will only aggravate the spirits to come directly against us. We simply silence or bind the spirits that plant lies so that we can speak with fewer interruptions.
2. Be gentle, respectful, affirming and vulnerable
People will accept that we don’t know everything in the Bible, but they will not welcome us if we are self-righteous or judgmental towards them. We ought to avoid false flattery or commercial gain and seek to be gentle and respectful at all times, so as reflect God’s love and grace. In 1 Thessalonians 2, the apostle Paul even describes his approach like “a nursing mother taking care of her own children”. When we are authentic about our shortcomings and point to God as the source of our hope, we will please God by the way we represent His good news to the world.
1 Peter 3:15 ESV But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Thessalonians 2:2,4-8 ESV … we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict… we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
Some common complaints one may hear are that Christians are hypocritical or dogmatic. Unfortunately, there are valid grounds for such accusations. Mankind has misrepresented God time and time again. It is therefore important to acknowledge and state that:
- Only Jesus is perfect.
- We are all works-in-progress, no one is holy or righteous.
- We ought to look at Jesus as the standard, not the Christians in this world.
- The only difference between Christians and other people is that we have asked Jesus for salvation.
- We are weak and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
Romans 3:10 ESV As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
The passage in Titus 3:3-7 gives a good model for how we can present the good news of Jesus.
Titus 3:3-7 ESV For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3. Seek common interests and mutual understanding
It can be daunting to approach the topic of faith. If we ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, He will help us with creative solutions. An example of a creative approach comes from the apostle Paul, who was upset over the many idols that the Greeks were worshipping at that time. When asked by the Greek non-believers about what he was teaching about, Paul addressed them respectfully and then used an example from their own objects of worship to introduce the good news of Jesus. He identified something in common with the Greeks as a starting point.
Acts 17:16,19,22-23 ESV Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols… And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?… So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
| Do | Don’t |
| 1. Show genuine interest. Ask questions to understand their points of view. | 1. Don’t engage in debates. Debates often put us on opposite sides from those we want to reach. Aim to find common areas that we can agree on instead. |
| 2. Affirm them as individuals with the wisdom to make their own judgments. | 2. Don’t talk down to people or use false flattery. |
| 3. Use simple, everyday language. Ensure people always feel respected and comfortable. | 3. Don’t use Christian “jargon”, such as scripture, gospel, resurrection, apostles, testimony etc. |
| 4. Use analogies to demonstrate God’s truths and help others overcome spiritual blindness in non-threatening ways. | 4. Don’t offer opinions. It’s not what we think that matters, it’s what they think that does. |
| 5. Humbly ask for permission to share our own testimony. No one can challenge us about our own lives. We can also refer to real-life, verifiable online testimonies. | 5. Don’t come across as “preachy”, proud and judgmental. Avoid spiritual pride at all cost. |
| 6. Give people time to think and ask questions. | 6. Don’t push people into taking a step towards God. |
| 7. Be careful not to boast about God’s blessings. Boast about His character, love, and mercy. | 7. Don’t propagate the false “prosperity gospel”, which says that things become better when we become Christians. This does not produce a true commitment to and faith in Jesus. What we can promise is the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. |
| 8. Remain humble, joyful and respectful at all times. | 8. Do not take offence or hold on to our own expectations of how people will respond. |
2 Timothy 2:14 ESV Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
1 Corinthians 1:28-31 ESV God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
If someone is open to hearing about the gospel, we can proactively use general, non-threatening conversation starters. Here are just some examples:
- “The world is becoming messier. Man is destroying the planet. What is your opinion about where we are all heading? (Wait for response) The Bible says that Jesus is coming back to create a new heaven and a new earth. What do you think a perfect new earth would look like?”
- “What do you think about (any example of end-time prophesies)? (Wait for response) This is just one of many things the Bible has predicted about the time period before Jesus comes back. Would you like to hear about some of the rest?”
- “What you just said reminds me of a story. May I share it with you? (Wait for response) This is my personal experience of meeting God.”
Sometimes it helps to simply ask, “What has your experience with Christians or Christianity been like?” This will help us identify any misunderstandings or offences that we can discuss.
4. Point to Jesus (not the church)
Many people see Christianity as simply an institutionalised religious system. Others have heard bad reports about churches or pastors or are wary of how churches use the funds they collect.
The world knows that God calls us to a higher moral standard and expects Christians and churches to live up to that calling. The body of God’s followers, however, is made up of imperfect people. Where needed, we need to be prepared to apologise on behalf of the family of Christ, where others have failed to be good representatives of Jesus.
Here are some ways we can address such accusations:
- “I agree with you. Jesus would have been grieved by the way people or institutions have abused His name. Not everything that is done under the banner of Christianity is really from God. The Bible teaches us that we shouldn’t ( ) but these people have disobeyed God Himself.”
- “I am very sorry that those people offended you. This is not the way of Jesus Christ, who is perfect in His love towards us. May I please apologise on behalf of Jesus?”
- “Did you know that Jesus didn’t approve of hypocrites too? Only Jesus sets the perfect model for Christianity.”
Also, see Responding to “Christians are hypocrites”
5. Close with an offer to bless
At the end of our conversations, we can offer to pray a blessing over people if we feel led to. Where we have built goodwill, our offers are not likely to be rejected. We can keep our prayers short, easy to understand, inoffensive and in line with God’s Word.
“I thank you, Jesus, for (person’s name) and our time together. We humbly ask You to please bless his/her family, health and (any other blessings). Help him/her to understand Your love and experience Your faithful goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
6. Ensure follow up
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus described the importance of seed landing on good soil, compared to paths, rocky ground, or thorns. All these represent the condition of our hearts. Good soil refers to someone who receives the gospel and understands it in their hearts. Soil only becomes good when someone makes the effort to cultivate and fertlise it. We should, therefore, continue to work on and “fertilise the soil”. Otherwise, they may readily forget the seeds we have planted because of the world’s deceptions, persecutions, cares, and temptations. We can:
- Ask if they would like more information
- Invite them to attend church or some classes with us
- Send them some books to read
- Refer some online sermons to watch
- Find a good church that is close to where they live
- Introduce them to other believers who can encourage them too
- Offer to read the Bible with them
- Periodically ask them how they are doing in general
Matthew 13:18-23 ESV “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
7. Ask if they are ready to invite Jesus to be their Saviour
If someone seems deep in thought, we might want to ask them if they are thinking about accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour. If they wish to, we can lead them in a simple prayer and baptise them.
Acts 2:38 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“I, (name), admit that I have sinned against God. Today, I choose to turn away from my own ways and invite Jesus Christ to be my Lord, Saviour, and Friend. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for my sins and rising again after three days by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that the blood You shed on the cross cleanses me from the penalty of my sins. Holy Spirit, please come into my life and give me new life. Please show me how to follow You day by day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”
There is nothing to stop us from doing a mini-baptism. In the Bible, people were baptised almost immediately after they repented and turned to Jesus, so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Simply take some water and sprinkle it on them as we follow the steps in Preparing our hearts for baptism. Afterward, we should still encourage them to find a church to belong to and get officially baptised there.
John 3:5 ESV Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
8. Pray to cut spiritual ties
Once we part ways with the person/s we have been sharing the gospel with, it would be good to cut spiritual ties with them. See Ungodly soul ties must be cut
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 ESV Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
9. Don’t give up hope even if initially rejected
Let us not feel defeated or discouraged if when people turn down our offer to accept Jesus into their lives. We can continue to share our lives, maintain good peaceful relationships, and patiently wait for the next opportunity. Some seeds that are planted take longer to show results.
John 15:18,20 ESV “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
10. Forgive others for their hatred or curses
If we are verbally abused or persecuted because of our faith, it is important that we follow Jesus’ example and forgive people for their actions and words “for they know not what they do”. Jesus has already warned us to expect to be hated for following Him.
Luke 23:34 ESV And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Luke 21:17 ESV You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
We too used to live in darkness, so let us not despise anyone for their present state of spiritual ignorance. Just as other believers were patient and faithful in following up with us, let us not give up hope and pay it forward to others.
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