Have you ever had a moment where you learn about something, but quickly catch on that everyone else around you seems to already know this information? Perhaps it was some "life hack," or the existence of a popular movie, or some big piece of news. In the moment your ignorance was erased and you came into "the know," you probably uttered something like this...
"Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"
If the biblical record of Jesus' teaching on hell is accurate, there will be many people who enter the afterlife permanently separated from God uttering those very words. That is why I find Romans 10:9-17 so convicting, especially verse 14...
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Romans 10:14 (ESV)
This is why it is crucial, as we conclude our series Before You Share Your Faith, to realize that while the first four steps are very important to do before a Jesus-follower shares about his or her faith in Jesus, the last step is absolutely critical. As much as we might want someone to come to faith in Jesus by simply seeing our gospel-motivated actions, Romans 10 makes it clear that God uses our words to open up someone's mind and heart to His love.
Noted atheist and magician, Penn Jillete (of Penn & Teller fame), once shared a video in response to an audience member giving him a Bible and sharing the gospel after a show one night. One would think someone like Jillete would have been offended at the ignorance of someone to believe in the crazy story of a God who sacrificed His own Son. Instead, Penn shared how he respected this man for "proselytizing" (his word). Because if the man, convinced of the truth of Christianity, didn't tell Penn about Jesus, then "how much do you have to hate someone to NOT proselytize" if you do believe there is a hell?
So if you are convinced God loves your friend as much as you (news flash: He loves them way more than you ever could!), then start to speak about your faith in Jesus.
I taught a bit more in-depth on this very subject this past Sunday. If you missed that sermon, you can listen to it here.
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