If, after witnessing to individuals, we leave them wanting to trust Christ without knowing how to, we may have lost an important opportunity. D. L. Moody, the famed evangelist of the nineteenth century, shared how he preached a strong salvation message in his church in Chicago. Many raised their hands, acknowledging that they were unsaved and were headed for Hell. Overwhelmed by the great number, he sent them home, instructing them to come back the next week so that he could reveal to them the path of salvation. That week, the tragic Chicago fire took place. That same congregation never gathered again. That event haunted Moody the rest of his life; he decided never to give the Gospel message without concluding with a chance for individuals to make the decision.
Similarly, how many times at a Christian’s funeral have we heard an excellent message, but no one gave the opportunity to make the decision that would enable them to go to Heaven, eventually to join the departed? How fitting simply to pause at a funeral, inviting those in the audience, right there in their seat, to do what the deceased had done and trust Christ as Savior and Lord. How sad when that vital detail is not mentioned. A granddaughter of a lady my husband performed the funeral for, years later shared with us that it was at her grandmothers’ funeral she made her decision to trust Christ.
History tells us that a preacher counseled Abraham Lincoln after the death of his son. When Lincoln realized that he would be able to see his son again in eternity if only he would trust Christ as his Savior, he did. Before his assassination, it is recorded that Lincoln had planned to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism and had talked of going on a tour of the Holy Land. Instead of going to the land where Jesus once walked, Lincoln went to the Heavenly place where Jesus now walks!
If someone willingly takes time to listen to Jesus’ instruction on how one becomes His child in the Bible, we should help them to go ahead and make a decision. If they are interested enough to listen, it is likely that, given the opportunity, they would choose to trust Christ, without waiting. If we neglect to provide the opportunity for them to pray, telling Jesus what they want Him to do for them, we are failing them. Whenever a person understands and is willing to accept Christ, that is the best time for them to do so.
After I have had an opportunity to explain the plan of salvation, and I know that they understand, I ask them if it would be all right if I pray. Usually, they respond, “Yes.” They do not mind if I pray, but they may not feel comfortable praying themselves yet. Often I begin by addressing God in the following manner: “Thank you Heavenly Father for the opportunity to visit with______(insert name). I feel in my heart that______(insert name) understands, and I would like You to work in (his/her) heart right now to make this decision.” Then I pause, look at them directly, and ask, “Why don’t you talk to God, as I just now did, and tell Him that you would like to trust Jesus Christ to pay for your sins and give you a home in Heaven?” My praying first often helps them have more confidence talking to God themselves.
It can be helpful to ask individuals after they trust Christ, to verbally share what they just did with someone close by. The very act of confessing to someone verbally is strengthening, as Paul writes, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Writing down their name, age, address, phone and e-mail will help as you pray for them and enable you to contact them in the future in order to fulfill the rest of the ministry set forth in the Great Commission.
