Eva
Our neighbors need Jesus! Eva, from Huntsville Alabama, not only believes this, she lives it! Enjoy Eva’s story.
Debbie and Eva have been neighbors for 12 years, but it was not until after the death of Debbie’s husband that the two became friends. How Eva wanted to share the gospel with her friend, but she just did not know how to approach her.
The Exchange training at Calvary Baptist helped open the door to approach Debbie with the simple question, “Can we do a Bible study together?” Debbie’s response was exciting, “Yes! I would love to!”
Debbie’s main road-block was works! She was trusting good works for her eternal salvation; and even though the Bible study repeatedly address this, Debbie wasn’t understanding. Eva wisely began to refer to good works as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).
Eva writes, “Eventually, when Debbie would mention trusting in something, like baptism or doing good, I would say, ‘Debbie, what is baptism?’ She would answer, ‘Works.’ I would say ‘What are works?’ And she would answer, ‘Filthy rags.'” Slowly the truth began to dawn on her.
Toward the end of the study worry and sleepless nights began to indicate the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As lesson 4 ended Debbie asked through tears of frustration, “But if everything is filthy rags, then what can I do?” Eva clearly explained what it means to believe in Jesus alone for eternal salvation – that trusting God means trusting nothing else. Debbie could DO nothing to earn salvation.
Eva writes, “Debbie bowed her head, grabbed my hands and prayed the most beautiful prayer for salvation I have ever heard. When she raised her head, she was laughing and crying at the same time. She said, ‘I am saved. I know I am saved.’”
Like Eva, many of us have neighbors who need the gospel, but we just aren’t sure how to approach them. The Exchange Bible study is a wonderful way to open that door. You might just experience the response Eva received, “Yes! I would love to do that!” The Exchange: An Inquirer’s Bible Study