With a Subtitle: We must be honest and not leagalistic with seekers.

A brief Excerpt: We must be honest and not leagalistic with seekers.

The Author is: Jeff Hilles

The Bible is the primary source document for the believer in understanding who God is and what He calls us to do. Does that also make it an essential component of evangelism?

Today, in our culture, there are those who are so distant or estranged from spiritual things that to begin with Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”, is no longer a practical approach to evangelism. It, and other similar verses, tend to push people prematurely to the subject of their wrong behavior.

Today it is all about relationships, not Scripture.

It is true that God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). However, one must be discerning in the timing of its use. One of our readers made the point that it can easily become a debate over the Bible, instead of talking about Jesus, and what He has done in the life of the believer.

Paul made the point that we need to be flexible in divine appointments, based on the situation. Sometimes using a Billy Graham tract on “Steps to Peace” is just the right thing, sometimes not.

1 Corinthians 9:22 – To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

I think different methods work at different times and with different people. Often seekers have been fed negative views on the Bible and quoting it can sound like platitudes.

Recently, someone challenged me on using the Romans Road for witnessing because it can sound arrogant and dogmatic. I go back to Paul (above) to say each opportunity needs its own prayer for God to prepare both the seeker and the evangelist.