In what ways can we help others understand God and Jesus more deeply? Knowing the Root Issue John 16:3 — “They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.” • Jesus pinpoints ignorance of the Father and the Son as the core problem behind hostility and unbelief. • Helping others, then, is chiefly about introducing them to a true, relational knowledge of God—more than facts, yet fully grounded in the facts of Scripture. Start With Your Own Close Walk • Consistent obedience (John 14:21) makes Christ’s reality visible. • Visible fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) authenticates the message before a watching world. • Integrity under pressure (1 Peter 2:12) answers the silent question, “Is Jesus really worth following?” Speak the Gospel Plainly and Often • Faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17). • Keep the message clear: our sin, His cross, His resurrection, the call to repent and believe (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 17:30-31). • Avoid jargon; explain terms like “grace,” “repentance,” and “lordship” with everyday language. Rely on the Spirit’s Illumination • The Helper “will teach you all things” (John 14:26) and “convict the world” (John 16:8). • Pray specifically that the Spirit would open eyes blinded by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). • Share Scripture aloud; the Spirit wields the Word as His primary tool (Ephesians 6:17). Use Scripture Thoughtfully • Anchor every explanation in the Bible’s direct statements, showing chapter and verse (Acts 17:2-3). • Move from what they know—creation’s witness (Romans 1:20), conscience (Romans 2:15)—to the clearer light of Christ. • Encourage them to read a Gospel firsthand; God’s words do more than our words can (Hebrews 4:12). Cultivate Patient Relationships • Listen well; questions often reveal hidden heart-needs (Proverbs 20:5). • Share meals, serve alongside them, invite them into community (1 Thessalonians 2:8). • Remember growth is gradual—“first the blade, then the head, then the full grain” (Mark 4:28). Answer With Grace and Truth • Be ready to give a reason for the hope within you, “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). • Season your speech “with salt” so it is both palatable and preserving (Colossians 4:5-6). • Balance compassion and conviction, as Jesus did with Nicodemus (John 3) and the Samaritan woman (John 4). Demonstrate Love in Action • Meet practical needs; good works glorify the Father and point to Him (Matthew 5:16). • Forgive quickly; nothing displays the gospel’s power like extending the mercy we’ve received (Ephesians 4:32). • Stand with the vulnerable; God’s heart for the least is a living commentary on who He is (James 1:27). Keep the End in View • Ultimate understanding comes when people actually know God through new birth (John 3:3-5). • Aim not merely for intellectual assent but for transformed lives that call Jesus “Lord” (Luke 6:46). • Trust that every faithful seed sown will be used by the Lord of the harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). |
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