The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree
of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Christians who take the time
to convert sinners from the error of their ways to the righteousness of
Christ display the greatest wisdom and shine the brightest. This being
the case, it would be foolish not to be a winner of souls! Would you say
that your influence upon this earth is one that cultivates spiritual life?
I know we could all improve in this matter of leading people to Christ.
Let's study the gospel of John Chapter 1, the portrait of a true soul
winner…
A SOUL WINNER RECOGNIZES WHO GOD IS
Verse 1:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
What is the relationship between the Word and God?
THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME!
What insights can you gain from seeing Jesus as God's Word?
IT WILL BECOME OUR AUTHORITY!
1. At the beginning of the day
2. All throughout the day
3. Over all we do
1 John 1:1
...that which our hands have handled...
Is the Word with you in the beginning of each day, dear lady? Have you
handled it wisely and reverently? Have you shared any of it? God's Word
must be picked up, prayed over, pointed out and passed out! If you lack
direction, all you have to do is follow Christ! He calls us to action…
Matthew 4:19
FOLLOW ME, and I will make you fishers of men.
Follow Christ and He will make you a soul winner....
Verse 2:
The same was in the beginning with God.
As we consider the word "beginning", it is defined as the first entering
upon. In applying that understanding to the foundation of this world,
truth and wisdom are the very first things that filled it! And it should
be the first thing that fills our world as well…
Ps. 111:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..."
Ps. 119:160, "Thy Word is true from the beginning...."
Ladies, the beginning of anything ought to be founded upon the Lord! Events
such as a new school year, friendships, marriage, career decisions, moving
into a new home, starting a family are all examples of initial stages
we face. God didn't wait to establish truth with us - He declared it from
the beginning!! Tell your friends, tell your teacher, tell your boss,
tell your neighbor etc. you are a Christian from the start! If you are
single, tell the gentleman who is interested in you… Most of the trouble
we get into is because we don't, from the beginning, declare the Lord!
We must build upon a godly foundation in our lives. Is there someone you
have neglected to acquaint with the Lord?
Isaiah 40:21, "...hath it not been told you from the beginning..."
John 8:25, "...Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning...."
Why must we declare the Lord from the beginning? Because of what John
8:44 says about Satan:
....He was a murderer from the beginning....
The devil sets out to destroy that which God has established, that which
we purpose in our hearts to get underway for the glory of God. He desires
to murder the life of Christ in us!! Life is found in Christ, and Satan
desires to keep us from becoming soul winners because he enjoys seeing
people die and go to hell. Don't make his job easier! As Paul said, when
we would do good, evil will also be present with us. Therefore, new beginnings
must be bathed in sober resolution to the end that souls may be saved!
Verse 3:
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that
was made.
Happy marriages, happy homes, disciplined lives, overcoming the flesh
and even becoming a successful soul winner is not possible apart from
Christ! God can cause that which never existed before to obtain life.
A true witness can be trusted because they have close personal contact
with the Savior. Are you giving true allegiance to Jesus?
Colossians 1:17-19
And he is before all things, and BY HIM all things consist....for it pleased
the Father that IN HIM should all fulness dwell.
Verse 4:
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
A life in Christ brings truth and wisdom to our hearts and minds. We are
to be dependent upon Jesus, for He brings the light of good sense to us!
Consequently, our lives can be conducted in a noticeable and effective
manner as a witness.
Verse 5:
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness COMPREHENDED IT NOT.
Ladies, the world does not understand that eternal life is in Christ.
As Christians, we do. And as soul winners, we are to call their attention
to that light. It's that simple! Darkness shuts out the occasion to see
any good. Shine brightly! Be a radiant steward of the truth you have grasped.
1 John 5:20
And we KNOW that the son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,
that we may know him that is true....
A SOUL WINNER RECOGNIZES WHO HE IS
Verse 6:
THERE WAS A MAN SENT from God, whose name is John.
God sees the lost and their lack of comprehension of eternal life through
His Son. He is not willing that any should perish and therefore sends
us! Yes, a soul winner is sent from God.... We are part of His plan to
reach the lost and make them wise unto salvation. Put your name in John's
place in that verse.... How do you feel about the responsibility of being
sent? Will you obey God and communicate the truth to others?? Aren't you
glad Jesus obeyed God when He was sent?? Aren't you glad God loved us
enough to send Christ?? How can we receive so much and shut up our bowels
of mercy toward the lost....
1 John 4:9-10
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God SENT
his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and SENT
his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The word "manifested" means to come out in the open. Far too many of God's
people are in hiding! They have the truth but keep it a secret. Love brings
it out…
Verse 7:
THE SAME CAME for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men
through him might believe.
As a Christian - John was sent. As a soul winner - John went! He had a
burden for lost souls because of his love for Christ. A soul winner is
not sidetracked but single-minded.... John's purpose for approaching the
lost was to simply bear witness of the Light, not to sit around and share
his opinion about matters or to get into a debate! He wasn't turned off
by the appearance of others, had no room in his heart for prejudices,
and was not picky about whom to approach. All men are to be reached, amen?
Stay focused as a soul-winner!
1 John 4:14
And we have seen and DO TESTIFY that the Father SENT the Son to be the
Saviour of the world.
By the way, being a soul winner is an active lifestyle - not just a one-time
event! Just because you may have led one soul to the Lord does not mean
you are exempt from further duty! Do you STILL testify of Christ, ye who
have led a soul to the Lord??
Verse 8:
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
As a soul winner, John did not try to take people's eyes off of Christ
and put them on him. People did not distract him, nor did he want them
to be distracted by him... John did not try to impress people with his
attributes but only wanted them to be impressed with Christ's! A true
soul winner is not distracted by his own glow! John had nothing to say
about himself because he was sent to talk about Jesus!!
John 10:41
...And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all
things that John spake of this man were true.
Though he was not a miracle worker, John understood the importance of
keeping a pure testimony so as not to diminish the light of Christ! As
a Christian, are you more caught up with sensation and phenomenon, or
faithfulness to God?
John 5:35a
He was a burning and a shining light…
In closing, there are countless Christians who are zealous for God, but
they don't shine. Their lives lack wisdom. On the other hand, there are
many that shine, but lack zeal and that is nothing more than vanity. Very
few burn and shine for God. Many do neither. John was one of the few.
Because of his witness, many were led to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Which group do you belong in? Is your life the portrait of a soul winner?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
