An A, B Conversation: How To Evangelize

A: Where do you suppose you will go when you die?

B: Well, I don’t know. I’m hoping I’m going to heaven.

A: You’re hoping to go to heaven? You don’t know for certain?

B: Nah, I don’t think anyone can know for certain.

A: Not true. 1 John 5:13 tells us that we can know that we have eternal life. So, wouldn’t you like to be certain?

B: Well, yeah. But, I’m not even sure there is a God. I mean, who can say, right?

A: Well, the Bible tells us that the complexity and majesty of creation bears witness that there is indeed a God, Psalm 19:1-2, and that God’s character, power and divine nature can be clearly seen and understood through His creation, leaving all of us without excuse. Romans 1:20. Given the intricacy and complexity of life on this planet, wouldn’t you say that’s a pretty good indication that there is a God?

B: Yeah, I suppose. I’ll admit, certainly find it easier to believe that than to believe all this happened by chance.

A: So, there is a God and there will come a day when He is going to take a close look at your life in order to ascertain whether you are deserving of a place in heaven or hell, Revelation 20:12, Hebrews 9:27. And being that He is a perfectly righteous judge, Psalm 7:11, Jeremiah 11:20, He will have no choice but to hand down a verdict that is befitting to your conduct. So, I will ask you again; where do you suppose you will go when you die.

B: Well, I’m a good person. I think God will recognize that.

A: But, the Bible tells us that none of us are good, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23. Certainly not as good as God requires us to be if we intend to go to heaven; He demands perfection, Leviticus 11:44.

B: Well, I may not be perfect, but I’ve got a good heart. I’m sure God will take that into consideration.

A: If God is going to judge us by our hearts, we are all in trouble. God says that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19. That doesn’t sound like it would bode too well for you in God’s court room.

B: Well, doesn’t the Bible say all I have to do is believe?

A: In Acts 16:31, it says. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”. But the belief spoken of in that passage is not just a belief that God exists. The demons believe that, James 2:19, but I think you would agree that they are not saved, right?

B: Yeah, I guess. But, I do more good things than bad. I think God takes that into account.

A: Well, let me ask you this; have you ever told a lie?

B: Of course, we all have.

A: Have you ever used God’s or Jesus’ name in a cuss word?

B: I try not to, but yeah. Sometimes it slips out.

A: Have you ever looked at another person and lusted after that person sexually?

B: Well… yeah, I guess I have. But, that’s only human nature, right?

A: Have you ever stolen anything?

B: Once again, I think we can all say we’re guilty of stealing in one form or another. I’m no different there than anyone else.

A: Now, in 1 John 3:15, the Bible says that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer in God’s eyes. Would it be safe to say that at one or more times in your life, you felt hatred towards another person?

B: Probably so, yeah.

A: So, by your own admittance, you are a lying, thieving, lustful, blaspheming murderer. And in front of a righteous God as your judge on the Day of Judgment, you will most certainly be found guilty, no matter how good a person you think you are or try to be. You can say that your good deeds out-number your bad, but that sort defense wouldn’t work in an earthly court of law, let alone in God’s courtroom where you have to be found completely free of sin to avoid punishment, right?

B: I guess so.

A: It looks bad, I know. It looks bad for all of us, because as you said yourself, we are all guilty of those things, aren’t we?

But, here’s the good news. If we do what God commands us to do to become saved, then on the Day of Judgment, there will be no sins for us to answer for because Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sins and they have not only been forgiven, but forgotten, Colossians 2:13-14, Romans 3:24, Hebrews 8:12, Isaiah 43:25

B: Ok, well… what do I need to do to be saved?

A: You were on the right track when you said believing is part of it. But the belief you need to have is made up of many different parts.

First of all, you need to believe that you are a sinner, Romans 3:23 and that your sins separate you from God, Isaiah 59:2. You also need to believe that Jesus is God, John 1:1 and the Son of God, Matthew 3:17 and that He was born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-23, led a sinless life on earth and died for your sins, 1 John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Lastly, you must believe that Christ rose from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Psalm 16:10 and sits at the right hand of God and intercedes on our behalf, Romans 8:34.

Believing also means that you have decided to trust God, Proverbs 3:5, James 4:7 and have faith that He can be trusted to govern every aspect of your life, Romans 15:13. This is essential, because it is your faith – along with God’s grace, that saves you, Ephesians 2:8.

The next thing you must do is confess your sins to the Lord and ask that those sins be forgiven; covered by the blood that Christ shed for you on the cross, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:5.

Lastly, you must repent of your sins and your sinful nature; making a conscious decision to give up your old way of life for a new one in Christ, Jesus, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3.

If you do these things, Christ will immediately begin His saving work in you, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Keep in mind, however, that we must be certain our conversion was a true one, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 5:13. A truly converted person will continue to seek after God and His truth, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 8:17, 1 Chronicles 16:11. Also, a truly converted person will continually check the mileposts of his Christian walk, which are the fruits of the Spirit, Matthew 7:17-18, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:8-11. We need to be certain of all these things; especially with a matter as weighty as our own salvation.