Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional; Friday, 23rd August 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;
APPRAISE YOUR SOUL-WINNING EFFORTS;
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV).
The Message Translation renders our opening verse beautifully. It says, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups….” This is one of the things you must learn to do for yourself as a Christian; having an honest self-appraisal of how far you’ve grown and are growing in your faith-walk.
For example, you should be able to appraise yourself on your soul-winning efforts. You ought to do this from time to time. Review your convictions about the Gospel. If you’ve been a Christian for a long period, and you’ve been receiving the Word, it’ll be inappropriate for you to require cajoling or “encouraging” to actively win souls for Christ. You should be self-motivated through the Spirit.
Remember, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world today, and no sacrifice could be too great for this course. Paul said “…woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). So, have an honest assessment of your involvement in soul winning. Don’t say, “It’s for the Pastors and leaders of the Church”; no! It’s the personal responsibility of every Christian. Therefore, set personal targets for the number of souls to win for Christ and do it.
It’s like what we read in the parable of the sower; Jesus said, “…A sower went out to sow” (Matthew 13:3 NKJV). The seeds are sown, which fell on the good ground produced a harvest: “…some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold” (Matthew 13:8). The Word that was sown “brought forth!” The question then is, at what level are you “bringing forth”; reproducing souls for the Kingdom?
Are you still at the same “thirty-fold” level of soul winning that you were when you initially gave your heart to Christ? You should move to the hundred-fold level. In other words, be all out for the Gospel as though it depended on you alone to reach the whole world. That’s the right attitude you must-have for the Gospel.
Review and increase your commitment to the Gospel; and as you increase your commitment, the Lord will grant you more grace for greater effectiveness and capacity to win more souls to Christ. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for counting me faithful, putting me in the ministry to deliver those bound by the shackles of darkness, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. More than ever, I’m totally sold-out to soul winning, led on by your grace to do greater exploits for the Kingdom of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1 Corinthians 9:16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that winneth souls are wise.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 8 & Psalms 120-127
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 18:18-27 & 1 Samuel 10