LET NO ONE GO!

(Post by: Lilly Hobbs)

Over the past few months, I have had the chance to become friends with a couple of teen girls that have been coming to our church. Approximately two months ago, one of the girls, named Jamie, asked me if I could explain the Gospel to her.

Of course, I said that I would love to, and I grabbed a Bible and started explaining the Gospel to her. Since she was so open, I thought that she would want to give her life to the Lord that same Sunday. Well, guess what, it didn’t happen. She was still really open, but she told me that she wanted to go home and think about it for a bit.

To be honest, I was kind of disappointed that she didn’t make the decision right away, because I was just so excited for her to give her life to Jesus. So, the next week comes and she asked if we could go over the Gospel again and if I could answer some of her questions.

She didn’t end up making the decision that week either. Now I know what you’re thinking, “why is it taking so long for her to decide?”  There were times that I thought the very same thing, but I will say that there was a perk in all of this waiting time.   

1. After going over the Gospel so much, week after week, I’m pretty sure I could explain the way to salvation blindfolded and quote all the verses back to you. So that will be helpful! Can you tell I’m an optimistic person? Sometimes you just have to focus on the good things in ministry.
2. We also developed a really sweet friendship as we talked and got to know each other even more.

For the next five or six Sunday’s, we continued to talk and discuss her questions about salvation and what it would look like for her personally. There were times of distraction, many times of being interrupted, as well as times of great discussion.

It took time. In fact, lots of time. However, I’m so happy to say that Jamie gave her life to the Lord this past Sunday, January 5, 2020! One day before her actual birthday too!

The reason that I am sharing this story with y’all, is because leading another person to Christ is truly the best thing a Christian can do. Sharing the Gospel is the #1 priority that the Lord has for us.

God may have His way of doing things and His own timing, but we just have to be willing to cooperate with His plan and be an obedient vessel that He can use.

Charles Spurgeon once said this, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped around their knees. If hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let no one go unwarned or unprayed for.”

Are you to that point yet? Are you to the point where you will stop at nothing to tell others about Jesus and what He did on Calvary for you and me?

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 says this, “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy!”

The greatest result that Christians can achieve here on this earth is the salvation of souls. The souls that we tell about the Gospel and the cross are so much better a reward than all the trophies and medals we might win doing anything else.

Souls are an eternal reward! They are our glory and joy as we wait upon our Savior to return. Don’t let fear or anything else stop you from inviting people to Heaven with you.

Persevere and be patient for the sake of eternity.

“A man who has found out what his true work is – winning souls to Christ – and does it, such is the happiest man.”       -D.L. Moody

SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone?

= Is there something that often stops you from sharing the Gospel?  

= What are you going to do differently?