Verses We Give to the Lost for Salvation

By Dwayna Litz

When someone comes up to our booth at Venice Beach, we have a big sign that reads, "Come Find Out What God has to Say About Your Future for Free" and we read them the Bible instead of reading their palms! When they approach the booth, they have often asked me, "No way? Really, for free?" I smile, and I answer, "Yes, for free!" (Of course they think I am going to be some sort of psychic)! They sit down with me, and I take out my Bible. I say, "First, let me tell you what God has to say about people." Then, I proceed to look up every verse and either read the verse out of the Bible to them or have them read it. But, I do look up every verse, so they can see that I am reading this straight from the Word of God.

As time has passed, we now have street ministries in Venice Beach , Wes t Hollywood, Boulder , and soon in NYC where we sit at a table and let the people approach us and ask questions. It is very important for all of the leaders in our locations--with the exception of Wes t Hollywood, because the people are in a hurry on their way into the gay bars on Santa Monica Blvd, and it is a night ministry with limited light; in this setting it is best to just offer them the testimonies on tapes and CD of ex-homosexuals who have been set free through salvation in Jesus and be prepared to look up the key Scriptures which go against homosexuality, especially in the New Testament--but in all of the other ministries we should be prepared to say, "Would you like to sit down with me?" This gives a more relaxed setting for the lost person, and the person sits down and then the leader takes out the Bible to read the person verse after verse.

It is a powerful experience to LOOK UP THESE VERSES AND READ THEM FROM THE BIBLE TO THE LOST PERSON. IT IS POWERFUL AND CONVICTING FOR THEM TO ALSO READ A VERSE OR TWO. THEY ARE USUALLY PRODIGIOUSLY SURPRISED TO FIND THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST TO SERVE THEM AND MAKE ALL OF THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE. THEY SEE THEIR STATE BEFORE THE LORD, AND THEN THEY CAN SEE THEIR NEED FOR A SAVIOR. OF COURSE, ALL OF THIS--EVEN THE DESIRE TO SIT DOWN WITH US IN THE FIRST PLACE--IS BY GOD'S MERCY.

Here is what we tell them, as we look up these verses:

Rom. 3:23—we are all sinners (one little lie is enough to make you deserve hell; God’s standard is perfection)
Romans 3:12—not only that, but no one is “good”!
John 3:36—people are at war with God if they are not saved; God is at war with people because of their sin.
John 8:44—and people are of their father the devil if they are not saved
John 8:34—and people are slaves to sin apart from salvation
2 Timothy 2:25-26—and they are victims...
2 Corinthians 4:2—and they adulterate the Word of God if they are not saved, walking in craftiness
2 Corinthians 4:4—Because they are blind
Galatians 5:17—following their own desires, against God
Ephesians 2:1—and they are walking dead people (also see Col. 2:13-14--people are dead a part from salvation)
Ephesians 2:2—walking according to the “prince of the power of the air” and of a “spirit working in the sons of disobedience”
Isaiah 59:1-2—but God can save…though their sins have made a SEPARATION between them and God
2 Corinthians 5:21—the Good News! (Jesus came who knew NO sin to die in our place and pay our penalty)
Acts 17:30-31—but you must repent and TURN FROM SIN TO WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE, you must be willing to turn from sin and follow Jesus as Master of your life. Your life is no longer your own, but His…God wants to be your “Father”. There is a personal God who loves you and wants you if you would only want Him…this only comes through repentance…and living for Jesus, however, you cannot EARN it…
1 John 1:9--You must confess that you are a sinner to be saved, and He will cleanse you FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ephesians 2:8-9—this forgiveness is a gift and nothing earned. (This makes Christian ity different from all other religions and cults). Also see: Romans 3:20—No one is justified by keeping the Law, or by "good works". No one.
Galatians 5:4—the Law cannot save you and those who trust in the law for salvation are “severed” from Christ; people have fallen from grace if they are seeking justification by the Law.
Matthew 10:28—your soul will be destroyed in hell apart from salvation in Christ (there is no such thing as reincarnation); "God is able to destroy both body and soul in hell"; we should fear God.
2 Corinthians 6:2—Today is the day of salvation. Won’t you take this gift today?
1 John 5:12-13—We can know we are saved and have assurance