There are all sorts of different kinds of bait that we use in order to lure the fish in. We talk about relevant issues with those we intend to share the gospel with, such as evolution, end times prophecy, hypocrites in the church, the historical accuracy of Scripture, false religions, and so on. While it is important for us to be knowledgeable in these areas, and be able to articulate our position in a way that makes sense, we should also be careful that we don’t get stuck there, because although these are legitimate subjects for a non-believer to have concerns with, they have a tendency to get us caught in endless arguments and rabbit trails.
What I usually try to do is briefly address these types of issues and move out of the realm of the intellect and go straight for the conscience. Don’t misunderstand me. People deserve to have their questions answered, but I have found that even after an extensive discussion, when more than enough evidence has been given to support a Biblical answer, it turns out that many people aren’t really looking for answers, but rather, they are looking for smokescreens to avoid the uncomfortable position of having to submit to the authority of God. As soon as you have proved one point, immediately you are asked another question. “Well what about this, or what about that?” All of them intended not to genuinely seek out the truth, but to find a way to stump you so they can somehow justify to themselves their hostility towards God and the gospel. Although I try to give good answers to people’s questions and objections, I make sure I don’t stay there because if I do, I am missing the target.
If I can disprove evolution, so what? He’s still in his sins. If I can make him understand end times prophecy, so what? Understanding this will not save him. Believing that the Bible is infallible will not save him. Finding out that his false religion is a hoax will not save him either. Although, like I said, these are legitimate (and important) issues, they are merely the bait we use to lure them in so we can share the gospel with them. Finding out the truth about these things may lead to a revelation about who God is, and thus open their minds to the gospel, but they are not the gospel. Remember to hit the target.
What is it we are aiming for? It is repentance towards God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.(Acts 17:30 20:21) It is only an understanding of one’s own sin that leads to repentance, without which, no one can be saved(Luke 13). How can a man repent if he doesn’t know what sin is? The apostle Paul said, “I had not known sin, but by the law”(Romans 7:7). 1John 3:4 gives us the Biblical definition of sin. “Sin is transgression of the law.” Do we thump people over the head with the law? No! 1Timothy 1:8 says that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, for the purpose for which it was designed. What is that purpose? To be the schoolmaster which leads us to Christ.(Gal 3:24) We gently use the law of God to bring the knowledge of sin, at which point we reveal the good news of the gospel that God has provided a Savior in Jesus Christ. How can anyone appreciate the cross if they don’t realize that it was their sin that Jesus was paying for? It is the law that teaches us that we need a Savior.
You see, there is a big difference between what the gospel is and what the world thinks it is. Let me break it down for you. Most of America thinks that you believe they are going to hell because they haven’t accepted Jesus. They have a right to be offended by that sort of message. Let me explain why. If the police pulled you over and just began to handcuff you and throw you into the backseat of the patrol car, while telling you that you’re going to jail for a long time, you would no doubt demand to know why. But if they pulled you over and said, “You were just speeding at 60 mph through an area restricted to 5 mph for a disabled children’s convention. A mother and son were injured as they avoided being struck by your vehicle. You’re in bug trouble!” Now you can understand the handcuffs.
In the same way, people are offended when we suggest they are going to hell when as far as they are concerned, they are just as good as anyone else, including you. Proverbs tells us that every man will proclaim his own goodness, and I can tell you that its true. This is why it is so important that we use the law to bring the knowledge of sin so they can see themselves in truth and repent. The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Prov 16:5, James 4:6) In contrast, in Isaiah 66:2, the Lord tells us, “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” That is exactly what the law does to us. It doesn’t help us. It leaves us helpless. It humbles us. It shows us how utterly wicked we are, even down to our thoughts. Many people will look at outward sins and still try to say that they “have a good heart” but the law destroys even that notion. Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, didn’t try to do away with the law, but he held it up to an even higher standard when he revealed the spiritual nature of the law by declaring lust to be the same as adultery and hatred to be equal with murder. Just as the violation of the speed limit made you understand why you would be arrested, once a person understands that he has offended God with his sins, then the judgement becomes reasonable to him.
It is only when a sinner realizes that he actually deserves the justice of God’s divine wrath because of the enormity of his sins, that the grace offered in Christ becomes the amazing grace that it is. That God would have been perfectly just by killing him and making him pay the penalty for his own sins, but in His great love, came and not only lived the perfect life that he could never live, but gave His own life as a sacrifice to save him. How wonderful the message of the cross is now! How precious is the blood that Jesus gave! This is the message of the gospel. This is what Jesus suffered for. He died to pay the penalty for sin. Not to give us our best life now. Not to give us prosperity and health. He suffered and died to take away our sins and rescue us from an eternity in a lake of fire.
If we want to see souls soundly saved, we will preach the gospel in truth. Don’t leave them hanging by discussing secondary things and never opening up the gospel message. Use secondary issues to open the door so you can share the message of the cross with them. They will listen. Even if they reject it afterwards, they will almost always hear you out. Many times they will have the old “deer in the headlights” look because thay have never heard the gospel preached so simply, but at least they will have heard the words of everlasting life. Don’t rip them off by not giving them the truth. I know it can be uncomfortable to mention sin and hell and judgement, and telling peole they need to repent, but the Bible doesn’t mince words about it, and Jesus certainly never did. Should we? The reason those things are in the Bible is not to beat people up, its because the Lord doesn’t want people going there, and people can sense your compassion too.
So go out and share the gospel with a lost and dying world. Let compassion for them eclipse any fears you have and ask the Spirit to use you in the fields. Pray for laborers, but also pray that you may be used as one as well. And do it for the glory of God!