Why do I need a Savior?

As we have already read in scripture, all have sinned. There is no one, not even one, that is righteous before God. All of our attempts of righteousness have failed and are like filthy rags. The only hope we have, is the through the mercy and goodness of God, He will supply for us a Savior.

Why is Jesus the Savior?

Jesus is not just another man, with an attempt at righteousness.áJesus is the embodiment of God in the flesh. We have all inherited a nature of sin through the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, it is necessary that a man, born outside of this nature of sin, be born and live as God would, that He could become the Savior of man.

Jesus was born of a virgin, through the conception of the Holy Spirit and not of sin. Thereby He came as a man, without the fallen nature, so that through His sacrifice, He would justify the ungodly. It was the Just taking the place of the unjust. That the unjust may be presented as just. This is the true meaning of redemption. It is a thorough exchange. It was the Just person given as a sacrifice, so the truly guilty could be released, forgiven and acquitted.

Why must I be righteous?

Being righteous is to be right. When talking about the righteousness of God, it is God that we need to be right with. This is not a package of deeds, but rather believing God. This is as necessary as knowing someone through the reality of what is true or knowing them through assumption and fantasy. If we are to be righteous in the presence of God, then when must know God's opinion of what that is going to require.

Through our fallen nature, we have also inherited a distorted view of God. We relate to Him through a distorted view and false perceptions. When we surrender our pride and humble ourselves to know Him for Who He says that He is, we begin to learn the truth about God and it is accounted to us for righteousness.

To do this, we can only begin this relationship by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ. This removes the plaque from our heart of relating to God with fear and self motivation. We now can begin relationship with God through love.

Why can't I do it on my own?

This answer almost becomes redundant as we read, but it is a question that rises from those that are skeptical. It is because we have a fallen nature that attempts to relate to God through our own perceptions, thereby distorting the relationship that He seeks with us.

The attempt to accomplish righteousness on our own, is rooted in the foundation of self righteousness. This stands in opposition of God's goodness that wishes to take self righteous works and self motivation out of the cycle and give to us, every necessity as a gift.á This demonstrate the unconditional love of God. Which without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we would only affirm in our heart the ruthless nature of self preservation and absence of pure love, the deception we have inherited that it's "Every man for himself."

How do I know Jesus is the One?

God, in His infinite wisdom, made this case before the coming of Jesus Christ. He had the foreknowledge of our skepticism and carefully outlined more than 260 prophecies, prophecies given over a period of hundreds of years, that would paint the picture of the coming Messiah, the Savior.

Prophesies that could only be fulfilled through a divine foreknowledge and not through some cleverly devised scheme. Prophecies that no effort of man could accomplish, like where Jesus was born, raised and type of death He would suffer. All which He Himself could not have influenced or planned, but are carefully outlined hundreds of years before in the scriptures. For a person to have fulfilled every prophesy with accuracy, without being the actual Savior would be the equivalence of filling up the entire state of Texas with half dollar coins, up to three feet high. Then taking one coin, marking it apart from the others, throwing it into the rest, mixing them all up thoroughly and on your first attempt, picking out that same marked coin.

The odds of your success would number higher than the number of people born at that time, unless divine intervention was applied, by which we can conclude, man wouldn't be the only one fooled but God also, since He is the One judging the sacrifice and we know God cannot be fooled.

I want to believe, I just can't.

There is a spiritual darkness that can cover the heart of man. We know there are spiritual beings, if for no other reason than God Himself is Spirit and we possess a spiritual nature, made in His likeness. The bible also addresses many instances that spiritual darkness, such as Satan, demonsá and spiritual wickedness is existent.

As we share with others about Jesus Christ, it is important to be aware the person we are talking with, could be held captive by a spiritual enemy of Jesus, hindering the person from receiving Jesus. In personal experience, there have been several encounters with these enemies and through the authority and power given through Jesus Christ, these demonic entities were overcome and the person wanting to receive Jesus, was able to.

One instance was when I was sharing in a crowd at a local carnival, from person to person, as they stood in line. I went up to one young man and asked if he died today would he go to heaven? His reply was that he didn't know. So I asked if he would like to go to heaven and know that's where he would be going when he died? After he replied this to be his desire, I asked if he would pray with me and accept Jesus into his heart? He had this blank stare on his face, almost fearful look. I put out my hand as if to shake his hand and said "My name is John, what's yours?" as I did this, he too extended his hand and taking mine, telling me his name. Once I had hold of his hand in this hand shake and he told me his name I said, "Bob, in the name of Jesus Christ, I set you free. Would you pray with me now to accept Jesus into your heart?" His immediate reply was YES! That young man received Jesus and you could see in his countenance that the Holy Spirit entered his heart. He left there smiling and me too.

Another incident was after spending several hours with a young lady of Jewish heritage, she repeatedly told me she wanted to believe but couldn't seem to do it. After several hours of searching scripture together and answering every question she had, she was in an almost desperate plea to believe. Remembering once again about the spiritual darkness that can hinder a person, I once again extended my hand and released her in the name of Jesus Christ from every hindrance holding her captive. She suddenly had a different look on her face. I asked her if she believed that Jesus Christ is Lord and she said with great excitement, "Yes, I believe it, Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord." Once again, asking her to pray and receive Him into her heart, which now she did without hesitation. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and shined like the sun.

Obstacles

I don't know enough scripture

The amount of scripture you know is only relevant to the person you talking to. In most cases, its not the knowledge of scripture a person needs, its someone willing to introduce them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

To do this, you only need to pray the prayer of invitation.

The Holy Spirit will do the rest. Sure, knowing scripture can be helpful to overcome certain objections, but ultimately it's the relationship with Jesus Christ that is important, not the amount of scripture you know.

I don't speak well enough.

Well join the club. There are numerous testimonies of people that God chose to use in ministering the good news that were not very eloquent public speakers.

One in particular was the Apostle Paul who said that he lacked the ability to be a good speaker.

Just take a look at the disciples, many who were unsophisticated in their own society.

God looks to the faith of the person, not the knowledge or ability.

You could be the best speaker in the world, but apart from the Holyá Spirit giving you the words to say, you will have no idea which set of particular words is going to be necessary to introduce a person to Jesus.

My life should be in order

The order of your life was accomplished by Jesus Christ when He took our place on the cross. As long as we are in this body, we will have imperfections. The order of your life may help others to gain respect for what you say, but will never improve on what is said. Share with others in what ever state of life you find yourselves and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

I'm Not Qualified

Apart from Jesus Christ, who is qualified? God qualified you through Jesus Christ.

What will Others think of Me?

People will think what they will, regardless. Lets focus on what Jesus thinks of us and them, respectively and allow His goodness to be our guide.

Defining the difference between Objections and Obstacles are simplest to ask, "What are their Objections and What are our Obstacles?"

Objections are reasons people may have for not believing or receiving Jesus Christ, while Obstacles are various beliefs we possess in a attempt to hinder us from taking the opportunities of sharing about Jesus Christ.