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Answer
When considering how to introduce Christ to someone, the initial step should mirror that of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. Matthew 3:2 informs us that John commenced his ministry with the declaration “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Repentance signifies a “change of mind,” involving regret for past wrongdoings “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”, (2 Corinthians 7:10), a profound recognition of the sinfulness of sin committed against God “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”, (Psalm 51:4), and a deliberate choice to turn from sin to God. Jesus’ initial words at the start of His public ministry echoed John’s “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, (Matthew 4:17).
Biblical evangelism – The positive news and the negative news
The term “gospel” translates to “good news.” While many sincere Christians kick off their evangelistic endeavors with the positive news of God’s love for humanity, that message may not resonate with non-believers who must first acknowledge the severity of the negative news. Firstly, humanity is alienated from a holy, just God due to sin. Secondly, God abhors sin and is “angry with the wicked every day” “God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”, (Psalm 7:11). Thirdly, death and judgment are unavoidable “And as it is appointed unto men once to diee, but after this the judgment: », (Hebrews 9:27). Fourth, man is wholly incapable of doing anything about the situation. Until the full extent of this bad news is presented, the good news cannot be effectively communicated.
Biblical evangelism – The holiness of God
What is missing from much modern evangelism is the holiness of God. In Isaiah’s vision of heaven, God’s holiness is being extolled by the seraphim around the throne. Of all the attributes of God they could have praised, it was His holiness—not His love—of which they sang. “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory’” «And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. », (Isaiah 6:3). When we understand just how holy God is, we can begin to comprehend His hatred of sin and His righteous wrath against sinners. Zechariah 8:16-17 and Proverbs 6:16-19 outline the sins God hates—pride, lying, murder, false witness, those who stir up trouble, and those with evil in their hearts. We cringe at the idea of God actually hating, because we are more comfortable with Him as a God of love, which He certainly is. But His hatred is real and it burns against evil (Isaiah 5:25;Hosea 8:5;Zechariah 10:3).
The unsaved person stands in mortal peril of the wrath of holy God, as Hebrews 10:31 reminds us: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” An unbeliever is separated from God by his sin, which God hates, and there is nothing he can do about it. His nature is corrupt and fallen, and he is “dead in trespasses and sins” «And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; », (Ephesians 2:1) with no hope of redeeming himself. He cannot save himself, despite good intentions or good works «Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. », (Romans 3:20). Every good work that man thinks he can do is like “filthy rags” in God’s sight «But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. », (Isaiah 64:6). No amount of good living will make us acceptable in God’s eyes because the standard is holiness, without which no one will see God «Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: », (Hebrews 12:14).
Biblical evangelism – Salvation through Jesus Christ
But now comes the good news. What man could not do to save himself, God accomplished on the cross. Jesus exchanged His righteous, holy nature for our sinful nature so that we can stand before God completely clean and pure, as new creations with the old sin nature gone forever (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). God provided the perfect sacrifice for our sin, not because we deserved it or earned it, but because of His love, grace, and mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9). Only those whose natures have been changed can escape the wrath of God and live in the light of His love and mercy. If we believe these things and commit our lives to following Christ by faith, we will live eternally with Him in the bliss and glory of heaven. This is gGood news indeed.
Biblical evangelism starts with prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in witnessing, open doors of opportunity, and a clear understanding of the negative news of sin and wrath, and the positive news of love, grace, mercy, and faith.
