> General Discussions

Can we win souls for Christ?

(1/6) > >>

onelovedread:
I just thought I'd share a bit of this wonderful study by Ray. We were so brain washed in our church past about being required to go out to "witness" or "preach" souls into the Kingdom. Now we know that God draws people as a result of these things, but we were made to believe that it is we who "get them saved."
I used to feel so guilty because I wasn't doing anything to "save" people. Aren't we here to let our light shine?
I vaguely recall a verse I think is in Peter's epistle that says "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Isn't that pretty much the extent of our "testimony"  or do you think we're called to do more, apart from putting on the armor of Christ. Any thoughts?
 

Here's a part of Ray's study:
CAN YOU ‘WIN’ SOULS FOR CHRIST?

All my life I heard of "winning souls for Jesus." It is taught throughout the whole world of Christendom. Christians are taught they must "witness for Jesus" and in so doing will "win" some souls for Jesus. Many Christians feel a definite need to try and reach people for Jesus before they die. The Christian teaching is that if anyone is not reached and persuaded to accept Jesus as his personal Saviour before he dies, then he will at death immediately go into the pagan Greek hell of hades and be tortured in fire for all eternity. Even after learning many of the Truths of God on bible-truths.com, people continue to ask me how they can fulfill their obligation to witness for Christ and become effective teachers of God’s Truths to their family, neighbors, or fellow parishioners.

Shocking as it might sound to most, the Scriptures know nothing of "winning souls for Jesus." It is a man-made doctrine of the carnal mind.

But isn’t there a Scripture somewhere that speaks of "winning souls?" No, not really.

Once only do we find any words regarding "winning souls" in the King James Bible:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30).

This verse, however, has absolutely nothing to do with saving the souls of those who believe in Jesus as their Saviour. The Hebrew word kal from which the word winneth was translated, is used hundreds of times in the King James, but only once is it translated into any form of the word "win." It means to, take, bring, fetch, acquire, rescue, etc., but "win" is a poor choice of words. Besides, spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ is not the topic of Proverbs 11:30. Two New Testament Scriptures:

In Phil. 3:8 we read, "…that I may win [Gk: ‘gain’] Christ…" and in I Pet. 3:1, "…they also may… be won [Gk: ‘gained’] by the conversation [conduct] of the wives…" The other dozen times this Greek word kerdaino is used, it is always ‘gain’ or ‘gained.’ Example: "…Lord you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained [Gk: kerdaino] two other talents beside them" (Matt. 25:22).

Why didn’t the King James translate this: "…behold I have WON two other talents…?" Surely even these translators could see the implications of increasing our God-given talents by gambling with them for higher ‘WINNINGS.’

Christians need to get all this gambling terminology out of their heads when it comes to the doctrines of God. Salvation has nothing to do with winning some; loosing some; betting on statistical odds; taking chances, and all such Las Vegas crap table nonsense.

Salvation is not a matter of a first chance or a second chance or any chance. Salvation is "sure."

"SURELY, He Who spares not His own Son, but gives Him up for us all, how shall He NOT, together with Him, also, be graciously granting us ALL? (Rom. 8:32, Concordant Literal New Testament).

indianabob:
great question "oneloved"

I have had similar thoughts and have found over the years that it is difficult to avoid sharing with zeal to folks who may be curious but not truly interested. It seems to be human nature to want to tell everyone and be truly disappointed when they are not as excited as we are.
I think the value of evangelism is to teach us the value of what we have been given and to learn by experience that it is not something we can give to another unless God is in their hearts. We may be the means of communication in some instances, but only God can offer this gift and convict the hearer that it is for their benefit.
But that does not mean we should stop trying. It is by the sincere effort that we learn within ourselves how rare the gift is and come to appreciate the responsibility we will have in the period of training and enlightenment that is to come in the next age.

It is still hard to imagine myself as a true spiritual brother of Lord Jesus, but it is true and inspiring.

Indianabob

Duane:
Even after all this time and study (including Ray's "Winning Souls for Christ?") Iam still uncertain about when the "goal of witnessinng' has been met.  (I have written on this before but I still have no closure.)
Atleast with the conclusion of the "sinners prayer" the one witnessing has heard the "sinner" ask forgiveness and "Christ to come into their hearts and lives"!  Those are joyous words to hear and "the angels in heaven rejoice over one lost person coming to the Lord"!
With talking and talking about the greatness, love and supreme sacrifice of Jesus on the cross--WITHOUT the sinner's prayer o the use of some words--HOW do you knoow the TRANSITION FROM UNSAVED TO SAVED has truly taken place?
How do you know WHEN to stop talking/sharing --not knowing their hearts?  I know it is ONLY important that GOD knows but----.   Anyway, I 've seen salesman talk their way into, and thru, and OUT of a sale by just NOT KNOWING when to shut up!  Without a FIRM CLOSE like a mutual agreement of understanding culminating in the "sinner's prayer"  I still say:
"How do you know when you have arrived?"

Dave in Tenn:
Duane, one observation--Not every church requires a 'sinner's prayer' to mark the beginning of a christian life.

The GOAL as you put it is spelled out from the beginning of Scripture.  God is creating man in His own image.  It will be acheived when He's done.  Not only can we not see the end of this in others, we can't even see it in ourselves except as a process.

One reason why we can't see it in others is because of the nature of God's plan for the salvation of all.  Many are called, few are chosen.

Keep your question in mind and read How Hard is Getting Saved?:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3849.0.html and What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?:  http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6142.0.html

1Co 12:27-13  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

(and here it comes...right in the next chapter and verse..)

1Co 13:1  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2  And if I have prophecies, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And if I give out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, but I do not have love, I am not profited anything.
1Co 13:4  Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up;
1Co 13:5  does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
1Co 13:6  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth.
1Co 13:7  Love quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1Co 13:8  Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be caused to cease; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be caused to cease.
1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1Co 13:10  but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.
1Co 13:11  When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I caused to cease the things of the infant.
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a mirror in dimness, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will fully know even as I also was fully known.
1Co 13:13  And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is love.

DougE6:

When I "came to Christ" when I was 12 years old it was real. Very real. probably one of the geatest experiences of my life. It was a very simple prayer.

When I got home from church I went for a walk. I laid down on the side of a  hill and basked in the love of God. For how long I do not know, but it changed me.

Did I think I was rescued form hell? Of course I did, but that is not what I was baskin in. I was in love. And it was wonderful.

I don't deny the good things that happened to me. I do not deny that that was the start of my walk with Christ. I thought I was saved of course, not really understanding all I had was the earnest, the deposit, and a whole lot more would come. But it was the start, for sure.

So I do preach. I do. I preach every day. I do not expect others to, but I do. I am part of face book groups, and I preach the gospel. Woe to me if I do not preach said Paul, and you know what? I understand. I give whatever part of the gospel is appropriate. In little pieces, sometimes in big pieces. My friends, my family, know what I believe very well. Several now believe very much the same, but without the intensity. SO be it. I won't stop.  My athiest friends, we have spoken for 100 hours. They think my beliefs are beautiful. If God exists, and Jesus is the SOn, what I believe is the truth, they say. But I don't mince words. I tell them there is a cost. There is a cost. You must repent, you must die to your carnal nature, you must forsake the world. Contrary to some, I believe it is scriptural and correct to seek the Eonian life that Jesus promises to those who follow him by faith. I will seek and follow that life, that way, and will tell others about it at every opportunity.

I hope God shows me in time how He works. DO i really only preach to babyon? I only reach out to the ones in the church, to shouw them they are deceived? Well, I do that. And I also reach out to the unchurched. I preach Jesus, I talk about repentance, I talk about Him being the saviour of all men, but I talk about the great gift, the excellent goal of faith, the goal worth forsaking everything for, to be with Him in the first resurrection. I preach reighteousness and repentance along with the plain complete fact that Jesus will save the world, the goal for me is the Life of the Ages. I am not ashamed to say that is my greatest desire.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page