There are a myriad of gospel truths in the Bible. Yet only one gospel truth is presented as the truth that people must believe in order to receive eternal life.
But realistically, if someone knowing absolutely nothing about God, or Jesus, or sin, or eternal life, then what are the chances that someone will believe in Jesus if you tell them “Hey, you can have eternal life if you believe in Jesus for it”?
I would say the chances are close to zero.
This is one reason why there are so many other truths in the gospel. Many of the gospel truths are there, not so that people are required to believe them in order to receive eternal life, but because they help a person get to the point where they do believe in Jesus for eternal life.
I call these the Preparation Truths of the Gospel
7 Gospel Preparation Truths
There are potentially thousands of preparation truths in the gospel, but I have found that seven of these truths tend to be the most effective and necessary in helping a person come to the place where they believe in Jesus for eternal life.
Here are these seven preparation truths:
- There is a God (and He looks like Jesus)
- The Bible is God’s Word (so we can look to it for guidance)
- God Made Humans (so we are responsible to him in some way)
- God requires holiness (this is His standard)
- All have sinned (and fallen short of the standard)
- Sin results in separation from God (we separate from Him; not vice versa)
- Jesus delivered us from sin, death, and separation (due to grace and forgiveness)
IF a person believes all seven of these truths, it is nearly certain that they will also believe in Jesus for eternal life.
Now is it possible to take a person from knowing none of this to believing in Jesus in one 5-minute conversation? I highly doubt it.
This is why evangelism often takes place over the course of months and years, through relationship building and numerous conversations. Often, these seven truths are caught, not taught, as our friends observe us living out these truths in our own lives. And usually, despite how neat and tidy that seven-pointed list is above, the conversations are never that focused or that tidy.
But that’s okay, for that is what relationship-building is all about.
But what about the rest of the gospel?
Once a person believes, this does not mean that the gospel conversations are over. There are still lots of gospel truths left. What are we to do with these? It is this question that we will look at in next week’s post.
For now, what do you think about these seven “Preparation truths”? Are there others you have found helpful when you have conversations about Jesus with other people?
Also, if you want a better explanation of those seven truths, I delve into each one a little more deeply in my course, the Gospel According to Scripture.
Want to learn more about the gospel? Take my new course, "The Gospel According to Scripture."
The entire course is free for those who join my online Discipleship group here on RedeemingGod.com. I can't wait to see you inside the course!
I believe that Jesus is responsible from beginning to end. He opens our minds so that we can come to accept Him. Just as some can hear the Gospel, yet not believe, some who are “uneducated” according to the world’s standards gladly rejoice at a smattering of the good news.
Some are in the “barley” harvest, some in the “wheat” harvest and some are in the later “grape” harvest – each accordingly as Jesus wills.
Jesus does what He wants, when He wants and how He wants. None will be lost – He said so.
Hi Nizam,
I am curious; where is the freedom to choose found in your view?
Hi Debra,
Thanks for your gracious response. Since there is no short answer to your query, I would like to point you to resources that may be of value to you.
You can read Julie Ferwerda”s book “Raising Hell” (PDF) for free. Also, Brazen Church’s [nexuschurch.com] “Putting Hell Back In The Handbasket” may interest you.
Thanks for the alert to the resources Nizam. However, they are not the reason for my question. I was genuinely interested in hearing what you had to say because, at face value, your post does not appear to accommodate our freedom to choose.
Love your simple approach! I’m so much in a different place than so many of my Christian friends. Building relationship and loving your neighbor really arethe foundation to salvation!
I hope it simplifies things a bit. I think when we have “checklist” of things we MUST get through in the first conversation with someone, the conversation is fake and people sense that, which makes it nearly impossible to have another conversation with them or build a friendship.
Jeremy,
I love this statement, “Often, these seven truths are caught, not taught, as our friends observe us living out these truths in our own lives.” Authentic relationships take time to build. By taking that time we are better able to discern the need and meet it. Sometimes it is giving a great big hug to someone that speaks louder than any words we may speak.
Yes, they do take time. If we recognize that the Spirit is at work in the other person’s life, then we can try to be sensitive to what the other person is thinking, feeling, and asking and respond to that, rather than come at them with our own agenda. And as you say, love and service go a LONG way in building friendships.
I wish I was a better hugger… my wife is teaching me. But my teen boys definitely need more hugs from me… and prob. a few less words! 🙂
Jeremy. I think that what you say is spot on.
I say that, because for many years I was a member of a group that did street ” evangelism ” every Sunday night. They sang gospel songs, prayed, had preachers etc and the result after 40 years that I knew them was pretty much a zero impact.
Sometimes people used to come around to listen but no person from the evangelising group ever went over to engage any listener in conversation.
I tried it ( talking to passers by ) but I was too inexperienced and also got no support or encouragement from the others so I gave up.
These days I have a friend who engages people in accepting relationships and he has had a number of times when those he has encountered have come to faith in Christ. So now I am learning from him as well as learning from Jesus’ example and the information that you give on this site. As well of course I am working to develop the character of the citizen of the Kingdom according to scripture.
Just a bit off the thread maybe. I notice that you say that number one preparation approach is ” There is a God (and He looks like Jesus)”
I find this so difficult because as I look around I see a supposedly portrait image of Jesus that has been around for centuries and which I am sure is not only ,not like Jesus, but is very misleading. A simpering, Greco/Roman, long haired, doleful looking face taken from pagan mythology.
I know that you mean the character and nature of Jesus looks like the character and nature of God. But this pervasive “picture” of Jesus could be a big stumbling block to introducing Jesus. I can give explanations but the problem is difficult.
I hope you know what I mean.
Yes, I know what you mean. I probably should have been more clear with my statement. Yes, God does not look like that image of Jesus…. I am only referring to the temperament, character qualities, and attributes of Jesus. This is what God is like. Thanks for the clarification.
Neville since Jesus lives in you you may be the only Jesus people in the street get to know.Its his influence in us that has impact not a theoretic ideal of who Jesus is.Our identity is in Christ therefore we are like him or as paul said we are living epistles like a living bible that people can see who Jesus is.Just be yourself and reach out to others because you want them to know who Christ is like the woman at the well if they only knew him they would drink of the living waters you have tasted and so you know its in that experience that we can share or testify what he has done for us.brentnz
Yes, that is right! We are the hands and feet and voice of Jesus to other people. So we can just be ourselves and be natural and loving and friendly. We don’t need to try to be someone else or spout out an unnatural list of spiritual laws or 10 steps or any such thing. Excellent point!
The other thought i had on this is that if we follow Jesus he will make us fishers of men we need guidance by the holy spirit to lead us to the right people to share our faith.I can still remember those days of people preaching in the streets I am not certain whether that method was effective.
Bethell Church do what is called treasure hunting they spend time in prayer seeking the Lord for people to pray for and witness to so someone might get a location ie a park or mall someone else will get a picture of a person in a blue sweater and they just go out looking for that person with the intention of witnessing to them and quite often those people do have a need and they can help them. brentnz