Soul Winning Dr . W . A . Waldo Solomon said , “ He that winneth souls is wise ” ( Prov . 11:30 ). This expression is one of the “ diamond gems of inspiration ,” having for the theme the salvation of humanity .
As man was instrumental in the ruin of the race , so shall he be in its salvation — the divine and the human cooperating in the glorious service . When a soul is born into the kingdom of Christ , the first impulse of the renewed man is to strive to save others from the same destruction to which he was tending ; and thus he prays :
Oh , strengthen me that while I stand
Firm on a rock and strong in Thee
I may stretch forth a loving hand To wrestlers with the troubled sea .
— Frances R . Havergal
To win souls to Christ should be the greatest aspiration of every child of God and with untiring zeal should the highest preparation be sought . While many qualifications are desirable , some few are imper - ative in order to be a soul winner .
1 . A certainty of one ’ s own salvation . No one can teach another about salvation unless he has known it himself . It is not simply an experience of a good life that is necessary but an experience of a personal relationship with God , secured through the atonement of Jesus Christ .
Paul had no doubt about his salvation ; therefore , we hear him say , here and there , through his epistles , “ I am persuaded ”; “ I know .”
When Dr . Alexander was on his deathbed , he sent for an old class - mate to come and visit him . When he came he requested him to quote one of the precious promises from the Bible .
The one selected was “ I know in whom I have believed .”
“ No ,” said Dr . Alexander , “ that is not right . It is this way : ‘ I know
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whom I have believed .’ I do not want even as much as that little word ‘ in ’ to come between me and my Lord .”
The Christian who possesses this intimate knowledge of Jesus can easily impart it to others .
2 . A consistent , godly life . Paul , in addressing the Christians at Corinth , said : “ Ye are our epistle written in our hearts , known and read of all men ” ( II Cor . 3:2 ).
A bright youth was once asked , “ Under whose preaching were you converted ?” His reply was , “ Nobody ’ s . It was under my aunt ’ s practicing that I was converted .”
A life conformed to the life of Christ is a wonderful power in winning souls to God .
3 . A Spirit-filled life . A spiritual work calls for spiritual workmen . Christ told His disciples , “ Ye shall receive power , after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you : and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem , and in all Judæa , and in Samaria , and unto the uttermost part of the earth ” ( Acts 1:8 ).
Spirit-filled men have ever been men full of zeal and power . On the tomb of Basil is this remarkable sentence :“ His words were thunder and his life , lightning .”
Few men won more souls to Christ in his day than Richard Baxter . What was his secret ? He was filled with the Holy Spirit . His biographer said , “ Baxter would have set the world on fire while another was lighting a match . He preached as though he should never preach again , as a dying man to dying men .”
A touch of the dynamic energy of the Holy Spirit is what we require if we are to win souls to Christ and turn the channels of spirituality into the lives of men .
These qualifications are imper - ative and if possessed will render us powerful in being soul winners faithful and true .
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That Kiss Made Him a Missionary Dr . Joseph Parker said that when Robert Moffat was added to the kingdom of God , a whole continent was added with him . A mother ’ s kiss did it .
He was leaving home , and his mother was going with him part of the way . At last she could walk no farther , and she stopped . “ Robert ,” she said , “ promise me something .”
“ What ?” asked the boy .
“ Promise me something ,” she said again .
He replied , “ You will have to tell me before I will promise .”
“ It is something you can easily do ,” she said . “ Promise your mother .”
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He looked into her face and said , “ Very well , Mother , I will do anything you wish .”
She clasped her hands behind his head , pulled his face down to hers and said , “ Robert , you are going out into a wicked world . Begin every day with God . Close every day with God .” Then she kissed him .
Robert Moffat said it was that kiss that made him a missionary .
— Copied
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“ Thou Remainest !” When winter reigns and flowers are dead And songbirds with their songs have fled , When trees are etched on leaden skies And poverty in anguish cries And funeral trains go o ’ er the snow , O God , how good it is to know — That Thou remainest !
When man his courage would reveal ,
When he would build his towers of steel And granite blocks to pierce the sky And would the hand of time defy ; While here is strength , yet he doth know That these as well someday must go ; For ruins fill the ancient world , And to the depth man ’ s pride is hurled , But Thou remainest !
Why should I grieve and be afraid
When in the grave my hopes are laid ?
Well do I know that death must be
Unless my Lord shall come for me ;
Therefore , build I my life on Thee ,
Foundation of eternity — For Thou remainest !
— J . G . W . Kirschner
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Plus Ultra In days when Spain was the world ’ s leading power , she gave expression to her arrogant pride by an inscription on her coin : Ne Plus Ultra , meaning “ nothing further .” It was thought that when one had seen Spain , there was nothing more to see ; he had reached earth ’ s limits .
But Christopher Columbus sponsored the idea that there was another continent beyond the confines of Spain . His belief led to speech and action . He was considered a fanatic , yet he pressed on amidst all opposition until he discovered the new continent . Then Spain was obliged to change her inscription on her coin to read Plus Ultra , which means “ more beyond .”
Many Christians seem to think that because they are saved they have everything needful . Their Bibles are full of directions as to how they may find richer experiences , but they disregard the chart . They neglect the means of grace whereby they might “ come in the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God , unto a perfect man , unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ ” ( Eph . 4:13 ).
Let our motto ever be plus ultra —“ more beyond .” ❚
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