Written by Joey Arles O. Vergara (c) April 2026

Introduction: Our Primary Responsibility

Preaching the Good News of Salvation—the Gospel of Jesus Christ—is a believer's primary responsibility. Before we are anything else in this world, we are ambassadors for Christ, tasked with the Great Commission to share the hope of salvation with those around us.

However, in fulfilling this mandate, it becomes clear that how we start the conversation matters immensely. A helpful inclination is to begin these encounters not by immediately debating religious duties, but by asking people to deeply assess their identity as a "child of God," or if they have ever come to understand its necessity or purpose. In the Philippine context, and perhaps across the majority of the world, people already have preconceived ideas about Jesus and Christianity. Therefore, it is often more effective to bypass those assumptions and go straight to verifying if the individual has become a legitimate child of God. This shifts the starting line of evangelism from "religious duty" to "personal relationship and identity."

By treating church attendance, rule-keeping, and denomination as secondary matters in these initial conversations, this method actively aligns with the core message of the Gospel of John. This lesson outlines why and how to use this identity-based approach to evangelism.

Part 1: The Biblical Foundation in John

The Gospel of John emphasizes the intimate, familial relationship between God the Father and His children. This evangelistic approach is anchored right in the prologue of the book:

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." — John 1:12-13

This passage perfectly supports the mindset of "testing spiritual DNA":

1. It is a specific "right": Not everyone is automatically a child of God. It is a legal, spiritual right that must be given by God and received by the individual.

2. It requires a new birth: It is not about human effort, heritage, or religious activities, but about being "born of God."

Case Study A: The Example of Nicodemus (John 3)

This approach mirrors how Jesus handled Nicodemus. Nicodemus had all the "secondary" things perfected: he knew the law, he tried to obey the commandments, he prayed, and he was a respected religious leader. Yet, Jesus bypassed all of his credentials and went straight to identity and spiritual rebirth: "You must be born again" (John 3:7). Jesus forced Nicodemus to assess his actual standing with God beyond his religious resume, which is exactly the aim of this strategy.

So, what happened to Nicodemus after this profound confrontation? The Gospel of John reveals a beautiful, gradual transformation. Later, he defended Jesus before the hostile Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). Ultimately, after the crucifixion, when even the closest disciples had fled, Nicodemus stepped forward alongside Joseph of Arimathea to lovingly prepare Jesus' body for burial, bringing an extravagant amount of spices (John 19:39). The man who initially approached Jesus under the cover of night, relying on his religious status, was transformed into a devoted follower who publicly identified with Christ when it was most dangerous to do so.

Case Study B: Challenging False Assurance (John 8)

In John 8:39-44, Jesus speaks to religious leaders who confidently claimed, "The only Father we have is God himself." Jesus dismantled this false confidence, showing them that their actions and rejection of truth proved otherwise. The strategy of asking people to deeply assess their confidence in their identity does exactly this—it helps strip away the false assurance built on mere religious habit or cultural Christianity.

In stark contrast to Nicodemus, what happened to these religious leaders who refused to let go of their false assurance? Because they fiercely protected their heritage and religious performance rather than humbly receiving the truth, their hearts hardened further. Instead of seeking true spiritual adoption, they doubled down on their self-righteousness and ultimately conspired to crucify the very Son of God who stood before them. This serves as a sobering reminder of how dangerous it is to cling to a performative identity rather than submitting to true spiritual rebirth.

Part 2: Why This Approach is Powerful

1. It Bypasses "Church Baggage": Many people have been hurt by churches or turned off by the hypocrisy of religious institutions. By starting with "Are you a child of God?", it bypasses the institution and focuses entirely on the personal, spiritual reality.

• Biblical Cross-Reference — Galatians 4:6-7: "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." This moves the focus away from religious slavery and institutional rules to an intimate, direct family relationship.

2. It Addresses the Core Human Longing: Every human being desires to belong, to be loved unconditionally, and to have a secure identity. "Child of God" speaks directly to the heart's deepest ache for a perfect Father.

• Biblical Cross-Reference — 1 John 3:1: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" This highlights the profound, unconditional love and absolute belonging attached to this specific identity.

3. It Exposes "Performative Christianity": When asking someone if they are a child of God, those relying on their works will usually answer with what they do ("Well, I try to be a good person," "I go to church"). This provides a clear diagnostic tool and an opening to explain that being a child is about birth and adoption, not about employment or performance.

• Biblical Cross-Reference — Titus 3:5: "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This clearly contrasts human performance ("righteous things we had done") with the true requirement of spiritual DNA ("rebirth and renewal").

Part 3: The Conversational Framework

Here is how this approach can flow in actual conversations, step-by-step:

Step 1: The Diagnostic Question

The goal is to gently provoke deep self-reflection. Consider using questions like:

• "If you were to assess your spiritual life right now, do you have absolute confidence that you have the right to be called a child of God?"

• "Many people believe we are all God's creations, but the Bible makes a distinction about being God's children. Have you ever explored what it means to actually become a child of God?"

Step 2: The Deep Assessment (Listening Phase)

It is crucial to listen carefully to why they think they are or aren't. As they share their thoughts, gently probe their source of assurance by asking:

• "How confident are you that what you have done has made you a child of God? Or at least, is that what you are hoping?"

• Diagnostic check: If they list their good deeds, church attendance, or moral efforts in response, it effectively reveals that they view God as an employer rewarding good work, rather than a Father adopting a helpless child.

• Biblical Cross-Reference — Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This verse is a vital anchor here; it clearly dismantles the idea that anyone can become a child of God through their own efforts or good deeds.

Step 3: The Pivot to Jesus (The "How")

Choosing to talk about Jesus "not straight away" serves as a great hook. Starting with the Destination (becoming a child of God) builds a desire for it. Once they realize they lack the true confidence of that identity, the Path can be naturally introduced.

This is where John 1:12 comes back in. One might share a personal realization like:

• "I used to think being God's child was about going to church or being good. But I found out it's actually a legal right that has to be granted to us. The Bible says that right is only given to those who receive Jesus. He is the one who opens the door to the family."

To answer the critical questions of when, how, and where a person actually receives this right, we can point them directly to Scripture:

• Biblical Cross-Reference — Romans 10:9-10: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

This beautifully maps out the moment of adoption:

• Where it happens: In the heart (genuine internal belief) and the mouth (outward confession). It is an internal spiritual reality that yields a public, outward declaration.

• How it happens: By faith—believing in Christ's resurrection and submitting to Him as Lord.

• When it happens: The exact moment a person genuinely believes, calls upon His name, and pledges their life to Him. Scripture profoundly connects this spiritual milestone to baptism. As 1 Peter 3:21 states, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God." It is in this defining moment of genuine faith and obedience, relying entirely on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that a person immediately crosses over from death into God's eternal family.

Part 4: The Verification—Proof of the DNA (Challenge or Confirmation)

Once the path has been made clear, we must pose a final challenge or confirmation, depending on where the person currently stands. How do we literally verify if Christ's DNA has been successfully installed into a person's life?

The closest, most accurate verification is the presence of the Holy Spirit, made visible through the Fruit of the Spirit and a transformed lifestyle.

• The Promise of the Counselor: Jesus explicitly promised that those who belong to Him would not be left alone; He would send His own Spirit to dwell within them. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16-17).

• The Fulfillment: This was promised again in Acts 2:38, where Peter declared that those who repent and are baptized will "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

• The Visible Proof: The Holy Spirit is not merely an abstract feeling; He produces literal, verifiable traits in a believer's life. We can test for this spiritual DNA by looking at Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Based on their spiritual state, we can use this to lovingly confront them:

• The Challenge (For the seeker): If they have just realized they are not yet a child of God, we can challenge them with this beautiful reality: God doesn't expect you to change your own nature first. We can invite them to receive this new spiritual DNA immediately:

• D — Dip into the water to receive what was promised: Do not hesitate to step out in obedience. In baptism, we submit to God to wash away our sins and receive the gift of His Spirit.

• Cross-Reference — Acts 2:38: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

• N — Never wait until you become better: Do not delay thinking you need to fix your life or clean yourself up first, because it is God Himself who will work in you and make you do good.

• Cross-Reference — Philippians 2:13: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

• A — Accept Jesus Christ now: Today is the day of salvation. There is no better time than the present to receive Him and be adopted into His family.

• Cross-Reference — 2 Corinthians 6:2: "For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

• The Confirmation (For the assumed believer): If they confidently claim to already be a child of God, this serves as a gentle but piercing mirror. "If we truly have God's spiritual genetic code installed in us, our lives will naturally produce His fruit and follow His design." We can look closely to see if this spiritual DNA is actively operating in their lives:

• D — Disciple making disciples: A true child of God reproduces spiritually. Are they actively sharing their faith and helping others follow Jesus?

• Cross-Reference — Matthew 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."

• N — Never neglects the gathering of one another: A child of God naturally loves their spiritual family and prioritizes being physically present with them.

• Cross-Reference — Hebrews 10:25: "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

• A — Actively helps in the perfecting of the saints: They don't just consume; they contribute their gifts to the growth and maturity of the church body.

• Cross-Reference — Ephesians 4:12: "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

If this DNA and the Fruit of the Spirit are entirely absent, it brings them back to Step 1 to honestly reassess their true spiritual state.

Conclusion

Preaching the Gospel is our ultimate calling, but we must be wise in how we build the bridge to get there. If we can help a person stop obsessing over whether they are a "good person" or a "good churchgoer," and instead wrestle with whether they have truly been adopted into God's family, they are brought right to the doorstep of the Gospel. Testing for Christ's DNA is the ultimate diagnostic for the human soul.