How Should We Evangelize?

If conversion is understood as merely a sincere commitment made once, then we need to get everyone to that point of verbal confession any way we can.

Biblically, though, while we are to care, to plead, and to persuade, our first duty is to be faithful to the obligation we have from God, which is to present the same Good News that He's given to us. God will bring conversions from our presenting this Good News.

As we present the gospel in all its simple clarity, we also need to clearly call people to repentance from their sins and belief in the death and resurrection of Christ as the substitute penalty for our sins. We need to communicate three important facets of repentance and belief.

It's costly. Remember what Jesus says to the rich young ruler? If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matt 19:21). It's not that we must tell our unbelieving friends to sell all their possessions to become Christians. But we need to present honestly God's demand that we forsake anything we trust or choose above God.
It's urgent. A helpful way of communicating urgency is to winsomely discourage our friends from waiting for a better deal to come along. There is no better deal, because there is no other way to escape the penalty, power, and presence of sin (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom 10; Heb 4:7).
It's worth it. After an honest and sober presentation of the cost and urgency of repentance and belief, we are free to communicate their worth and fruit. We gain forgiveness of our sins, and God credits Christ's acquittal to us. We get relationship with God Himself, we are loved by Jesus as His brothers and sisters, we are filled with His Spirit, and given every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1).