Becoming an Effective Soul Winner! (1) What You See!

If Jesus left His Church in the world, it was so that it might bring the world to Himself. Every Christian is called to be an effective soul winner. The Church's mandate, therefore, is to win souls because it is the means by which we bring people into the kingdom of God and make disciples of them. This mandate must be a true obsession for every Christian. In fact, it must shape our identity. But how do we become effective soul winners? How do we succeed in winning souls? In the next few articles, we will discuss some characteristics of true soul winners.

What you see matters.

Jesus saw the crowds and was moved with compassion. He described them as downcast, languishing, directionless, comfortless, and lost. His heart was touched and He was saddened by the fact that there were few workers to help them. He encouraged His disciples to pray that others might be sent by the Father to help.

What do you see when you look at people? Their money, their pride, their sin, or their distress; their pain, their sorrow, their loneliness, despite the apparent comfort of their lives? What do you see? Their material poverty, their financial problems, their marital problems, their apparent despair? Or do you see real poverty, separation from God, demonic oppression that is worse than physical hunger, or do you see their separation from God that is the root of their marital problems? A soul winner must see people with God's eyes. He or she must see their pain, see that they are lost without God; they must see their absolute need for the gospel regardless of their natural state. And when they see, they cannot help but act.

The mandate to win souls must shape the identity and life of the Christian Share on XEven the most beautiful ones are lost!

Sometimes walking down the Champs-Élysées, probably the most famous street in the world, I see the shops, the lights, the crowds, and the various styles on display. I see the foreigners delighted to finally be on the 'Champs,' the 'good people' seemingly satisfied with themselves and with life. But I see more, I see their despair. I see men and women living for the moment, struggling to make sense of the present, desperately trying to prove that life is beautiful and they are happy. I see young girls, each trying to be more 'hip' than the other, and I sense their isolation and loneliness. People are hurting, but they are not suffering because Mom is gone or because 'Philippe won't take my calls anymore.' No, they are suffering because the One who gives meaning to existence is absent from their lives. No matter how hard they try, well-being remains elusive.

[Tweet “People are suffering because the One who gives meaning to existence is absent from their lives.”]

See the lost souls

Behind that arrogance, that peremptory look, and the haughty demeanor, hides a lost soul. Do you see that? That man coming toward you clinging to one of his five cell phones could swallow an entire bottle of sleeping pills by the end of the week. That girl can no longer count the number of men she's had relationships with despite her youth, and this is because she's looking to fill a persistent void. And now she's thinking, if boys aren't enough, why not... but the solution isn't there either. That other woman has never known another man besides her husband, but she just learned that he's been cheating on her for twenty years. That young man behind the counter who seems so sure of himself has never spent a night without nightmares. Junior has an easy life, Mom and Dad are prosperous, and surround him with affection, but why is it still not going well?

All these are just symptoms of the fall of humanity. And those who seem to show no symptoms are even more to be pitied because the abnormal has become normal for them. Our streets around the world are filled with individuals separated from God desperately trying to make it work. They do not know the power of Jesus Christ to save. It is to these people that the Church is sent. Jesus puts it this way:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teach them to observe everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28.18-21

A soul winner must first of all see the condition of the people to whom he is sent and be moved by it.

Behind this appearance of arrogance, this peremptory look and the haughty aspect hides a lost soul. Do you see this? Share on X

How to see?

Everyone must and can see. If you cannot see, you must be concerned. Anyone who realizes that he is indifferent and uninterested in the fate of others should run and pray. Pray, 'Lord, open my eyes. Let me see people as You see them.' And He will. May God give you eyes to see.

A soul winner must first of all see the condition of the people to whom he is sent and be moved by it. Share on X

ps Don't miss the following articles, sign up below to receive them in your inbox. Shalom!