Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 19-21 Luke 15:11-32.
Memory Verse: “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:32 (KJV).
Almost three decades ago, one of my sons left home because of the fear that I would punish him for his poor academic performance and he did not come home all through the night! Both myself and my wife, the mother were worried. We had not scolded him yet, he had never left home overnight before and he didn’t know many places around. Beside, we did not have any relative in Lagos at that time that he could go to. The initial anger turned to worry, then to fear and all through the night we couldn’t sleep. We called all the people we thought he might go to though we didn’t expect him there, went out to search for him nearby and none yielded the desired result, We prayed and waited all through the long night planning the next line of action only for him to walk back home the following morning! We were overjoyed and the anger, fear and worry disappeared. He was a lost and found child.
So I know how the father of the prodigal son would have felt when he saw him. Nobody will like to lose his child! Similarly all unbelievers are like lost children because they have left the home of their father and are wandering all over the world. It is therefore a thing of Joy if any of such comes back home by giving his life to Christ! The vessel who God uses to bring such a person back home will be appreciated because he has brought joy to heaven. It is certainly a wise thing to do. Proverbs 11:30 (KJV) states, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Heaven rejoices at every unbeliever that gives his life to Christ because it is a great home coming. The Lord Jesus says in Luke 15:10 (KJV) “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
So, knowing that this brings Joy to heaven should motivate every Christian to make efforts at winning souls to Christ. When last did you win a soul to God? Remember what will be said whenever an unbeliever repents and gives his life to Christ: “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:32 (KJV)
But it is generally said that you cannot give what you do not have. How grounded are you in the word of God? You need to study the word regularly so that you can also teach others on the things of God, and therefore, confident to preach the gospel to others. It’s important to note that it’s not your ability to speak that wins souls to Christ but the Holy Spirit. ( Zechariah 4:6) . So please pray and commit the exercise to God before embarking on soul winning. It is a spiritual and not physical exercise. May God bless you greatly as you obey his command to win souls unto him ( Mark 16:15).
Action Point: Ensure you preach the gospel to at least one person today and follow him up till he repents and give his life to Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero