We talk a lot about sharing our faith with someone, and trying to convince people that Jesus is Lord and Savior. But practically, what do we say to these people? How do we guide the conversation when people are searching for faith? Maybe even more importantly, what do we do and say when someone thinks they are already saved (or going to Heaven) but it’s clear they are not? I want to put together a brief guide here to help in these conversations. We’ll look at three passages of Scripture to help when someone is not saved, and then three passages to help someone when they think they are saved. Lastly, I want to tie this all together by showing people we need Jesus as Lord and Savior, otherwise we’ve missed the Gospel.
When Someone is Not Saved:
When you find yourself sharing your faith with someone who is not saved, and knows it, you should use these passages to help in your conversations: Galatians 5:16-26, John 3:16, and Romans 3:23.
In Galatians 5:16-26, we see the fruits of the Spirit, and the fruits of the Flesh. Paul lists out the outworkings of our faith, while also listing out what the flesh will produce. When speaking to someone who is searching for faith, read through these lists. “Do you see yourself more in this category, or that category” I would ask. “If you truly want to live a life of love, joy, peace, etc… than you must accept Jesus in your life.” My aim also is to get a sense of where they are in their life’s journey. If they point to the fruits of the flesh and say “I see myself constantly living a life of rage and anger,” then I have a better starting point on how to better speak with them.
In John 3:16, the most famous verse from the Bible, I’m showing this person the Gospel simplified. Regardless of how many fruits of the flesh you possess, Jesus still has died for you, and if you believe in Him, He will save you from these things. You will possess the gift of eternal life, and be united with Him in Heaven one day. It’s the good news!
In Romans 3:23, I am answering the question (whether spoken or unspoken) of “well why do I need to believe anyways?” Because, all of us have fallen short of God’s glory and standard. All of us are in desperate need of a Lord and Savior in the person of Jesus Christ. I may also bring in Romans 5:8 and say how all of us are deserving of death, yet Jesus offers us life.
Overall, I may reorder these passages to fit the conversation more naturally, but in Gospel centered conversations, I am trying to hammer home the point that our sin causes us to live a life different than what God demands. We deserve death for our sins against God, but ultimately God loves the world and sent Jesus to save us.
Someone Thinks They Are Saved:
When I come across someone who claims to be a Christian, but lives a life that obviously tells me they aren’t, or someone who is not a Christian but thinks they are going to Heaven anyways (based on works, or karma, or whatever) I try to use these passage in order to show a true Christian is marked by action: James 2:17-26, Romans 10:9 and Acts 16:31, and John 14:6
In James 2:17-26, I am trying to show this person that although they may think they are saved, true saving faith is proven by godly works. We cannot just say we are a Christian anymore than I can say I play basketball for the Sacramento Kings. It is proven by works/actions, not just by words. I say I play for the Kings, but take me to the court and you’ll see I have no basketball prowess. Likewise, this person says they are saved, yet seeing them live their life proves the contrary. We want people to understand that nominal Christianity is not a thing, and you either need to be hot or cold for Jesus. I may even boldly, yet gently, say “You claim to be a Christian, but I see no fruit of the Spirit or works in your life. Nothing about you from the outside would give off the impression you believe in Jesus. Does that concern you?”
In Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9, I’m really focusing in on how Paul says we are saved. If someone tells me they are going to Heaven because their parents are Christian, or because they were baptized and/or grew up in the church, then I follow up with this verse. I may say “I hear you, but have you ever actually professed Jesus as Lord and Savior with your mouth? Do you actually believe that Jesus lived and died for you?” If they’ve never actually made a profession of faith, internal or external, I begin walking through what that looks like. While saying the right words in a “confession” does not save you in of itself, it does give people the means to communicate and/or articulate their belief.
Lastly, with John 14:6, as with the above example too, I am hoping to explain that your faith in Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Not your parents’s faith, not your church attendance or baptism record, but your belief in Jesus. Good works mean nothing apart from Christ. You have to come face-to-face with Jesus and confront the reality of who He is in order to get into Heaven.
Overall, I want someone who thinks they’re saved to see that you can’t just “name it and claim it.” True, saving faith in Jesus Christ means you are living a life completely different from the world, and have made a confession of some sorts on the Lordship of Christ. If you’ve never experienced that change, then it’s time to have the difficult discussion on if you are truly saved or not.
Lord and Savior
In the end of all these conversations, I want people to accept Jesus and Lord and Savior. To truly be a Christians means we believe and submit to Jesus as Lord. Meaning, I obey His commands, I perform good works under His name, and I “go and sin no more.” I recognize Him as the Lord (or Ruler) of my life. To truly be a Christian means we also believe and submit to Jesus as Savior. We understand that no longer am I dead to sin, but I am alive in Christ. My sins are forgiven, and I am a new creation. Jesus saved me from sin and death!
These two titles of Jesus are what the Gospel calls us to submit to. Jesus is many things, but He ultimately is my Lord and Savior. From that, my life will forever be changed for the better. In any and all gospel centered conversations, my goal is for people to take serious spiritual inventory of their lives, and to face the reality before them. Do you truly believe? Are you submitting to Jesus and living a life that backs that claim up?
I hope so. I pray so.
North Bullitt Christian Church 