Soul winning is the main purpose of a Christian’s life!
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).
The word “saints” here refers to every born again Christian. The men in verse eleven are given to equip the Christians “for the work of the ministry.” What is “the work of the ministry”? It is to make “increase of the body” (Ephesians 4:16). Evangelists are given to the church to make soul winners out of Christians…Evangelists, along with apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers, make ‘increase of the body.’ This necessarily means that [they] make Christians into soul winners, make churches into soul-winning churches”
After all, isn’t soul winning the main “work of the ministry”? Isn’t bringing the lost into the local church to hear the Gospel preached the only way we can edify (Greek: oikodomēn, “build up,)“the body of Christ,” the local church? Isn’t soul winning the only way to make “increase of the body”? (Ephesians 4:16).
I believe that soul winning is the main “work of the ministry.” Christ Himself gave soul winning as the main “work” of Christians in the Great Commission, in Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23; 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8 and many other places in the New Testament.
We have to say, that in the Bible, the main goal of anyone who is “created in Christ Jesus” is to win souls.
Soul winning is obviously the most important matter that can occupy the mind and effort of Christians…One man has been “tormented” in the flames of Hell for…two thousand years, according to the words of the Lord Jesus [in Luke 16:19-31] begging even for a drop of water which he has never received. Who can think of anything so important as saving souls?
We know that Christ commanded…every Christian to win souls. We know that it was the practice of New Testament Christians to go everywhere [winning souls]…Even new converts who had no training whatever went immediately about this holy task. When we consider the matter well, we come to see that the duty of soul winning is inherent in the very nature of Christianity…How can anybody claim to love the Lord Jesus well who does not set out to love what Jesus loves, and do what Jesus does, and have concern and compassion over the very thing dearest to the heart of the Saviour?…It is the plan of God that every Christian should win souls.
1. Because God Commands It
Soulwinning is not an option. It is not a spiritual gift. It is not a church growth program. It is a clear, unequivocal, unavoidable command of God.
Because It Glorifies God
John 15:8 says:“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” There are those who say that our prime motivation is not to win people to Christ but to glorify God. I do not disagree with them, but I must remind them that the Bible clearly says God is glorified when we bring forth much fruit.
Because It Is a Timeless Principle
Even a casual reading of the Word of God will convince you that it has always been right for people who know God to tell people who don’t know God about God. Remember, it is an Old Testament verse that says, “He that winneth souls is wise.”
Because We Must Face Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 (emphasis mine)
Because Our Hands Will Be Stained with the Blood of the Lost We Don’t Tell
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him no warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18