When It's Good To Be Simple Minded

I have often heard christians say one of the hardest things to do is to witness to a lost person about Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15 we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

We do not need to be overly theological or try to impress someone with our knowledge of scripture in order to witness to a lost person on how to be saved. Salvation is a simple concept of belief. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." In addition to that, 1 Corinthians 14:33 states, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." Now by law of inverse, if God is not the author of confusion, Satan has to be the author of confusion and he has done a good job of it in regards to clouding this simple concept of salvation. In Proverbs 11:30 the Bible says, "He that wins souls is wise" and in Matthew 4:19 Jesus calls us to be "fishers of men".

Here are the key points that we should show a lost person we are attempting to witness to:

1) Establish the fact that all people are sinners.
A few scripture references if needed would be Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; and James 2:10

2) Establish the fact that the penalty for sin is death.
scripture references Romans 6:23 and Ezekiel 18:20

3) Establish the fact that we must be perfect to enter heaven.
scripture references Revalation 21:27; Habakkuk 1:13; and Psalm 5:4

4) Establish the fact that man can do nothing of himself to obtain this perfection.
scripture references Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16 and Romans 4:5

5) Show how God provided a sin-bearer and imputes to man His righteousness.
scripture references 2 Corinthians 5:21; Phillipians 3:9; Isaiah 53:6; and 1 Peter 3:18

6) Establish the fact that man needs only belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior for salvation.
scripture references John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12; and Acts 16:31

7) Establish the fact that man can be certain of his salvation now, and that his salvation cannot be lost because eternal life is eternal.
scripture references John 6:37-39; John 10:28; 1 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 10:10-14; and 1 John 5:13

Of course, there are no set steps in leading a person to Christ. This is a general plan that has proven very successful in actual practice, the emphasis being shifted from one point to another, depending upon the need of the particular individual. Repentance is not left out of the above steps, but is included with different wording. One of the counterfeits Satan is using today is the misuse of the word "repent." To insist upon repentance that in any sense includes a demand for a change of conduct either toward God or man is to add an element of works or human effort to faith. Penance is payment for sin. Penitence is sorrow for sin. Works and something of self is turning from sin. But repent (metanoeo) means a change of mind. Repentance in salvation means a change of mind from any idea of religion that man might have and accepting God's way of salvation. Man's great need is to understand God's way of salvation and to accept His sacrifice. Nowhere does the Scripture use the phrase "repent of sin" to be saved. Scripture says in Acts 20:21, "repentance toward God" (change of mind), and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, back to the initial scripture verse in 1 Peter 3:15 and notice the last 3 words.. (meekness and fear) "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

We should always present the Gospel message to the lost person in a gentle and humble manner. We are to talk to them, not down to them or at them. In this verse, fear does not mean we should be afraid to witness but the word fear here is used in the sense of respect and honor. The Bible says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are representing God when we witness to the lost soul and how we treat them will reflect either negatively or positively on God. Also, we will ultimately have to give an account to God how we witness to the lost (or worst yet, how we didn't witness to the lost) so we need to do this carefully, positively and truthfully. The Bible says "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" .. this includes witnessing.

What if we do not warn the lost? Is there a penalty? Paul says, "Woe (judgment) is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (I Corinthians 9:16)." The believer will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11-15) and will be held responsible for not giving the gospel. According to Ezekiel God will hold believers responsible for telling unbelievers how to be saved, (Romans 1:14-16).

Ok so you say, but what if they do not accept the gospel? God says we are no longer responsible once we have told them. "Yet if thou warn the wicked (the unbeliever), and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way (his way of salvation), he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:19)."

If you are afraid to witness to someone your own age, then why not lead a child to the Lord? Why not invite someone to a church service where they will hear the gospel? Give out clear gospel tracts. Explain the gospel in a letter. Pray for God's courage and wisdom. God will bless you as you obey Him.

So let's keep things simple and as Joe Friday used to say let's present "Just the facts". If we try to make things too complicated we will end up turning the person away from God and not towards God. Don't let fear keep you from witnessing either, just keep it real and above all else... keep it simple.