The American way is one of convenience and ease or at least that is what we expect. This is readily apparent with people start complaining when they wait more than 90 seconds in a McDonald’s drive-thru for a Big Mac. Americans want it now and they want it to be easy. Yet, when it comes to winning souls to Jesus Christ there are no convenience plans—no shortcuts. Being a soul winner means taking up your cross and being willing following Christ. (Luke 14:27) As Jesus was choosing His disciples, he called to Peter and his brother Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” While I believe that soul winning training is vital and important for every believer, nothing can replace the training one will get from daily following Jesus—being His disciple. There are no shortcuts around it. If you want to win souls, start following of Jesus. Fall in love with Jesus!
Follow Him in His Mission
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Christ entire purpose in coming to earth was to see lost and sinful men repent and turn to Him for salvation. He prioritized this mission. All through His ministry He was laser focused on His mission.
Follow Him in His Sacrifice
1 Corinthians 5:7 “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us…” Are you willing to sacrifice? Jesus gave his life for us. He endured all the pain of death so that we could enjoy the power of new life in Him. If our Lord sacrificed his life, could we not sacrifice our time, talents, comfort and preferences to be fishers of men? Lets not fool ourselves, if we preach the same message that Christ preached while here on earth, it will require sacrifice. Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake…”
Follow Him in His Love
Have you stopped to think of all that Jesus has done for you, all that love He has poured out on your life? He died in your place. He moment by moment intercedes for you. He guides you through the Spirit. He does not give up when you refuse to hear Him. He loves you! How much we ought to love others as He has love us. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ constraineth us…” Paul followed Jesus in His love for the lost. Does Christ love constrain you to be a faithful witness?
Follow Him in His Compassion
Over and over we see Christ throughout His ministry stop and show compassion on the lost. He did not judge them, he cared for them. He fed them, healed them, took time with them and forgave them. It is easy for believers to look on the needs of the lost and be cynical and judgmental when our Lord would have us to show compassion. Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
What happens to you when you see the lost? Do you focus on the marks of a life without Jesus? The emptiness of their souls? The bondage of their sin? Ask Christ to fill your heart with His compassion for their souls. All throughout our neighborhoods and cities are lost people who just like the impotent man in John 5:7 say, “…I have no man…” No man who will care about their soul enough to show them the way to have peace in life and hope beyond the grave. God help us to be followers of Christ and fishers of men.
Josiah Kagin 