Encouragement

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Assurance of Salvation.
By Henry Jaegers


When we receive Christ something begins to change and it is the desire to be more Christ like. When we become Christians it is like being born. If you take a newborn baby and leave it on it's own to take care of itself it will eventually die. This happens very frequently to new Christians.They are led to believe that becoming a Christian is the end. We often reason; "Finally after all these years He go saved. They may have become a Christian, but they have never been nurtured to become healthy and productive servants of God. This is where discipleship comes into play. The importance of planting the seed of God's word enables others to become functionally mature Christians. That is our goal: to be part of the process in developing healthy, happy and productive Christians. It begins with me.

None of us can know for certain if Christians are really saved. If we have opportunity we just plant the seed of God's word and watch it take root and grow. All progress in others should encourage us no matter how small or how great the opportunity is. Sharing the gospel is just like planting a garden. In Matthew 13 Jesus used a Parable concerning different types of ground that the seed was sown in and the results of how that soil responded to the seed. I am not going to go into detail about that. For now an important principle is necessary. The effectiveness of the seed is measured by the type of soil the seed is sown in. Sometimes we randomly throw out passages at others and think that we are sowing the seed. At times it may work but there is a better way.

Planting a garden involves five things.

1. Preparing the soil. Practically speaking it means establishing positive relationships with others and in so doing opportunities arise to plant the seed. Being a friend is one way. Do non- religious things with them that they enjoy. Talk with them; listen to them. Don't worry about sharing the Gospel with them right away until God opens that door. We may have to be patient. Kindness is a demonstration of Love. Preparing the soil means, that you have to earn the right to sow the seed.

2. The quality of the seed. The type of seed that you sow can determine how much fruit will come. Don't just throw out verses that you memorized in a soul winning class. Be able to explain the meaning of the verse and how it relates to the individual you are addressing.. If the seed we present answers questions or arouses interest then something will take place

3. The seed itself. It must be the Word of God. God promises that the Word that goes forth from His mouth shall not return without success. Know the word you are speaking. Develop a plan that works easily for you. Make it easy to understand. Be prepared to share it when the time comes.

4. Watering the seed and cultivating it once it has been planted. This means Praying often for the seed to take root. It also means to review and add to the information received in order to create greater understanding. It may take a long time but be faithful for success only comes after the seed has been planted and further cultivated.

5. Producing fruit. Now that is where we get confused. Only God can produce a Christian. It is not our job to high pressure people into salvation or to place another spiritual scalp on our belts. Our part is to do the first four steps. It is God who energizes those steps and convinces men of their need to receive Christ

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