The Invitation
Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 1:18

A freshman at Moody presented the claims of Christ to a girl and then asked, "Would you like to receive Christ as your Saviour?" Without any hesitation the girl replied, "I sure would." The student was so surprised that she blurted out, "You would?" A Christian shouldn't be surprised when people respond if the Word of God is used, the gospel presented, one's dependence is on the Holy Spirit and a gracious invitation given. This is normal. This is as it should be. Many stop short and never give an invitation. No wonder they see such few results.

The Bible is full of invitations. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isa. 1:18). Jesus cried, "Come unto me" (Matt. 11:28). The Bible ends with the great invitation, "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And . . . let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).

After you explain the gospel and find the person understands, three verses can help clinch the decision. God declares, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). He further states, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). A third promise is: "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). After giving these verses ask, "Would you pray in your heart with me and let God know you will receive His Son as your Saviour and trust Him to save you right now just as He promised?" When he answers, "Yes," either let him pray on his own, have him to pray sentence by sentence after you as you lead, or let him pray silently. Immediately after his prayer open the Bible and show him how believers may have assurance of salvation.

An insurance executive told a pastor at the door of his church, "I'll hire you any time you want a job. You're sold on your product, you created an interest, you told how to get it and, best of all, you gave me an opportunity to sign on the dotted line." Let's be sure we always invite people to sign on the dotted line!