"He who wins souls is wise" (Prov 11:30)
Soulwinning is the greatest job on earth. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mk 8:36). Soulwinning is the wisest business in the world. For who is wiser than he who prepares his neighbour for eternity? (Prov 11:30; Dan 12:3). Soulwinning is the happiest occupation. For what is comparable to the joy of a shepherd who found his lost sheep? (Lk 15:5-7,9,10,23,24). Soulwinning is the loftiest mission to mankind. For what is more honourable than being God's ambassadors to bring men His message of joy and peace? (2 Cor 5:18-20). Soulwinning has the widest scope of all Christian activities. For which Christian cannot do it, which place is not suitable, and what time is not convenient?
The first and most important step of evangelism is to walk the talk. The best argument for Christianity is Christians. But alas, the strongest argument against Christianity is Christians. What we say and how we live must agree. The soulwinner presents Jesus as the Saviour from sins. If he himself does not enjoy victory over sin, it is like a bald man promoting hair oil! The clean life of Paul and the clear message of the Gospel coupled together made a corrupt governor tremble (Acts 24:16, 24,25).
This of course does not mean that one should wait until he becomes perfect. A candle does not begin to shine after it's half burned. No, it shines as soon as it's lit! The point is, the soulwinner must not continue in sin. He must walk honestly before God and man. All known sins must be instantly confessed and forsaken. He should be a sanctified vessel useful for the Master (2 Tim 2:21). Fishermen do not consider mending of nets a waste of time. Before launching out into the sea, they check up their nets. So also we should regularly examine ourselves with the searchlight of the Scriptures and the Spirit.
The soulwinner is a shepherd. He goes after the scattered sheep and the lost lambs. His prime mover is compassion (Mt 9:36). The indispensability of this character is understood by the fact that the Risen Lord, before commissioning Peter, questioned him thrice concerning love (Jn 21:15-17). Love for the Lord and that for the lost are mutually inclusive. Unless we love our neighbours as ourselves we will not muster all that's within us to stop them rushing into hell. General William Booth (1829-1912), the founder of Salvation Army, insisted that every soulwinner must have a vision of the horror of hell. Did not the rich man plead from hell to send Lazarus to earth to convert his five hell-bound brothers? (Lk 16:27,28)
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