by Fay Dodson
Merrillville, IN
Did you realize that there is more to being a good neighbor than keeping your grass mowed? Did you realize that keeping a trash-free lawn does not mean that you are a good neighbor? Even if you keep your dog from barking constantly, you are not necessarily being a thoughtful neighbor! As a saved person, YOU are responsible for the lost souls in your neighborhood. I realize that it is more difficult to witness in your own neighborhood than it is to go to another area and knock on doors. Nevertheless, God holds you accountable for witnessing to those who live around you.
I was thinking recently of some of my own neighbors whom I have had the privilege to win to Christ. A few years ago, I was able to win an eight-year-old boy to the Lord, but I never got to see his parents. He is a teen now, and the other day, I saw his parents at a garage sale. Finally, I was able to witness to them and to see them saved. Recently, a Jewish lady, whom I had won to Christ, moved out of my neighborhood. A young couple bought her house, and I was able to win them to Christ shortly after they took up residence. Another house situated behind mine was vacated not long ago, and a couple bought that house. I was able to meet the lady, and she accepted Christ as her Saviour. At this writing, I am still waiting to meet her husband so I can witness to him. I can also recall winning several teens to Christ. All of these special people were won as the Lord brought them to me.
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One of the most exciting soul-winning situations I have had involved one of my new neighbors. I was walking my dog Pugsley, as I do several times each day. We were just rounding the corner of the block when a huge dog jumped at the fence surrounding the corner-house yard. His barking and racket nearly had my pug and me jumping out of our skins. We thought we were going to be a meal for a hungry giant! Quickly, the owner of the dog came rushing to assure me that we were safe. Come to find out, our new neighbor is a Lake County Canine Sheriff, and his hungry giant-of-a-dog is his partner! I spent a few moments chatting and getting acquainted with the officer. Before long, he was sweetly saved. Equally as special to me is the fact that I was able to follow up on my new friend, and he now has a saved wife and stepdaughter. I just never know where or when the Lord will put a soul-winning situation in my path, and neither do you!
I feel a sense of responsibility for my neighbors. I look for opportunities in my neighborhood because I feel that I have the best neighbors in the whole world. Not every situation will work out as successfully as did the incident with the police officer. I am thinking of a couple who are faithful, Catholic church-goers who are very good people. I have witnessed to them both, and both emphatically said “no” to the Gospel. I still pray for their salvation. I know that I did my part. I always remember that there are three parts to soul winning. The first part belongs to me which involves going and telling. That is all that I am responsible to the Lord to do for someone. I am commanded to go and tell. The second part of soul winning belongs to the Holy Spirit. He is responsible to go with me and to confirm what I say to the person with whom I am speaking. The wonderful thing is that He always does His part, and He never takes off a day! The third and final part belongs to the person with whom I am sharing the Gospel. It is that person’s responsibility to either accept or reject Christ’s offer of eternal salvation.
I am thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to share the salvation story with my neighbor, the policeman. I’m glad that I did my part; I’m grateful to the Holy Spirit for doing His part; I’m so thrilled that my neighbor and his family did their parts.
Here Is the Simple Plan of Salvation that Fay Shared with Her Neighbor: You Can Share These Verses Too!
In I John 5:13, the Bible says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” You can know you are on your way to Heaven.
In Romans 3:10, the Bible says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one,” and in verse 23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” These verses mean that everyone sins, and that means you are a sinner also. In Romans 5:12a, the Bible tells us from where sin came: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” This means Adam committed the first sin in the whole world. This word, “death,” doesn’t mean just dying and going to the grave; it means eternal separation from God in a lake of fire. This is our punishment for our sin and a debt you owe as of right now.
But, thankfully, the story doesn’t end there! In Romans 6:23, the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Going to Heaven is a gift; it’s absolutely free! You can’t buy it, work for it, go to church for it, or be good for it. It’s absolutely free! It would be as if a friend went to the store and purchased you a present. She paid for it, wrapped it, put a pretty bow on it, and brought it to you. She did everything for you; all you have to do is receive it. That is what Jesus did! He left His home in Heaven, came to earth, died on the cross, shed His blood, bore our sins in His body, and paid for them. He did everything for you; all you have to do is receive it.
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If you know that you’re a sinner, you realize there is a penalty for that sin and that you can’t pay for it yourself, and you realize that Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for your sins, this is what you need to do. In Romans 10:9 and 13, the Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “Whosoever” means you. We could put your name in the blanks: “For ___ shall call upon the name of the Lord, and ___ shall be saved.”
If you will trust Jesus to take you to Heaven when you die, pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, forgive me of my sins. I trust You today, Jesus, and only You, to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
According to the Bible, if you were to die today after trusting Jesus as your Saviour, you would go to Heaven because in John 3:36 the Bible says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
If you have trusted Christ today, please contact us! We would love to rejoice with you!
