Are you a good person?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use the Law

The Importance of the Law

One of the most important things to help people understand when witnessing is their sin. If the person sees no need for a savior, they will see no reason to accept or believe in one. People must realize how offensive sin is to God, and they must realize that a loving, just God can not simply let that sin go.

Unfortunately, this extremely important aspect of evangelism has been in some cases completely removed from modern day witnessing.

Galations 3:24 says, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith."

Romans 3:19-20 says, "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sigh; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."

Jesus also used the Law when preaching. While talking to the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) Jesus was asked, "Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Did Jesus respond, "Accept me into your heart and say this prayer of salvation?" Did Jesus say, "Believe in God, and all will be well?" No. Jesus took the rich young ruler through the law (v. 19) and showed the ruler His sin. And because of that, the rich young ruler "...went away grieving" (v. 22).

Romans 2:14-15 says, "For when Gentiles who do not have the law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them" (emphasis added). The Law is written on each man's heart, and when used correctly to show sin, it prepares the way for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you would like more information on the importance of the law, please listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret, by Ray Comfort.

Below is a way to use the Law when witnessing:

The 10 Commandments

Often, when you ask someone what determines if you go to heaven or hell they will say, "If you are a good person." The only question then is: what determines if you are a good person? Luckily, God gave us that "good person" standard, which is the 10 commandments.

My favorite way to introduce the commandments is to ask the person if they think they are a good person. Most say yes. I then explain that in the Bible, God gave us a standard to determine if we are "good" people in God's eyes. That standard is called the 10 commandments.

Ask the person, "Have you ever told a lie?" Everyone says yes (if they say no then they just did!). After they say yes ask, "What does that make you?" They will admit, "A liar." It is also common to get answers like "A sinner" or "human". If you get this, just say something like, "Well, if you murder you're a murderer, if you rape you're a rapist, so if you lie you're a...?" 100% of the time they will answer liar.
Then go through a couple of the other commandments:

  1. Have you ever stolen anything? What does that make you? (a thief)
  2. Have you ever taken the Lords name in vain? The Bible says that is blasphemy.
  3. Have you ever been angry with someone? The Bible says Jesus checks your insides as well as your outsides, so that is the same as murder in your heart.
  4. Have you ever lusted after someone? The Bible says Jesus checks your insides as well as your outsides, so that is the same thing as committing adultery in your heart. 

When going through the commandments, make sure you don't come across as aggressive. We have all committed these sins. If the person seems defensive just simply say, "I've committed all these too."

After you have gone through a couple commandments, tell them exactly what they just told you: "So, by that standard you just admitted to me that you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderous, adulterer at heart. If God judged you by that standard on judgment day would you be guilty or not guilty?" They will say guilty. "So would that mean heaven or hell?" The person just went from being a "good" person to admitting they will go to hell (unless something has been done to forgive them of their sin) in about 5 minutes!

At this point, the person realizes that when they really examine themselves, they are no where close to being good enough for heaven. I had one young man tell me after realizing his sin, "Well, I never thought of it like that." Once they realize they aren't good enough and they see the need for a savior, simply walk them through the gospel and lead them straight to the cross!