Witnessing and conversion
Hi, I’m a Lutheran who wants other people who aren’t Christians to receive salvation and go to heaven. But I understand that we believe it is faith alone and that it’s not our choice to “accept” Christ as Savior; it’s the work of God alone. If we believe that it’s God’s work alone, doesn’t that mean that we shouldn’t even bother preaching to non-believers? And also, if I were to preach to them, what do I say about receiving salvation? Many evangelicals would tell people to accept and trust him, but since we don’t “accept” Christ, do I tell them to put their faith in Jesus and they will be saved? I’m sorry if this is a long question, but I don’t know who to ask and it’s hard to put into words.
Conversion certainly is God’s work (1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 2:8), but Romans 10:14-15 explains that God works through his word to bring people to faith. So, there is a need to share the word of God with people.
As you witness to other people about Jesus, you can encourage them to look to the Lord as their Savior. If it happens that they do, it is because of the Holy Spirit’s working in their hearts through the word of God and not because of any decision on their part.
When the apostle Paul answered the jailer of Philippi’s question about salvation, he said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). Paul was not looking for the jailer to make a decision and invite the Lord into his heart. The Bible explains why we can’t do that and don’t want to do that by nature. Theologians have called a statement like Paul’s a “gospel imperative.” Statements like that direct people to action, but the words themselves contain the power to carry out the instruction. God alone is responsible for Christian faith.
Keep witnessing to your friends. God bless your witnessing of Jesus!