Negotiating For Souls

We must absolutely do all within our power to win souls to Jesus Christ. This is the Lord’s command (Mark 16:15-16), example (John 19:10), work (Mark 1:15,38), and our work (1 Cor. 3:6,9). Moreover, we are shown how saving ONE soul is vitally important to God (Luke 15:4-32; Acts 8:26-39; Jas. 5:20). Souls is the main priority when we wholeheartedly embrace the concept of truly loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31; Luke 10:29-36). Agape love was heaven’s motivation to begin the soul-saving process (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16). The same earnest love must be our catalyst to be about our Father’s business of saving souls (Luke 2:49).

Once revived, motivated, and zealous in the endeavor of winning lost souls (John 4:35), we must then remember that winning folks to Christ will take contemplation and wisdom in arranging and conducting a bible study. When Jesus sent the disciples out on the limited commission to Jews only, He said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Mat. 10:16). Wisdom must come into play as we negotiate the terms for Bible studies. “…he that winneth souls is wise” (Pr. 11:30).

During hostage standoffs, police will do all they can to save lives and will negotiate exchanging food, water, and other supplies in hopes of resolving the situation.  However, there are wrong things they will not negotiation like swapping prisoners, drugs, alcohol, and firearms. We too must be willing to do all we can to save souls, but at the same time, be unwilling to negotiate in ways that are contrary to God’s will. We love folks and desire to help them, but there are things we will not do and places we will not go (1 Thess. 5:22). We will not buy people alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs, or visit nightclubs or man-made churches just to win folks. Jesus established one church for all humanity (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25). Our main objective is not to get people to worship with us but to study with us. Let’s negotiate with folks a convenient time at an agreed place to reason together from the word of God (Acts 17:11).

Richard Stevens III