Soul winning
How to be an effective soul winner
Luke 14:23
Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
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What comes to mind when you hear Soul winning? Does it mean walking up to someone to preach the message of salvation to them? Does it also mean inviting someone to church? And does it mean living a life that brings people to the knowledge of Christ?
Yes, all these are various forms of Soul winning.
The purpose of soul-winning is to bring people to the knowledge of the finished work of Christ.
With so much chaos going on, multitudes are in search of peace. Solace. A resting place. Calmness to turbulent storms. A piece of ice to quench the fire.
You would be amazed at the number of people going through hard times alone.
Soul winning is directly expressing love to your neighbor. Which is, bringing the message of truth to someone that needs it.
The greatest commandment is love. We have been asked in John 13:34 to love one another just as Christ has loved us. When we bring someone to the knowledge of Christ, we have just expressed the highest form of love.
As a Christain, you have so many testimonies of the goodness of God in your life. Truthfully, Christianity is the sweetness of life. It's a gift to mankind. Why enjoy the beauty of serving God alone, when you could bring a million others to experience it?
Acts 22:15
For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
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Winning a soul has so much impact, such that, you may have saved a soul from death, just by telling them about Jesus. Given a soul a reason to live. Helped someone realize their purpose on earth. Even helped a whole community gain a better livelihood. Just because they came to the knowledge of Christ.
The message of salvation offers all these and more. It is extremely important as a Christian, to bring people we meet to the knowledge of Christ.
Trodding around roads, are destinies that could bring so much change to the world if fed with the right knowledge.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
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The blueprint to knowing the way around life is by knowing God.
Knowing Jesus has brought me peace. I have been able to waft through storms unfazed because I was confident that I would come out victorious. I have the life of God in me. And that's everything and more.
Why we should win souls?
It is our responsibility as Christians
Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
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Jesus commissioned us to go into the world and preach the Gospel. Verse 16 highlights that 'he who believes' will be saved, and 'he who does not believe' will be condemned.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
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As Christians and as believers, we must bring unbelievers to the knowledge of this truth.
It's an expression of love
As Christians, we must develop a heart of love and forbearance toward our friends, our neighbors, and especially, strangers.
Soul winning is a great way to exercise the God kind of love.
Imagine what happens when you realize that talking to someone about Christ saved them from a major life crisis. Me, I will be elated, to say the least!
There is a deep feeling of fulfillment and an urge for more that comes to you when you get someone to embrace the light of the word. Especially when you hear their testimonies.
There is even more joy in heaven when a lost soul is brought back to God.
Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
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We should be passionate about soul-winning because any soul that doesn't believe in Jesus is a lost soul. One which must be saved. And it is our duty as believers to bring them the message of salvation.
Matthew 9:36
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
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How to be an effective soul winner
Have an active spiritual life
A strong relationship with the holy spirit helps us as believers. Winning some souls as we know may seem hopeless sometimes, but the holy spirit touches the hearts of whoever we bring the message of salvation to.
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
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The spirit makes them more receptive to the word, and in turn, puts the right words in our mouths, while reaching out to them.
Mark 13:11
But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
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It is important to pray effectively for souls you want to win for Christ. The Holy Spirit eases the process. And leaves us as more mature Christians after each experience.
Absence of pride
When you walk up to someone. A stranger or a friend. To preach the message of salvation to them, and you are welcomed with rudeness. What do you do?
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
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Retaliating or saying the wrong words at that point is not the way to go. Our feelings may be hurt but we should always remember that the end is greater than the beginning. This person experiencing God should be our motivation.
Ephesians 4:1-2
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
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We must approach soul-winning with utmost humility and patience.
Do not discriminate
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
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The gospel of salvation is for everyone. Big or small, young or old. No matter the kind of life a person lives and no matter how they appear.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
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Jesus died so that everyone may be saved. Not specific people. Everyone.
Be a reflection of Christ
Live the word. An unbeliever should be inspired by how we live our lives.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Our lives as Christians and as believers should be living epistles of the gospel. We are ambassadors of Christ, and we must carry ourselves as such.
Soul-winning should be a lifestyle for us as believers. We should always be on the quest to bring lost souls to the knowledge of Christ.
Christianity is beautiful, but everyone doesn't know this. Therefore, we must bring as many souls as our capacities can muster to this knowledge. In these trying times, one of the most amazing things to do is to become effective soul winners.
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
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