How to Make a Convert For Christ
In order to make a convert for Christ, one must follow the directions of Jesus Christ and His word. Would you agree? Does Jesus tell us to go door to door and ask people if they know where they are going when they die, and then proceed to tell them that they are going to hell if they don’t repent? Jesus’ instructions to us, from His word, are quite the opposite to what most people might think.
Jesus says that before we can convert someone to Christ, we must first be converted to Christ ourselves. We must be fully trained as disciples or pupils of Christ; then we will be like our teacher (Luke 6:40). In order to be taught by our teacher, we must walk as He walks or live like He lives (1 John 2:6). We must first clean up our own lives to be impeccable examples of Christ for others and thus, show them the Way.
If we try to bring others to Christ without first becoming converted, Christ calls us hypocrites (Luke 6:41-42). Jesus shouts from His word to those who call themselves Christians today, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ (using my name all the time) and do not do what I say?” Jesus wants us to act on His word, not just talk about it (Luke 6:46-47). We are to show our love to others by our deeds, not words (1 John 3:18-19). We are to convert our loved ones without a word. Without a word! How? By your behavior (1 Peter 3:1).
How is this done? Study to show yourself approved to God. Unless you study, God will consider you unapproved (2 Tim. 2:15—KJV). Then, in all things, show yourself to be an example of good works (Titus 2:7). Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Col. 3:12-13).
God wants you to learn to love the unlovable, like He loved you before you began living for Him daily. Love your spouse. Serve your spouse. Spend time with your spouse and enjoy life with your loved one, all the days of your fleeting life which God has given you under the sun (Eccl. 9:9, Eph. 5:22-33). Do not allow yourself to hold hard feelings against them and if you are angry with them, do not allow the sun to go down before you resolve your anger (Col. 3:18-19; Eph. 4:26-27). Do not argue at all, because this is breaking God’s command about repaying evil for evil or insult with insult.
Be considerate and treat your spouse as a human and not as a child. Remember, you cannot change them. That’s God’s business and you are not minding your own business if you try. Pray to God and ask God to work with your spouse. Do not try to “lord it over them” or oppress them in any way. They have one Lord over them, and you might be getting in His Way. Remember, you cannot change them and for that matter, you can’t change yourself. Only God can change a person and He never made a nature He couldn’t change or crush (Rom. 16:20). Crushing our evil nature requires your cooperation though. You must live a repentant life by serving others daily for God (1 Cor. 3:7). This is what allows God to create a new nature in you so that you become a new creature or creation and have Christ’s nature formed in you (Gal. 4:19; 6:15). That is when you are made complete (2 Cor. 13:9, 11).
Finally then, pray to God that perhaps God may grant those you care about repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth so they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil (2 Tim. 2:25-26). These are God’s directions and they work! Try following them!