Archive for: salvation
Terminology matters. Use of the wrong terms can cause misunderstanding, especially if terms are not explained. Reader’s Digest once told of a German exchange student staying with a family in Illinois. The student was invited to an alcohol free prom party. So his host family faxed his parents in Germany asking permission for their son to attend. A quick response came, “No. We do not want our son attending any party where free alcohol is served.”
Terminology is important in spiritual matters as well. Nowhere is it more important than inviting people to come to Christ.
That’s why we must be careful when we tell the lost to, “accept Christ.” The problem is they might do it! The problem is they may accept Christ the way you accept me or I accept you – as no more than a person. A non-Christian who came to Christ in one of our outreaches said to me, “Years ago I accepted Christ. I felt he was the person He said He was and if I lived as good as He lived, I would go to heaven. I never knew eternal life is free and I had to trust Christ alone to save me.” To that testimony, I could add countless more.
“Wait a minute,” you might say, “doesn’t the Bible tell us to “accept Christ?” Yes – in one verse. Let’s look at that verse carefully.
John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” “Received” would have the idea “accept”. How though do you “accept Him”? The last part of the verse explains, “To those who believe in His name.” You accept Christ by believing, i.e. trusting Christ alone as your only way to heaven.
When John talked about “accepting or receiving Christ,” be made it clear to accept Christ means to trust in Christ alone as your only way to heaven.
Conclusion? Ask people to do what the Gospel of John ask lost people to do – believe – that means trust in Christ alone to save them. If you use the phrase “accept Christ,” be sure to explain it the way the Gospel of John does.
Remember – terminology matters. Nowhere does it matter more than explaining to people how to receive the gift of eternal life.
John 4 reveals that three people are involved in evangelism… the non-believer, the believer, and God. Let’s look at the second of these roles – God:
God – He is the One who goes before you with you and after you in evangelism.
The Scriptures describe Him this way:
Draws us to Himself – John 6:44
“No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him”
Giver of new life – 1 Corinthians 3:6
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”
Sender of disciples – Matthew 28:18-19
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”
Desires all to be saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Diligent to convict – John 16:8
“And when he comes He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.”
Evangelism works because God is intimately involved convicting, pursuing, sending, drawing, and giving. He is the One who has the compassion and is moved to action on behalf of His creation.
Each generation of people has a two-fold responsibility. One is to reach its own generation. The second is to prepare the next generation to reach their peers. In so doing, not only does each person leave a legacy behind them, but their lives count for something eternal.
What happens if we don’t? Studies show that as few as 4% of children born after 1984 are trusting Christ as their Savior. We risk an entire generation missing out on the goodness of God’s grace.
That is one reason we are committed to reaching children. If we reach them for Christ, they in turn will reach their children. But in reaching and training the next generation, a clear gospel must be at the center of that training.
Let’s equip the next generation. Years after we enter His presence, the impact of our lives will continue on earth. That impact will surround one thing – the clear message of the gospel of grace.
R. Larry Moyer
How many adults grow up doubting their salvation because of an unclear gospel presentation as a child? Only the Lord knows for sure, but if you spend any time walking closely alongside other Christians you will run into many who say “I know I had some kind of spiritual experience when I was a child, but I’m not quite sure what happened.”
Doubt about salvation can stunt spiritual growth and often prevents a person from getting involved in evangelism. After all, how can you lead a person to Christ when you are unsure of your own eternity?
That’s why it is critical that we make the gospel clear when leading children to Christ. We do not need to demand or coerce, – but should simply explain the gospel in a way that a child knows exactly what he must do to have eternal life with God.
When sharing the gospel with children remember to:
Pray: The Holy Spirit will guide you in a one-on-one conversation with the child.
Make the gospel clear: Explain that Christ took the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross and on the third day He rose from the dead. Then explain that we can only be saved by trusting in Christ alone.
Ask the child questions to discern his understanding: “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” “Why do we need a savior?”
Assure a new believer of his eternal security using Scripture: John 5:24 says that whoever hears and believes has eternal life!
Let’s leave a legacy. Let’s make an impact on future generations by sharing the gospel with children clearly and simply.
Several years ago a mission’s team organized a weeklong backyard Bible club for kids. At the end of the week, the kids were gathered together to hear the final version of John 3:16. The group presentation was evangelistic and included all the essential elements of the gospel. At the end of the lesson the teacher asked the children, “If you would like to trust Christ right now, just raise your hand.” Some of the children raised their hand immediately while others did after looking around. In the end, every child in attendance raised their hand in response to the invitation.
How many of those decisions were genuine? How could we possibly know?
Here are some key things to keep in mind whenever sharing the gospel message in a group setting:
Keep the presentation simple, clear and biblically accurate to avoid confusion.
Never let a physical action (raising a hand, standing up, praying a prayer, walking an aisle) be confused as part of salvation for the child. Coming forward to talk to an adult is appropriate but make it clear to the child that it is a way to find out more – it is not how he is saved.
Do not lead the children in a group prayer of salvation. This may lead some to believe that the prayer has the power to save.
Give the children specific directions on who can help them if they want to learn more. Also, tell them specifically when they can talk to that person and where to find him/her.
If you are a designated counselor to receive kids who respond to a presentation, remember to first establish why a child is coming to talk to you. Your first question is: “Why did you come to talk to me?”
Present the gospel to children on a regular basis. Do it often – individually and in groups. Remember: group presentations should always be followed up with one-on-one interactions with children who respond.
Many children question their salvation because they doubt the validity of an “experience” they had when they were younger. It may have been walking down an aisle, talking to a counselor, or some other action. As the child grows, he looks back and begins to wonder if he understood what he was doing or whether he was sincere.
When he goes to his parents for help, they may compound the problem by reminding him of what he did and even assuring him that he was sincere. The problem is that what seems clear in their minds is still not clear in his. Children should not base their assurance on their parents’ memory.
To help children, parents would be wise to guide their child in finding biblical answers to two questions. The first is, “Do you now understand the gospel?” Discuss with the child whether he now understands that Christ took the punishment for his sins, died on the cross, and arose from the grave.
The second question is, “Right now, are you depending on Christ alone to get you into heaven?” Jesus says, “He that believes in me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). God is not concerned about the date that happened. If anyone is depending on Christ as his only way to heaven, he is a child of God regardless of the date that eternal transaction took place. A child’s trust should be in Christ alone, not in a date or action from their past.
