Jesus gave us an example of speaking to others about things that interested them. When He was with farmers, He spoke in parables about the soil. (See Matthew 13:3–8, 24–32.)
We should likewise adapt our speech to the people with whom we are dealing. Talk about subjects in which they are interested. Get them to express themselves; do not do all of the talking. By your tone of voice and words, show a real interest in them.
The art of knowing where, how, when, and what to converse is the height of personal work efficiency. We may possess a knowledge of the Word of God, but if we lack wisdom, our efforts will be of no influence or real benefit.
By the grace of God, we should strive to attain to the highest possible quality of speech that will build for eternity. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10.)
BE TACTFUL IN YOUR APPROACH
It is very important to have tact in your approach, but in your desire to use tact, do not neglect the introduction of the subject of salvation.
Be prayerful in your approach. Pray silently before you speak.
Be sympathetic. Never have a “holier than thou” attitude. Even with those who have gone into deep sin, as we call it, we can truly say and feel, “Did not God have great love to send His Son into the world to die for sinners like you and me?”
Be patient but persistent. You are dealing with a soul whose destiny is at stake.
These are they who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15 DBY)
Do not be discouraged. It is Satan’s greatest tool in personal work.
Know that you are sowing the seed, the Word of God. It will bring forth fruit. Remember, God has said, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
When Satan even whispers, “It’s no use to speak to that person; it won’t do any good,” remember Isaiah 33:6: “Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.”
DECISION TIME
There is a time of sowing, but remember, the decision you bring forth is the reaping time. If you do not give one the chance to decide, you are often missing a chance to win a soul.
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)
You will find these Scriptures to be invaluable. When they become a living reality in your life, you can use them with confidence and assurance.
We have the one who wants to make the decision act on Romans 10:9. Before you have them repeat this verse, you must explain each part.
Give them Acts 2:36 and Hebrews 2:14. Show them that man’s need can only be met by the lordship of Christ over his life.
Give them Colossians 1:13 (DBY): “Who has delivered us from the authority of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.”
You see, the only way to salvation is to confess this new lordship of Christ. Hitherto everyone has been under the lordship of Satan. Have them confess in words, “I take Christ as my Savior and Lord.”
Then you show them that righteousness has been purchased by Christ for all.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
When a man confesses this lordship, he receives this nature of God, His righteousness. You have him say, “I believe that God has raised Christ from the dead.” When Christ arose, everyone was justified. Then by all means, have him clinch the matter by saying, “I know God saves me now.”
Many who have been seeking salvation for years have never made this last statement, and they are still only hoping they are saved.
How sad it is to see the lack of understanding there is of the new birth. One can only have the new birth by confession of Christ as their Savior. It is necessary to believe they are saved the moment they do this.
I can hear someone say, “But you make it too easy.”
Well, what works can a spiritually dead man do to make the redemptive work of Christ more complete? No, it is not what we do in the line of penance or repentance that will give us the power to become children of God. (See John 1:12.)
THE KIND OF CHRISTIAN
It is quite a significant fact that whatever you tell of what you are enjoying in Christ, the one you lead to Christ will try to receive. In other words, the men and women you lead to Christ will be the kind of a Christian you are.
That is why God has placed in missions those who have been delivered from bad habits, so they can lead men to accept this freedom from Satan’s bondage, or be delivered from drug habit, drinking habit, or another addiction.
I know a woman who had made Christ her burden bearer. One day, she had the opportunity to lead a man to Christ who had many burdens in his home to bear. A week later, she saw the man and his face was just glowing. He said, “I just haven’t had a care since I took Christ as my Savior. I have been as a little child, free from all worry.”
RIGHTLY DIVIDING
Study to shew thyself approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Some Scriptures are written to spiritually dead men, and some to children of God.
Take for instance, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). This is not written for Christians, yet it is often applied to them, keeping men and women from taking their places without condemnation before God. (See Romans 8:1.) They then feel too unworthy to bear fruit. The greatest fruit you can bear is prayer. No one comes to God under condemnation and believes he has his petition. God can only work on the law of faith.
Here is another Scripture that is often misused:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
This is written to Christians, not to the unsaved. Yet, many tracts quote it, saying you must confess every sin you have committed before you can be saved. Those sins were laid on Christ; they have been remitted, blotted out. You could not remember all your sins anyway, but if you could, it would not change the case. Nothing you can do before you accept Christ will change the fact that all your iniquities were laid upon Him. (See Isaiah 53:6.)
But to the Christian, we are admonished to search our hearts daily to see if we have sinned and to confess our sins so we may be cleansed daily from all unrighteousness.
This is a wonderful Scripture to give to the babes in Christ. They will make many mistakes while their minds are being renewed by the Word, and they need to know there is a provision made to keep them in fellowship.
QUESTIONS
- What can we learn from studying the way Jesus approached people?
- Give three necessary characteristics in winning souls to Christ.
- Explain Romans 10:9 as you would explain it to the unsaved.
- What in your life will influence the new convert?
- Give two Scriptures that are often given to the wrong class. Explain.