Bible a Reading: 2 Chron. 16; 1 Thes. 2:1-10
“So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV)
Politics is a game of numbers. The more votes you get compared with your opposition, the better you are. In a developed system, winning voters from other parties is expected to be based on convictions of a better platform among many others.
That is the case with soul winning in the Christendom. Because we know that serving God is far better than serving the devil, we are to make conscious efforts to ensure we win several souls from the kingdom of the devil to God’s kingdom.
We should not take winning souls with levity as the kingdom of the devil does not rest on its oars. It continues to tell lies and show its victims the glittering side of serving it. It keeps recruiting more un-discerning victims.
This is why Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV): “So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
Apostle Paul showed in the above verse that he did not only lovingly preached the gospel to the Thessalonians, but also were ready to give anything, including their lives, to win the souls of the Thessalonians for Christ. Such level of commitment to winning souls is what is expected of us as believers.
That will enable us to win the souls for Christ and also ensure that they abide by a rigorous follow up. One of the key blessings of winning a soul and the soul abiding in Christ is that the winner’s prayers would be answered. John 15:16 (KJV) says: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Knowing the level of commitment needed in this assignment as well as the blessings associated with it, the bible states in Proverbs 11:30 (KJV): “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Prayer: Father, as I win souls for your kingdom, let all my prayers be answered speedily in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero