The Most Important Thing

The most important thing is what you know and believe about Jesus Christ. Everything else is dependent on that. Some people, in their zeal to convert others, focus more on external things like church attendance, reading the Bible, doing right, or avoiding sin, etc. Others want to push the “sinner’s prayer” too soon, thinking that this is what it means to win a person to Christ. But what is really important is real faith in Jesus Christ, without which this prayer means nothing. It may start small, but even if it is as small as a mustard seed it would mean much. Even though a person may still have doubts, his or her initial trust in the person of Jesus Christ will begin his or her discipleship. A disciple is a learner or student of Jesus Christ. You don’t need to know everything about Jesus to be His student. In fact, that is the reason why you are called a student in the first place. You just need to trust in Jesus enough to start following Him. That’s the key: start following Him.

Now how does this happen? This is a decision of the will or the heart. You cannot touch the heart, unless the mind and emotions are engaged. These cannot be engaged unless they hear something. They will not hear unless they trust and accept the one speaking. This is the reason why a Simple Church is powerful, because true friendship encourages a person to really hear the Good News. It minimizes the noise that prevents people from really hearing. Start a Simple Church or join an existing one, so that your friends may have a chance to really hear the Gospel. It’s the best place where people can work out their doubts and start believing in Jesus Christ. This is how people get converted, and it will take some time. Don’t aim for quick conversions that do not really last. True friendship is the hand that leads them along into a deeper and fuller faith in Jesus Christ. Making disciples through Simple Churches is the most exciting ministry you can ever get involved in.