Key to Evangelism

The Key to Evangelism is the exaltation of Jesus Christ. So why do so many people expend energy toward sharing a "fail-safe" message that meets a human standard or expectation. To be clear, I'm thinking about the sinners prayer. In these days, the sinner's prayer is practically a holy grail. Lifted up high and to a religious "don't touch that one" status.

But why not examine our ways of doing evangelism? Scripture tells us to examine ourselves in order to see if we are living in the way (2 Corinthians 13: 5).

Take a closer look. Have you ever thought "if you just say these words of the sinners prayer, then you shall be saved." Yet rather than having any real power to save - which comes through Jesus Christ alone - these words were written by a modern day man and only provide fleeting comfort to the one trying to evangelize. For there is a real temptation placed upon every young evangelist to rely heavily upon these words alone and to enjoy the usefulness of this evangelistic tool simply because "success" is alluring.

In growing up into Christ, here is what I see:

1). The effective presentation of the sinner's prayer has become an objective means by which we - mere mortals - use to count our own achievements in performing this seemingly difficult task of evangelism. By example I will confess my own sin in this grievous way. For I have repeatedly thought "I have heard her say the sinner's prayer in my own hearing; I even led her in the prayer that day, therefore I have won one!" Plain and simple, this is our sinful nature rearing it's ugly head (as in pride) when we credit the winning of a precious soul to our own personal account. It's equivalent to sharing in God's glory that is due to him alone. And are we not told repeatedly, over and over, again and again, that salvation belongs to God. Yes! It is God who brings the growth, performs the miracle and does the good work.

2). The act of leading another person in the sinner's prayer such as saying "repeat after me" in parrot-like repetition causes the evangelist to instantly relax and be tempted to think "my work is finished" even though there still remains a great commission to go and make disciples. And the truth is there really is something more to be done such as walk in fellowship together and not send them out on their own (they are like baby birds needing protection, nourishment, and teaching on how to soar above the things of this world etc).

3). Any evangelistic training which relies on the sinner's prayer rather than the Holy Spirit to do his work is at risk for raising up ill-prepared evangelists. For they do not come prepared or armed with anything more. So the bottom line is this: it may be that a once useful tool has become a hindrance for us in cooperating with the creative work of the Spirit.

4). The thrust of our message should be a clarion call to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Our story is explaining God's original and perfect plan to make a people for himself, the greatness of his love by sending his only begotten Son as an atonement for sin, and the finished work of our redemption won through Christ's victory on the cross.

Therefore, take time to ask the Lord what he wants to do in and through you this day. Don't look back. Press forward. . . and let's together recommit ourselves to cling to the cross (not a mere earthly crutch) to help us do the work to which we have been called.

Go ahead now. Use your own words and I'll use mine . . . the words the Holy Spirit places on our individual hearts that he wants to hear.

The author's personal reminder note: There really is a big difference between pleading another to "just say the sinner's prayer and you'll be saved" and clearly speaking the truth, such as boldly proclaiming "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." It is Christ who saves and not a prayer.