JESUS said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

JESUS said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life – no man cometh unto the FATHER but by ME.” The ONLY answer to how we get to heaven is through JESUS, the Cross of CHRIST. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags. The BIBLE also says without the shedding of blood there is NO remission of sins. It is ONLY through the shed blood of JESUS CHRIST!

The salvation message is very simple. The BIBLE says “There is none that doeth good, no not one” and “For by Grace are you saved through Faith and that NOT of yourselves, it is the Gift of GOD, not of works lest any man should boast.” The BIBLE also says “For All have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD.”

Since we have all sinned and come short of GOD’S Glory we have to have a PERFECT SACRIFICE to cover our sins. JESUS is the ONLY PERFECT SACRIFICE who died and rose again from the dead with over 500 witnesses seeing JESUS after HIS Resurrection!

WITNESSING To Family, Friends and Strangers

The question “Why do you think you should go to heaven?” gets to the heart of what a person is trusting in to get them to heaven. Most everyone responds by saying something about their good works. There are many scriptures you can use from memory or by going directly to the WORD OF GOD. Now you can also point people to this website at how2witness.com or howto witness.com. A list of almost every response you will get to the question with your responding with the scripture is here. I do not like a canned approach. Sometimes I say when witnessing “The BIBLE says it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgement.” When you die “Why do you think you should go to heaven?” You may feel more comfortable with this approach. It is the HOLY SPIRIT that convicts people of their sins. Have Faith GOD will do this through the HOLY SCRIPTURES you are led to use. Another easy going approach is to just say “You know we are all going to die (or go) sometime “Why do you think you should go to heaven when you die?” Some common and not so common responses to this most important question with your scripture response are:

• I’m a good person, try to do good to others, treat people good, help others. I go to church or I’ve been baptized. They may mention good deeds they have done. EPHESIANS 2: 8 & 9  For by Grace you have been saved through Faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD, not of works lest anyone should boast. ROMANS 3: 12  They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one.
• I’ve never done anything real bad like a lot of other people. Never killed anyone. My sins aren’t that bad. ROMANS 3: 23  For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD.
• I know I’m going to hell. I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. ISAIAH 1:18  “Come now and let us reason together” Says the LORD, Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (you can also say “The apostle Paul killed Christians before he was converted thinking he was doing GOD service. Moses murdered a man. Both were totally forgiven”)
• I don’t believe in GOD. I’m an atheist. PSALM 14:1A  The fool hath said in his heart “There is no God.” JOHN 3:17  He who believes in HIM is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten SON OF GOD.
• I don’t believe there’s a hell. God is a loving God, He would never send anyone to hell. MATHEW 25:46  And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. MATHEW 13: 49 & 50  So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
• I believe in GOD and trust in JESUS for my salvation! You will talk to some believers! ROMANs 10: 9 & 10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
• I believe in GOD but live for Him in my own way. JAMES 2:19  You believe that there is one GOD. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble. PROVERBS 14:12  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
• I’m Hindu, Muslim, believe in Buddha, etc.  JOHN 3:16  For GOD so Loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 2 PETER 3:9  The LORD is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. JOHN 14:6  JESUS said to him “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the FATHER except through Me.”  ISAIAH 43:10  You are my witnesses says the LORD, and MY servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe ME, and understand that I am HE, before ME there was no GOD formed, nor shall there be after ME. (WORD against false gods) ISAIAH 43:11  I, even I am the LORD, and besides ME there is no SAVIOR.
• I don’t believe I have to go through JESUS. ACTS 4:12  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. JOHN 10:1  Most assuredly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
• My Grandpa, Dad, Uncle, brother or whoever is a preacher, or my Mom (or someone) took me to church. HEBREWS 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. (you can also say “You only answer for yourself and it is the most important appointment you will ever have – let the LORD guide you in your response)
• I’ve been saved before but whatever (not going to church now, backslid, living my own life, need nothing else, etc.) 1 JOHN 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (you can also say “this scripture was written to Christians because GOD knows we need to ask Him for forgiveness)
• I was in a serious accident, health crises etc. that GOD saved me from. JOHN 1:4  In Him was life and the life was the light of men. (you can also say “That’s great! GOD has a special purpose for your life saving you from that accident. HE has given you an extra chance to repent of your sins and live for HIM)
• I don’t believe in sin or I don’t have any sins, bad sins etc. 1 JOHN 1:8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 JOHN 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 JOHN 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us.
• What about Hitler, Charles Manson or whoever? 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done whether good or bad. (you could also remind them “We must ALL appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST”)

Again, you are “Preparing Yourself For Witness” as the scripture says. We believe GOD brought you here! I love a conversational witness where you are talking in a natural matter. Sometimes I’ll just say “Let me ask you a heavy question” or “Do you mind if I ask you a heavy question?” I can’t recall anyone saying no. After asking “We’re all going to die sometime, “Why do you think you should go to heaven when you die?” Told you it was a heavy question. (They almost always agree and are usually in very serious deep thought about their answer) This usually gets a sincere answer to the eternal question and should give you confidence!

VERY IMPORTANT: It is vitally important that you ask the person or persons if they would like to receive JESUS as their personal Lord and Savior. (Sometimes they will tell you they don’t want to or you know you are planting a seed. Be careful with this because some are ready when we don’t think they are – this is a GOD divine appointment where you are both there at a specific time)  You may be shocked at how many will say yes. This is because sometimes the seed has already been planted by someone else. EXAMPLE: I asked someone the all important question and she said she was taking care of a sick person. I said this was commendable but if we could get to heaven by doing good works then JESUS wouldn’t have had to die for us. I can’t remember if I quoted EPHESIANS 2:8 & 9 or Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us. Then I told her she needed to transfer her trust from her own good works to JESUS alone for her salvation. She immediately understood and prayed to receive CHRIST and was very thankful!

PRAYER OF SALVATION:  Jesus, I ask you to forgive me my sins and come into my heart. I believe that you died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Change my life and help me to live for you. Thank you for saving my soul.

It is the sincerity of the heart not the exact words above that matters. It is important that the new convert repents, asking for forgiveness, acknowledging their belief and need for CHRIST. Often I will quote 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  (IMPORTANT: Sometimes during my witness or after the prayer I’ll share this scripture. Have Faith you are being led by GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT

The importance of the blood of JESUS and our testimony can be shared.  REVELATION 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

*** The question “If GOD were to ask you “Why should I let you into heaven?” – what would you say, is from Dr. James Kennedy and his Evangelism Explosion witnessing course. We honor this great Christian man who is in heaven now and are grateful for his evangelistic message and teaching which has spread worldwide.

Also, through witnessing in various situations have come to the following conclusions in today’s fast passed world.

1. Often there is a limited amount of time for us to witness or plant a seed. Whether in a gas station, store, parking lot etc. GOD greatly uses the one question to get at the truth of what someone is trusting in for their eternal salvation. (there are 2 main questions in the original Evangelism Explosion course)
2. The question “If you were to die tonight and GOD were to ask you “Why should I let you into heaven?” – what would you say? we often condense to several ways to say in just natural conversation. Sometime people look puzzled and have even said “I never thought of GOD asking me that? So, in many cases we just say “When you die why do you think you should go to heaven? or “We’re all gonna die “Why do you think you’re going to heaven when you die? (sometimes ask first “Do you mind if I ask you a really heavy question? Rarely will someone say no. Then just say “I told you it was a heavy question? Almost every time they are agreeing with you and thinking very deeply about their answer) There are plenty of scriptures no matter what someone’s answer.
3. Also, our own personal testimony can take a little bit of time if you feel led to share it. This goes into the reason for just using one main question.
4. One main question simplifies the witnessing process. (If you have more time many other important aspects of Christianity can be shared. However, we don’t want to overwhelm someone and scare them away)
5. People are hurting. GOD may have you at that specific place and time to mostly listen, pray or encourage them.