JD Abshire

You can not. The apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:6 " I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
All you can do is prayerfully share God's plan of salvation ftom the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 " So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
The Holy Spirit operates by and through the written Word. We as believers are sometimes privileged to reap where we have not sown yet at other times function only as a sower, planting the seed of faith that may take weeks, months or even years to produce life.

Psalms 126:5 " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Psalms 126:6 " He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

As believers, our responsibility is to spread the gospel of grace. It then becomes the Holy Spirit's work to save those who have heard. Only he can give them the ability to believe.

April 19 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Rotimi EWEDEMI Very keen Bible Researcher

I humbly suggest a re-framing of the question, as follows: " how can I convince an unbeliever that not all paths lead to salvation?.

Of course, this presumes that the "unbeliever" is aware that humans need salvation and is also aware of the reason why human condition is as it is today....pain, sorrow, sickness, insecurity, death etc. Also, that he knows that salvation means freedom from all of the above and ultimately inheriting everlasting life. 
Furthermore, does the unbeliever believe that there is a God who created all things? Does he take the Bible as the word of God? 

If the assumptions are taken, then it becomes a not too difficult assignment to convince the " unbeliever". Of course, he can only be convinced by the holy spirit. You are just to help him reason to get the point. Just reason along with him on Genesis account of creation; the meaning of the events in the garden of Eden concerning the eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-5, 14-15). Reason also on Genesis 3:17-19 and point out that this passage spells out the beginning of human problems. 

You should dwell on the meaning of Genesis 3:15. Here, God is saying that the originator of sin and death, the Serpent (actually the Satan and Devil, Revelation 12:9) will eventually be destroyed by the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, also the seed of Abraham, who will be the deliverer and Saviour of obedient humankind.

Make it clear that all humans have choices: either they follow or become seeds of the serpent, or they follow the Seed of the woman. John 3:16 makes it clear that salvation will come only to those humans who follow, or believe, or have faith in the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ. Reason along using John 17:3 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 to show that salvation comes only to those who know God and obey or believe the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, most humans, in fact a very large majority, have chosen to follow the way of Satan, whom the Bible depicts as the great deceiver, Rev 12:9). Point out, using Matthew 7:13,14, that there are two paths or roads that each of us can walk through: the narrow gate into a narrow and rugged road but which leads to salvation or eternal life, and the broad gate into a wide smooth easy road which leads to destruction, or eternal death. It is our priviledge to choose, by ourselves, which road to follow.

Let the " unbeliever" be aware that Satan appears to the world not as a hideous character but as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 in his deceptive activities, using false apostles. These teach and preach lies and lying doctrines. And to be saved, one has to learn the truth of and about God and Christ. Revelation 21:8 clearly implies that liars will not inherit God's kingdom but will have their portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. 

The wide gate is symbolized by Babylon the Great of Revelation 17:5-7; 18:1-5, as the umbrella under which all false paths take refuge, and used by the great deceiver Satan the Devil to mislead the world. 

In conclusion, encourage your friend to search the Scriptures, meditate prayerfully on them, pursue the path of truth and righteousness, seek for God's spirit. Let him prayerfully meditate on Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 2:2,9; Matthew 7:15-21. He should also be watchful according to Christ's instruction.

If you apply the above technique prayerfully and lovingly, depending not on your own ability but on God's spirit, and if your friend is willing to listen and learn, likely he will be convinced!

April 19 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report