September 21st -We are not to Win Souls

"Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all humanity. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God... And now I commend you to God and to the word of His GRACE, which is able to build you up and to GIVE you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:26-32)

The revival was over. We had listened to a dynamic speaker for two weeks. During that time there were over 90 decisions for Christ and many other rededications. At the end of the last service, we had been challenged to "go win the world to Christ, one person at a time, because he who wins souls is wise". Everyone was saying "Amen", and left fully intending to be a part of a great renewal. The evangelist received a big love offering and went home.

Two weeks later no one was out "winning souls", and all was back to normal. This has been repeated over and over again in institutional protestant churches since the 1730's. Yet the percentage of the world's population that refer to themselves as "Christian" remains the same, maybe less. 

I asked myself, why? and here is my answer.

The gospel message being presented in our churches and on the mission fields is flawed. It has been changed from a glorious declaration of the Salvation of ALL humanity to a mere "offer” to save "if" people jump through certain hoops. After 45 years of study, I cannot find anywhere in the bible that says we should go "offer" salvation or "win the world to Christ". 

The souls of humanity have already been won! 

Pastors, evangelists, nor anyone else can save anyone - yet God intends to save everyone "through Jesus Christ". God guaranteed the salvation of humanity "before the foundation of the world".  

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious GRACE, which He has FREELY GIVEN us in the Beloved One (Jesus)." (Ephesians 1:3-6)

We can tell people about their salvation, and that it will be complete when all humans have been raised from the dead and transformed into a new creation in Christ Jesus. Old sin damaged things of the flesh will have passed away - all things will have become new.

"So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away.  Behold, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:16-18)

Again, if believers have a great commission, it is to TELL people about their salvation, not win their souls!  

I know what some of you are thinking, the preacher told us  "he who wins souls is wise" and he read it right out of the Bible.  

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls." (Proverbs 11:30)

Jesus is the ONLY WISE man with the power to win (procure) souls - and HE won/procured them ALL at the cross. The first part of that verse says that the fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life. Jesus is the only righteous man who ever lived - and His fruit is the "tree of life" for ALL SOULS He won at the cross!

What we should be telling those who have never heard is "You have been saved by the Love and Grace of God through the sacrifice, wisdom, faith, and righteousness of His Son Jesus". 

So, I am telling you who are reading this - rejoice and go tell your family and friends this GOOD NEWS! 

Then live your life like you appreciate what God has done for by doing what God requires. Here it is...

"What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring Him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:6-8)

Play games to win, but play cards or golf or some other game made up by people to pass the time. But trust Jesus our Lord and Savior with the game of eternal life! He won that game all by Himself - for you!

"But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a SAVIOR has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10)