Never Assume

Christians tend to speak their own language. Those of us who were raised in fundamental denominations use terms such as “washed in the blood” that makes perfect sense to us, but is a foreign term to those we are trying to reach for Christ.

This point was driven home to me several years ago when I accompanied a friend to witness to someone. The man we visited was a mutual friend. We were both aware that, although he was a good person, he did not know Christ as his savior. He was facing surgery for a terminal physical condition. We realized that this would probably be our only opportunity to reach him.

We began to tell him about Gods love, and his plan for salvation. The excitement was evident in his facial expression. When we finished laying out the gospel for him, he began to speak. I was floored by his response!

To paraphrase his words, he said that he had always wanted what Christians had. He did not think he was good enough to be accepted by God. We explained to him that none of us are good enough to be accepted by God. We showed him the scripture in the Bible that explained that salvation was a gift, and could not be earned.

My friend asked him “Do you wash your hands before taking a shower?” With a confused expression, he said “no” “Neither do we clean up a few things in our life in order to be accepted by God” my friend explained. I interjected that “the Bible teaches us that God is no respecter of persons. God loves you just as much as he loves me. He loves your soul as much as he loves Billy Graham’s”

He readily accepted Christ, merely a few weeks before meeting him face to face. I was thrilled with his decision, but at the same time very concerned.

I had never realized that I was taking so much for granted. Being raised in Church and becoming a Christian at a very young age, I assumed that certain principals were understood. The incident taught me to never assume that others understand basic principles of the gospel. It also made me wonder just how many people have passed into eternity lost, simply because no one took the time to explain the gospel to them.

Christians are faced with an awesome responsibility of reaching others. Sometimes it can be as simple as starting a conversation with them without any preconceived notions. We never know just how close someone is to accepting Christ, so don’t assume someone is unreachable.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.