He That Is Wise Winneth Souls

by J. BENNISON | Category: General | Sept 1962

"And they that be 'wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever"

(Daniel 12.8).

"Run, speak to this young man" (Zechariah 2.4).

So long as the great commission is unrevoked, so long as "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" remains in the Sacred Book, there rests on each called into the Fellowship of God's Son the personal responsibility of witnessing for Christ. "Ye shall be My witnesses," both by life and lip. Being a witness and bearing witness are both of the utmost importance. If we fail in these then ours will be the loss in that final day of reckoning.

The gospel of Christ is a message to be spoken. Our Lord sent a man home to his friends to bear witness, saying, "Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee" (Mark 5.19). After Andrew saw the Lord, he found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah." The Samaritan woman, after meeting the Saviour, returned to the city and told the men, "Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did " (John 4.29). Look at the irresistible impulse of the apostles when the high priest and the elders would have sealed their lips, "We cannot but speak." They Were under the authority of a higher power (Acts 4.19, 20).

A brother said recently, " It is not my work. I find it very difficult to enter into conversation with strangers." Far too many of the Lord's people are shelving their responsibilities. Let us be careful that our witness does not take an escapist form. The Lord rebuked Moses when he excused himself, "Who hath made man's mouth?

"I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt speak" (Exodus 4.11, 12). We grant that all who seek to witness require fitness, a training which can only be found in the work of the Holy Spirit who has been given to each believer.

Probably the first requirement is resolute determination; this is a very necessary requisite. If there is this purpose of heart, then with God's help the difficulties in our way will but nerve us to renewed effort, and will be stepping stones to triumph and blessing. A divine principle was laid down by the Master that if we confess Him before men, He will confess us before the angels; contrariwise, if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the angels of God. (See Luke 12.8).

Then the awful doom of those who obey not the gospel should spur us on to bear witness. Men are lost and there is no other Name whereby they may be saved, save the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4.12). How shall they know their need without men to witness? Moreover, while we certainly have this responsibility it is the love of Christ that should constrain us. "We love, because He first loved us." That surely is the motive of Christian service, and moreover is the only motive that will hold us to our task in days of adversity.

Another most important matter is fitness ; preachers should have a working knowledge of God's word. Nothing can take its place. A general knowledge is useful, but an accurate knowledge of the word is vital. "Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10. 17). It is necessary for the mind to be stored with the Scriptures, that we can give an explanation of the passage alluded to and state where it is found; This will give the inquirer an opportunity to ponder it himself, and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. Remember it is not what we say about the word, but the living word that is vital; the word that the Spirit uses to convict of sin (Acts 2.37), and to reveal the way of salvation (2 Timothy 3.15). It is by the Scriptures that objections can be met or heresies exposed.

Regarding our approach to the stranger, whether in a hall or at open air meetings, indeed wherever we are, wisdom is needed to turn the conversation on to the spiritual plane. "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3.18). Eternity is meaningless, consequently judgement is an outworn threat. This paganism is inevitably followed by a hardening of heart against God who, as Paul writes, "shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ" (Romans 2.16). Our responsibility is to show them their need of a Saviour and to show them the Saviour they need. Listen patiently to their difficulties and prejudices, and be ready at the first opportunity to bring Christ before them, avoiding, if possible, controversial matters. A pleasant approach is to be desired, for many think that the "out and out" Christian is a "killjoy." Let us show by our manner that to know Christ is a living, bright reality - a "joy unspeakable and full of glory " (1 Peter 1.8).

To turn the conversation from the secular to the spiritual is an art. We have a beautiful example of this in our Lord's approach to the Samaritan women in John 4. He commenced with what was of common interest and then raised the conversation from the material to the spiritual, from Sychar's water to the living water. He met her where she was, patiently leading her on. The sequel was that she in her new joy, entered the city with the message - " Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ ?

This is only one of several delightful examples. Have you noticed that at least seven of the apostles were reached by the Lord in personal conversation?

Have ready some suitable literature, a leaflet or booklet or one of our magazines. Whatever it is, be sure that you have previously read it. Some very attractive Gospels, also portions of Scripture, most suitable for those who are not familiar with the Bible, are available. To give the right booklet in an acceptable way requires careful thought and discernment. And remember, practice makes perfect.

What is of supreme importance, and without which we cannot possibly hope to succeed, is the matter of prayer. Prayer must occupy a pre-eminent place in the life of one who would seek to serve in this glorious ministry. It is only by prayer that the power of the Spirit of God can have free course, for the salvation of a soul is the work of the Holy Spirit through the word. Faith to receive Christ is imparted by the Spirit through the word (1 Peter 1.23). The apostles found prayer to be necessary (Acts 6.4), and note how the blessing of God followed. Our greatest weapon is prayer, and let us never underestimate its value. It follows, of course, that if our prayers are to be effectual we ourselves must be vessels " sanctified, meet for the Master's use" (2 Timothy 2.21). The Psalmist sets us an example in one of his prayers,

"Create in me a clean heart, 0 God;

And renew a right spirit within me.

Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways;

And sinners shall be converted unto Thee"

(Psalm 51.10, 18).

So that our first concern must be our own condition, otherwise the Lord will not hear us. "Lord teach us to pray," to pray for ourselves first of all and then for the souls of others to travail in birth for lost souls. We must pray for ourselves that we may have the necessary courage to witness when the opportunity arises. Most of us are naturally reticent, so that we need to pray for boldness. The apostle solicited prayer on his own behalf that he might "make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel" (Ephesians 6.19). So, as the disciples did, Pray! "Grant unto Thy servants to speak Thy word with all boldness" (Acts 4.29). Prayer changes things, making possible what otherwise would be impossible.

We also need to pray for guidance as to those to whom we should speak. Always be ready for souls whom God is preparing. In various ways God is preparing men and women for the message which it is our responsibility to pass on. A most helpful illustration of effectual personal dealing is that of Philip and the eunuch (Acts 8). Directed by the heavenly messenger, he leaves what we would judge to be a more important work, witnessing to the multitudes in Samaria where this had been blessed, to speak to an individual. With eagerness the evangelist answers to the Spirit's call, and runs to the treasurer of queen Candace, opening the conversation with a courteous inquiry. To speak indiscriminately to people without divine leading is, we suggest, foreign to the whole tenor of Scripture. If we ourselves are alive to our responsibility to witness, then in some way known to the Lord and to the worker, guidance will be given. Our Lord, as Jehovah's Servant, was the polished shaft, hidden in His Father's quiver (Isaiah 49.2), ready at any moment to be used by Him. We need to cultivate the habit of looking to the Lord for guidance as to whom, and when, we should speak.

Opportunities abound when we are willing to take them. Bus and train journeys, a knock at the door, sickness of a neighbour, all these put us in touch with people, some of whom we may never meet again. There is a danger of being occupied with what we consider to be "special occasions," so that we neglect to speak to a casual acquaintance. However, we should be careful to guard against forcing openings. There are natural ones, if only we are willing to avail ourselves of them.

Guidance is necessary to know what to say. Some simple topic like the weather or recent happenings may open up conversation and give the opportunity for an appropriate word to follow. God alone knows the need of each person; trust Him for the right word. The Holy Spirit is given to us for that very purpose; "He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you" (John 14.26). Life is in the word; at the same time we must use language they understand. Many of our expressions, such as "being born again," and "being saved," are unknown to the man of the world. Our responsibility is to direct attention to Christ, to bring home a sense of guilt and the need of a Saviour. Most people will admit a sense of failure, as they think of the past; and also the sense of insecurity and even of fear of the future. Having got that admission, one can follow up to show from the Scriptures, that not only they, but "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3.28).

Do not be put off by a rebuff, though we know it can be disquieting. A few, indeed very few, adopt a scornful attitude, but in the main most people hold a secret regard for what they know to be right, but lack the courage to admit it. And it may be that what one has already said is sufficient for the Spirit of God to use, as and when He will. Some people are afraid of being thought ignorant, and they try and camouflage their lack of knowledge of spiritual matters. Others look upon those who speak openly on spiritual things as religious fanatics. Then there is a class of orthodox church-goers who have been annoyed by the persistence of certain who pretend to set forth the teaching of the Scriptures. But if our hearts are being constrained by love to Christ and the souls of the perishing, the Holy Spirit will lead us as we seek to testify for Him.

It should be emphasized that love to Christ alone will enable us to confess Him before those who ridicule. The only way we can get that burning zeal, that deep glowing affection for our Lord Jesus is a fresh vision of the Man of Sorrows. As we behold afresh that One who was scorned of men, despised and rejected, and bowed beneath that Cross, His love will beget love.

There are some matters about which we need to be on our guard.

Refrain from being drawn into an argument. Most people who begin to argue and to air their knowledge will sidetrack you from your main object.

Be careful not to rely upon natural ability and knowledge of the Scriptures. Seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit throughout your conversation.

Be careful not to lose your temper or show that you are annoyed. Let them see by your demeanour that you are a true Christian in deed as well as word. Be patient and listen. Let the other have his say and you wrn be better able to deal with his difficulties.

"In nothing be anxious." Allow the Spirit opportunity to work and the individual time to ponder over what has already been said.

Never be discouraged at what you feel to be a failure. The Lord said of the man who cast his seed into the ground, that whether he slept by night or rose by day, "the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how"; but when the fruit was ripe he began to reap (Mark 4.26-29). This is our work, to sow the seed in faith-perchance in tears. Having sown it, leave results with Him who has far more concern for the perishing than ever we can be.

Refrain from intruding when someone else is dealing with one who is interested, even if you may have a particular interest in the person or feel that you are better able to deal with the particular case. Stand a distance away in silent prayer.

Do remember that your main weapon is the word of God, used with "all prayer." Read the Scriptures preferably to quoting them or let the inquirer read them himself..

"Oh! for a heart that is burdened!

Infused with a passion to pray;

Oh! for a striving within me;

Oh! for His power every day.

Oh! for a heart like my Saviour,

Who being in an agony prayed;

Such caring for others, Lord give me,

Oh! my heart let the burden be laid.

My Father, I long for this passion,

To pour out my soul for the lost

To lay down my life to save others

To pray whatever the cost