"What must I do to be saved," cried the Philippian jailer, as death knocked at his door (Acts 16:30). That's the question that everyone should ask. That's the question upon which destiny hinges. Many people I speak to think their destiny will be heaven, but when I ask them how they know for sure, they often give answers that clearly reveal they do not know The Truth about The Way to The Life (John 14). That's why it's so critical not to assume people know but to care enough to ask the deeper questions.
Me and friend prayed this morning that God would bring across our path people who needed to hear the gospel and that their hearts would be open and receptive. He answered.
As we walked out of the coffee shop and into the sprinkling rain, along walked a young man. I handed him an Obama Million Dollar Bill gospel tract and asked him if he'd received his stimulus money yet. He laughed, smiled, and took the free gift that I had offered.
"My name's Chris," I said warmly, "what's yours?" "Jamie," he said. "Great to meet you, Jamie." I then explained to him that the bill was a gospel tract and asked him if he had a church background. He said he attended a major denomination that I will keep nameless, because the particular denomination doesn't really matter. What matters is that he attended a church that is part of a major denomination whose found was one of the most prolific evangelists of his day.
I asked Jamie if he knew where he would go when he dies. "Heaven," he replied with little hesitation. "Really. That's wonderful," I responded. "Do you mind if I ask you how you know for sure?" "No," he said, "I don't mind." "I pray to Him just about every day," he answered. "And I try to live a good life," he added.
I then asked politely, "If what you believe about how to get to heaven weren't true, would you want to know?" This question helps me discern if the person is really open to the gospel. "Yes," Jamie said.
I then walked Jamie through the gospel, using the Way of the Master approach. He admitted that if Judged by God's perfect moral standard summarized in the 10 Commandments as explained by Jesus that he would be found guilty and his destiny would be hell. I then explained the gospel to him and helped him understand what Jesus said a person must do in order to be born again and saved with full assurance of one's eternal destiny (Mk. 1:15; John 3; 1 John 5:11-13). Jamie confirmed that he had in fact repented of his sins and was trusting in Jesus Christ alone as his savior. We then encouraged Jamie to follow the Lord by spending time in the word each day (John 8:31-32) and by "fishing" for men (Matt. 4:19).
Jamie originally thought that his prayer life would assure him of heaven. Jesus taught, however, that our prayers alone may not be enough unless they consist of crying out to mercy from God for salvation (Luke 18:11-14). And none of our "righteous" deeds, like going to church regularly, will be good enough to earn us right standing with God (Is. 64:6). Now, Jamie understands The Truth about The Way to The Life eternal with the Father--repentance and belief in the sole source of God's saving grace--Jesus Christ (Mk. 1:15; John 3; 1 Jn. 5:11-13).
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