How To Save Somebody

 "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:3-9 

I was just talking to a friend about his concern for people he knows and cares about that are far from God and apparently not interested in knowing any more about God, heaven or hell. He was distressed because he wanted to know what to say to them that might spark a spiritual interest in them.  I reminded him of the parable of the seed. The disciples needed Jesus to explain the parable to them, which he did.

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” - Matthew 13:19-23

The last one - the good soils - is the one who is saved. If you were a numbers guy - that would mean that, given that there are 4 types of people, there is 25% chance that the person you are speaking to will respond to the Gospel by placing their faith in Jesus. But that is probably a liberal estimate. And of course we want it to be much greater chance than that. Worse, we might feel responsible if they continue to reject Jesus - as if their salvation was somehow up to mere mortals.

" But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." - Romans 10:8-17

We are responsible for telling others but salvation is between each person and God.  They must choose to confess and believe, but most will not - to God's and our dismay. What was it that Paul said?

"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

We have a role - we are part of the process. We are casting the seed, but we are not the ones who bring the increase. That would be God. And don't think that because you share the Gospel and someone doesn't fall to their knees saying, "I believe" means that they will not be saved.  I first heard the Gospel in 1969 from my parents. It was not until 1976 did Martie and I yield our hearts in faith to Jesus. Don't give up on them - let them see Jesus in you. Then you be you and let God be God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone