Wise soul winning
He who wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30)
I used to work with a very cheerful and outgoing colleague. He was always at the centre of every conversation and was a likeable man. But at the mention of God, he became outraged. If a disaster was in the news, he invariably blamed it on the God he didn’t believe existed. Although we got on well together, he made it very clear he was not at all sympathetic to my faith. I worked with him for several years. One day we had lunch together, and for the very first time, he spoke with me about my faith in Christ. I remember the sense of excitement I had as the conversation developed. As we talked, another man, who was a Christian, sat with us. As he listened to our conversation, he joined in and in a very pointed way started speaking to my friend whom he had never met. Within moments my colleague left the table. I never got the same opportunity again to talk with a man who needed the Lord so much.
During the lockdown, I have thought a lot about personal evangelism. The earliest Christians blended their witness into their everyday lives. Of course, we know God worked powerfully at Pentecost and in Jerusalem, bringing thousands to faith in the Lord Jesus. But even this was based on a relationship with His people. This evangelism continued through the ministries of Philip, and the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas and men like Silas. But it is essential to look at the extraordinary backdrop to this evangelism. Centuries before, God had exiled His people, first in Assyria, then in Babylon, and scattered them further still. The extensive network of Jewish synagogues throughout Europe and the Near East emerged from those events. In the wisdom of God and through the judgement of His people, in grace He created places which became the starting points of Gospel outreach.
God always has a starting point in people’s lives. This is, in the main, based upon relationships. He communicates through them even when they are damaged. The Lord Jesus connected with people in everyday situations. He understood them as individuals and reached out to them in their circumstances with the message of salvation. He did this in divine wisdom. Jesus was able to bring anyone to their knees by the glory of His presence. He did that with Paul. But He did not do this very often. He brought people to Himself by drawing near to them, understanding them and ministering to their needs.
If we are to lead others to Christ, we have to follow the Saviour’s pattern. The grace of God always has a potent edge to it. The lives of Christians are meant to be challenging. Paul writes, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6). Paul speaks about the wisdom we need and the opportunities we should make and take to witness for the Saviour. Then he talks about our words being gracious, but at the same time always presenting the challenge and the blessing of the Gospel.
May God revive in our hearts the desire to win souls for Christ, to see the opportunities He presents, and give us the wisdom of the Saviour to share His love.
