The birth of Jesus, the Son of God, puts an emphasis on a point that many people want to deny. The Bible states this fact point-blank, however, it is hard to ignore:
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus is not an option when it comes to eternal life. He is an absolute requirement. If other routes resulted in eternal life, then Jesus’ incarnation would not have been used. The plan of salvation outlined in the Bible is extremely costly to God: an incarnation as a human, a impoverished human life harassed by Satan, an extremely painful death, being forsaken by the Father, a division in the unity of God if only for a time. That is a lot.
If humans just die and are gone or everyone goes to Heaven automatically there is no need for Jesus. If performing certain religious acts and being “acceptably” moral, as is the case in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and others, then Jesus isn’t necessary. But there is proof that Jesus did these things You find it in prophecy (Isaiah 53 and others), in the testimony of eye-witnesses, in the arrival of Christianity, and in the lives of many. Jesus is the way. There is no other.
People refuse to believe that God would damn people simply for a lack of knowledge of Jesus. I doubt that it will be a lack of knowledge. God strongly prefers that the Gospel reach people through other people. We are all called to make disciples. God has demonstrated the ability to reach people through dreams. The dreams usually lead the dreamer back to Christians for baptism and support. Jesus even did post-humous evangelizing himself with those killed in Noah’s flood (1 Peter 3:18-20, 4:6). We don’t know the extent of such work, so we dare not rely on it. Getting the Gospel out is critical to the plan.
Satan knows that. He is done everything he can think of to discredit the Church, the Bible or specifically the Gospel. He has done everything he can to keep us silent out of fear or awkwardness. It works. A large survey done early in the 2000’s revealed that most unchurched people have not been approached in any way by Christians about matters of faith. When that survey was done, most would have welcomed the conversation.
I understand the feeling of reticence in speaking about Jesus. I feel it too, and I am not the least bit afraid of someone asking a question that I can’t give some answer. I also realize that you might not have many close relationships with those who are outside of the church. That said, we need to speak with people while we have the chance. It is critical to them.
A simpler form of witnessing is just to invite people to worship, bible study, outreach activities or even social activities. If you go with people, you are getting them past another blockade Satan has placed in the way: the fear of entering a church where you know no one. That is a considerable fear. Hopefully, they will hear enough while there that the Holy Spirit can work with it. In the end, it the Spirit’s responsibility to form the connection to Jesus. We are just facilitators.
Not every invitation will be accepted. Sometimes their fears will get the best of them. Don’t give up unless your told to stop. Don’t stop praying about them, even if you are.
Giving Christ 