“And they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus [as your personal Savior and entrust yourself to Him] and you will be saved, you and your household [if they also believe].” (Acts 16:31 Amplified Bible)
A couple of years ago, I substituted at an elementary school for a little over a semester. This included subbing during the Christmas season. On most days it was too cold to go outside for recess, so we stayed inside. Sometimes as many as 3 classes crammed in one room. What’s the best strategy? Show a video! So we showed a video on those days and in most classrooms on the day before the Christmas break as well. It was the same video, same story, same characters, and the same focus on the primary characters that had a problem believing. I’m sure you have seen it. It is titled “The Polar Express.” If you have not seen it yet, it’s not too late. It seems to be on some kind of broadcast loop or every other day rotation because most nights it has aired in my town regularly over the last couple of weeks. It is a good kids movies and in the end, the characters that had problems with believing came to the point that they could declare “I believe.”
Now I hope that you have not just got wrapped up in the “Christmas season” over the last few weeks. I hope you have thought in terms of the Advent Season; a time where we focus on the first coming of Christ Jesus and we also look forward to His second coming. Did I say, “I hope…?” I should have said, “I know you have through of the Advent Season.” Please forgive me. But listen there are some folks who have come to church and appear to be a rider on the gospel train, just like a couple of the little boys who were passengers on The Polar Express but had no real belief; either in Santa or that any gifts were deserved. There are some people you know who have yet to believe. There are some people who think they don’t deserve to receive the gift of life. None of us deserved it! Good thing we benefitted from the love of God. Yes, by grace we were saved through faith! It’s Advent Season, so don’t you think it is a good time to help someone yet to believe to come to a point of belief? Now many will answer, “Of course! I want to, but I don’t know where to start.” Well, start with a question like “What’s on your mind this time of the year?” Manage the dialogue until you get the opportune time to help that person know the benefit of believing in Jesus. Do some personal evangelism. Here is another “how to” technique. When someone asks you, “What are you looking to get for Christmas?” or “What do you want for Christmas?” – be ready to respond with true, sincere excitement, telling them how you already got your gift years ago. Hopefully they will want what you have! “What is that gift,” you say? Peace with God! Salvation! Everlasting life! Hopefully, when you respond, they will come to the point where they say, “I believe.” Is this a witnessing assignment? Well, of course, but what better time to share the real reason for the season. Be blessed!
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 Amplified Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King