“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). The need for every believer to reach out to the sinning relations, friends and neighbors cannot be over emphasized. The call of our Lord Jesus Christ is still biding on every believer today as a command, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15). It is divine command which is compelling for every Christian without an exception. This assignment become easier when Christian reach out to their friends and peers who are not born again. Yes, Jesus as given us a mandate.
The exploits of converted saints of old like Joseph, Esther, prophets and apostles should be a challenge to us all, they stood out for God in their own generations. Furthermore, the age in which we are today demand that we should wake up to the holy calling of God and save our generation from destructions and evils around them through the gospel of Christ. If you are saved, you cannot afford to sit on the fence when millions of souls are going into a Christ-less eternity. The prevalence of false prophets and apostles who deceive and close the doors of the heart of the sinning people and the ever increasing vices such as drug addiction, thefts, brazen immorality, cultism and many others should arouse the sympathy of every believing Christian to join the chariot of mass evangelization. Be wise, the scriptures say “…He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
In spite of the need and urgency to reach out to the sinning world, God cannot use sinners. God cannot work or entrust the divine command of evangelism to sinners. “Can two walk together except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3). The Bible makes it clear that, “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:18). The moment you are born again, you are called to join in this great commission. You do not have to wait until you know every verse of the scripture. The Holy Spirit is able use the little you have known to bring sinners into repentance. When God called the Philip to join himself to the chariot, he did not delay. “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:28-29). In similar way, every believer should not delay answering this call because time is short.
It is the Lord’s desire to see that we are winning souls for His kingdom from time to time. To be a successful soul winner, we need to equip ourselves with the word of God after salvation. In addition, the life of a soulwinner should be pure and transparent. Such a person should be freed from shame and reproach otherwise., it will be a hinderance to the gospel. To live unblameably always, you need the sanctification experience. Holy Ghost baptism is also paramount for one to do exploit in the area of evangelism. All these Christian experiences are available for those who will earnestly desire and pray for it. Furthermore, a soul winner must pray for compassion for the perishing souls and passion for evangelism. There should be fervent prayer before and after witnessing to sinners. Prayer is a spiritual weapon with which we dislodge and defeat Satan’s hold on the lives of the sinners.
Various method of evangelism abounds. Direct preaching of the word of God alone or in the company of others as opportunities come or by creating the opportunities. Inviting friends and relations to church meetings and programs can work wonders in their lives. One can also send tracts and writer letters to unsaved friend. Buses and other means of transportation are also place where effective preaching can be done. In addition, phone calls, text messages, and other social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. could be used as means of winning souls. The message must be Jesus the Savior of the whole world and not the church. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved…That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9). At the end of the message, the sinner must be led to make decision to follow the Lord as Phillip did to the Ethiopia Eunuch.
For every believer who will join the chariot of soul winning, there are rewards here for them on earth and crown awaiting them in eternity. Soul winning ensures self-preservation in God’s kingdom. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). Soulwinners are special in God’s sight because they witness often and pray often which make the possibility of backsliding very remote. Their prayers receive quick answers and attention from the Savior. Apart from all these, there will be stars on their crowns on the last day.