by Dennis Leatherman
This is a terrible thought for any church, but what if we actually quit going soul winning, both personally and corporately as a church? The following are a few things I believe would be true.
- WE WOULD BE DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE DEVIL WANTS US TO DO.
(Acts 4:17-18) The Pharisees, operating, no doubt, under the influence of Satan himself, instructed the disciples not to teach or preach any more in the name of Jesus. In the Gospels, our Lord taught that Satan’s desire is to “snatch” the seed of God’s Word away from the unbelievers. If we quit soul winning, we’re doing exactly what Satan wants us to do. - PEOPLE WOULD END UP IN HELL.
(Romans 10:13-15) The Bible is clear, people cannot be saved apart from hearing and understanding the Word of God. If we quit soul winning, some people will not hear and will die unsaved. - WE WOULD BE ACTING FOOLISHLY.
(Proverbs 11:30) God tells us “he that winneth souls is wise.” The implication of this verse is that he that does not win souls is foolish. - WE WOULD BE A SINNING AGAINST GOD.
The Lord has repeatedly instructed us to take the Gospel to every creature. He has commanded us to go and “teach all nations.” If we quit soul winning, whether here at home or around the world, we would be sinning against God. - WE WOULD BRING SHAME UPON OURSELVES.
(1 Corinthians 15:34) “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” How sinful and shameful for Christians and their churches not to share the knowledge of God and His Gospel. - WE WOULD BE ABANDONING THE BIBLICAL PATTERN.
In the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples went every where “preaching the Gospel.” In the book of Acts, the N.T. believers “went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Again, Psalm 68:11 says, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Apparently there was a “company” of folks that covered the land “publishing” the Word of God. - WE COULD BRING SERIOUS SPIRITUAL HARM TO OUR COUNTRY.
See (Genesis 18:23-33). God promised Abraham that if he found only 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, he would not destroy it. Apparently Lot had not won anyone to a saving knowledge of the Lord, and thus the cities were destroyed. I wonder if this same principle does not apply to our great land. It we abandon soul winning, would that hasten God’s judgment upon our nation?
A nation with a majority of genuine Christians is far better off than a nation without Christians or with Christians in the minority. - THE LORD WOULD HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE.
(2 Corinthians 5:10-11) God’s Word is clear, all Christians must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and give an account of our lives and service for the Lord. This was a fearful thought to Paul and thus he persuaded men.
No doubt, there are many other thoughts and passages of Scripture that could be added to this list. I trust that our churches and ourselves as individual Christians will stay at this matter of sharing the Gospel and winning the Lost.
by Dennis Leatherman
Original article can be found at https://dennisleatherman.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/what-if-we-abandon-soul-winning/