The smallest of the “P’s” is persuasion, which is also the point of the pyramid – or the tip of the spear, to use another metaphor. Once you’ve established a strong relationship with your friend, you can say what needs to be said. You must eventually share that Jesus is the only way to have peace with God. You must share that, without repentance, there is no forgiveness for sins. You must share that Jesus is God.
When your friend argues with you, don’t back down. Respond with affection in your voice. If he offends you, you can articulate that, but continue to pursue him with love. And never, ever deny the truth of the gospel, no matter what the situation.
it’s in persuasion that contextualization is most powerful, but remember that contextualization never softens the gospel; it clarifies the gospel in such a way that the truth penetrates the heart of the hearer so that he can no longer ignore the truth of the gospel, but must act on what he has heard. Acceptance or rejection of the gospel is no longer dependent on you, but on God.
Read the series of posts below for more on this topic:
