Page 53 - Principles for Discipling Others-Student textbook

Christ to save them. Conversely, as soon as someone does everything
“right” the person’s heart turns hard and Satan sweeps away the seed
that has been sown. The person walks away more determined than ever
to go his own way without Christ. Nevertheless, there are a few very
general common sense principles to note…..

1. Don’t assume a negative response. We are dealing with the message
of forgiveness, sin-cleansing, peace, joy, eternal life and heaven. If a negative response happens there is
not much we can do about it. But a positive witness needs to be just that.

2. Do not try to force a decision from a person. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The new birth is a
miracle and we cannot produce it.
3. Don’t start an argument. As soon as we do the person stops listening while trying to formulate
his/her reply.

4. Don’t use Revelations 3:20 and tell someone to “ask Jesus to come into their heart” to be saved.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I

will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.

In many Gospel presentations, the presenter will use this verse to help the person
understand that they need to ask Jesus into their heart to be saved. Please do not use
the verse in your Gospel witness. Why? First, there is no place in the Bible where a
person is to “ask Jesus into your heart” for salvation. The emphasis of verses is to
BELIEVE, RECEIVE, TRUST, and CALL UPON! The concept of Jesus coming into a
person’s heart is not only confusing, but inaccurate. When a person receives Christ,
the HOLY SPIRIT comes to indwell the believer. Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand
of the Father in heaven making intercession for us as our mediator. He does not come
down into each person’s heart. You also must remember that God is omnipresent.
That means He is everywhere at all times. He does not just reside in the heart of the
believer.

The second reason you don’t want to use this verse is that in context, the verse is written to the Church
of Laodicea – to believers. This was a literal Church who had walked away from their love for Christ and
believers there were lukewarm in their faith. They had, more or less, excluded Jesus from their daily
walk and become worldly. So in Jesus’ plea to this church of believers, He was telling them that while
He was outside knocking, He would be willing once again to step into the doors of the church and renew
fellowship with them. This verse in context has NOTHING to do with an act toward salvation. To use it
to tell people they need to “ask Jesus into their heart” is a misuse of this Scripture and a violation of
Biblical hermeneutics.

1. Do use the Bible: The Bible is the Word of God. It is quick (living) and powerful and penetrates hearts
like nothing else can do. Let the Bible do its work. Since the Bible is not always available this is a good
time for us to be reminded of the tremendous value of Scripture memorization. Thus the Holy Spirit can
bring to mind verses that we have memorized and bring them to bear upon the heart of the unsaved
person.

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