No, seriously, I have a problem!

Would you stop laughing for a bit?

Thank you. Okay, here is my problem. 

I have the cure for a deadly disease. That’s great! Right? I think so too. 

But here is the problem. I’m not going to tell anyone about it. Why? Because I don’t know how to tell people.  

You say, “Well Kenny, just tell them about the cure and they will come running to you.”

You might be right, but I am not certain how to explain it to them. And because I am uncertain how to tell them, I’m going to keep quiet and keep this for myself. Actually, I’m even kind of embarrassed that I don’t know enough to tell you how to be cured – but I know the cure works. It works for me, so I know it works. I’m just not going to tell you.

I know. I know. I know. You don’t agree and by now you are likely upset because you know of people who can use this cure. Yet because I don’t know how to tell people what they have to do to get well, I’m not going to tell them.

That might be what you think of me. I have the cure and I’m not going to share it. You have a right to think poorly of me. You have a right to hate me. But I just don’t know how to tell you. And even if I did tell you about the cure, I know that you won’t believe me or carry through with the directions. So I’m just not going to hassle you since I know you will not believe me or do what is needed.

What you just read is absurd. It doesn’t make sense that I know of a cure for a deadly disease but because I don’t know enough to tell you how it works, I will not tell you about it. 

But isn’t this what we do with the knowledge of Jesus Christ? Isn’t this what we do with the plan of salvation? We know enough to save ourselves but we think we don’t know enough to save others? 

Or, maybe embarrasses you? It is certainly not a laughing matter.

Do you know the plan of salvation? If someone came to you and asked you what you believe, what would you tell them? Could you lead someone to Christ? Would you be shaking in your boots – or at least greatly uncomfortable? I’ll be honest. While I could tell someone how to become a Christian, in the past, I could not lead them through the Bible to show them the Bible verses to become a Christian. For a long time, I even carried a white note card with me because I was so unsure of myself.

There is no need for us to be afraid to tell others about Jesus and tell them how to get to heaven. There is a simple step-by-step instruction plan. It’s called the 5-finger plan of salvation. It’s a 5-finger exercise and we can all learn it. It won’t make you a Bible scholar, but it will help guide you in telling another person about Jesus. Let’s get started.

Before you can know anything about Jesus, you have to hear. Romans 10:17 tells us:

Romans 10:17 (NIV)

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

After hearing comes belief in Jesus. The easiest verse to remember for belief is John 3:16.

John 3:16 (NIV)

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Two other verses that you might also consider are Romans 10:9 and John 1:12.

Once we believe in Jesus and understand His teaching, we need to repent of our sins. We need to turn from our sins and try to never return to them. For this step, an easy verse to remember is Luke 13:3.

Luke 13:3 (NIV)

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Three more verses that also talk of repentance are Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30, and 2 Peter 3:9.

After you believe and repent, Jesus calls for us to acknowledge that we believe in Him – that He is the Son of God. Matthew 10:32 tells us to confess this fact.

Matthew 10:32 (NIV)

32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

Romans 10:9-10 confirms both our need for belief in Jesus and that we must confess Him as Lord.

Baptism is the last step in becoming a Christian. On the birthday of the Church in Acts 2:38, Peter told his audience what they needed to do to be saved.

Acts 2:38 (NIV)

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible has several examples of teaching on baptism. Here are a few that reaffirm Peter’s instructions for baptism for salvation: Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-5, and 1 Peter 3:21.

While these are the five steps to become a Christian, there is more – much more. We must obey Christ’s teaching and continue to be faithful to Him in our times of trials. James 1:12 tells us:

James 1:12 (NIV)

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

2 Peter 3:18 talks about our need for growth in Jesus.

2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

We began on the humorous side to get our attention, but having the knowledge of a cure for the sins of the world and not telling anyone is no laughing matter. Isn’t it time that we learn the basic 5-finger exercise so that we can have this basic knowledge to tell others about Jesus and save people from eternal punishment. At least we can try. 

Let’s not make telling others about Jesus a difficult task. In the above 5-finger exercise, just choose one verse under each exercise and memorize that verse’s reference – where it is found. This means that you only have to know the location of five verses. You don’t even have to memorize the verses. All you need to know is the reference and then open your Bible and show the person what it says. It’s that simple. But don’t forget to teach them that they have to grow in Christ once they are Christians. We don’t want them to remain a baby in Jesus. We want them to grow.

Problem solved!!!

Love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenny