I encourage you to read 1Cor 9:19-23. Verse 22 says, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Our aim should be to win souls; to win people to Christ. This is the chief duty of the disciple of Christ. I will not say, as some do, that this is our sole reason for existing. We exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. But it is a chief duty - no, privilege - as a disciple of Jesus to win souls. It is something we can ONLY do now - in this life.
This was - and is - Jesus' initial calling to His disciples. He stated, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers, or catchers, of men. They then forsook all and followed Him (Mt 4:19-20, Lk 5:10-11, Mk 1:17-18). Are you a disciple - a follower of Jesus? Then you are to be a fisher of men. Jesus' name means “God saves” (Matt 1:21). Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1Tim 1:15). He came to seek and to save the lost (Lk 19:10). Jesus is able to save completely & thoroughly those who come to God by Him (Heb 7:25). To save the lost: This was and is Jesus' mission; and as disciples, it is our commission.
Jesus' last words to His disciples were to go into all the world and preach the Gospel and to teach all nations to observe what Jesus taught (Mt 28:19-20, Mk 16:15-18). So we see that Jesus’ first call and final command was to catch and to teach men the gospel. How are sinners going to get saved? Through preaching the Gospel. 1Co1:21 - For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Jam 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Soul winners are wise and are to be wise. Pro 11:30 - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise. A soul winner is wise because he obeys the command of Jesus. He is to be wise in how he does it. Paul says in 1Cor 9:22 & Rom 11:24 that “By all means” he may save some. There are different means of reaching sinners (Jude 1:22-23). Some are intellectual, and need academic answers. Some our self righteous and need to be broken by God’s law. Some are already under conviction, and need grace and compassion. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in order to be wise in reaching people for Christ.
Remember, sinners oppose themselves! (2Tim 2:24-26) This will help you to be merciful and patient in dealing with them. Like Paul in Athens, instead of calling them all idiots because they were a bunch of idol worshippers, he instead found a common ground by which he could expound Jesus, which was there altar to the “unknown” god (Acts 17:16-34). This was his door to try and win men to Christ. His attempt to “save some”. We can’t save everyone - but we can save some. We can take someone with us to Heaven.
Paul lived for saving souls. He told Pastor Timothy to keep preaching the Word, so that he would save himself and those who heard him (1Tim 4:16). He hoped to provoke his people according to the flesh, the Jews, to jealousy - that he might save some of them (Rom 11:14). He even believed being an example in order to save your spouse’s soul was more important than your personal happiness (1Cor 7:16). Wow. That kind of commitment is a far cry from today’s “no cost” theology. Paul received his joy in the fact that his beloved churches would receive salvation in the day of Christ Jesus (1Thess 2:19-20).
Soul winners also disciple. Jam 5:19-20 - Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Soul winners not only try to win the lost, but also Christians who have strayed from the truth. Uncorrected error could lead to death. We are to turn the straying Christian back to the narrow path.
Soul winners will receive a reward (Dan 12:1-3). They will shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars for ever and ever. What a glorious promise. I think perhaps the church has made things to difficult in some ways. We do not need more gimmicks or programs. We need to live as disciples, and walk worthy of our vocation (Eph 4:1). We have a calling, and it is to, by all means, save some.
I will close with this: We should not judge each other’s means, but only fruit. The Gospel is unchanging. God’s Word is eternal. But the means we use can vary drastically. As long as the means we use do not violate God’s Word or our conscience, we are free to use WHAT WORKS! Our aim is to save souls. Our aim is to win the minds and hearts of people to Jesus. One on one, calls, tracts, emails, FB, Instagram, signs, prayer meetings, forums, church services, newspaper, web, sports, work, etc. - use whatever means you can. Speak the fullness of the Gospel in sincerity, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!
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