Luke 10:5-7 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

We are commanded to go and make disciples. Devotionals do not accomplish that. As much as I would like to believe they have a roll in the salvation story, evangelism is most effective face to face.

Enter in where peace can be found and establish relationship. Eating and drinking such as you are given is an act of hospitality. People who are receiving you are receiving of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your ability to show Christ begins with a receptive heart. Establishment of trust is key in developing disciples, you must show trust in order to gain trust.

This year I have spent many weeks explaining the gospel in simple terms and in more complicated terms. The majority of those who read my devotionals are Christians. What value is there in delivering the gospel over and over again to believers? The answer to that question is firmly entrenched in the answer to this question. What approach do you use to bring the gospel to the lost?

A complete understanding of the salvation process is required to evangelize. How can you lead others to Christ is you do not know how salvation works and why it works? Your approach can be different, but the one basic element that makes any approach effective is establishing relationship. Build trust, show love, answer honestly, and give glory to God.

Luke 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Here are two verses about the same thing. One expression is simple while the other is more complex. The common element which both contain is understanding. Neither tells the whole story. Both need more detail to make all the pieces fit. One is a simple approach, the other is more complex.

This year is almost over. I began this year trying to simplify the gospel. In the past week or so I have used a different, more detailed approach. Both require you to understand what is being offered. It is my hope that someone might come to understand the offer of salvation and understand its elements.

In this understanding each of us must evaluate our needs and determine what it is going to take to best achieve those needs. Is your life empty and you need Jesus to fill it? Are you filled with regret and seek forgiveness? Do you desire to know this God who is your creator? Do you want to be loved perfectly? Each and every one of us has a different story and a way in which the gospel reaches us.

I do not know the thousands who read my devotionals. I do not know how often or why anyone might come across these words. I cannot control the understanding. I can however offer up the telling in different ways. Whether I am making this something that you understand is not up to me. God is the author of your salvation. I am but a witness.

The best way to tell anyone the gospel with understanding is face to face.