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THE WISDOM OF WINNING SOULS
REAL piety is operative, and influential on the whole life; and discovers itself very principally in labours of love to those around us. “The fruit of the righteous is” very fitly compared to “a tree of life,” which administers to the welfare of all who come under its benignant shade. True, indeed, such persons are often regarded only as weak enthusiasts; and are despised in proportion as they exert themselves for the benefit of their fellow-creatures. But they have a good report from God himself, who says concerning them, “He that winneth souls, is wise.”
This sentence it shall be my endeavour to confirm: and confirmed it will be beyond all doubt, if we consider what may be justly said in vindication of every one who engages in this good work.
I. The object he proposes to himself is most excellent—
[What in the universe is there worthy to be compared with an immortal soul? — — — And what work can be compared with that which is done for the soul, in its conversion to God? — — — Think of its being plucked as a brand out of the fire of hell itself — — — Think of its being restored to the favour of its offended God — — — Think of its being transformed into the divine image — — — Think of its being exalted to a participation of all the glory and felicity of heaven — — — Is there any object that can stand in competition with this? What is the acquisition of crowns and kingdoms in comparison of this? — — —]
Further,
II. The labour he bestows upon it is most beneficial,
1. To the soul he wins—
[Let the foregoing hints be duly contemplated; and then say what a benefactor he is, “who turns a man from the error of his ways, and saves a soul alive [Note: Jam_5:19-20.]” — — —]
2. To the world around him—
[Man, in his unconverted state, is a snare to all around him. By his example at least, if not by any avowed declarations, he teaches men to think that the concerns of this world are most worthy of their attention, and that the concerns of the soul are only of secondary importance. — — — But, when once he is truly turned to God, the honour of God is dear unto him, and the welfare of immortal souls lies near his heart — — — For the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom he prays in secret, and labours according to his ability in the sphere wherein he moves. “Thy kingdom come,” is the language, not of his lips only, but of his heart also. He now lives, not for himself, as heretofore, but for God, for his Saviour, for his fellow-men; and whatever he possesses he considers as a talent to be improved for them — — — Now, therefore, he becomes “a light in the world;” and, from being an agent of Satan to advance the kingdom of darkness, he is a favoured instrument of Jehovah, to promote in every way the happiness and salvation of the human race — — — Who can calculate the benefits accruing from such a change?]
3. To himself also—
[Who ever laboured for God without receiving in his own soul a rich reward [Note: Psa_19:11.]?” “Who ever watered others, and was not himself watered by the Lord [Note: ver. 25.]?” The very graces which a man exercises, in winning souls to God, diffuse a sweet serenity, a holy joy, over the whole man, and assimilate him to his Lord and Saviour, and render him meet for the inheritance that is reserved for him. I may add also, his very labour augments for him the weight of glory that is reserved for him in heaven: for God has said, in reference to this very thing, that “every man shall receive according to his own labour [Note: 1Co_3:8.];” and that “they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, for ever and ever [Note: Dan_12:3.].”
Is not he “wise,” then, who engages in such a work as this?]
In addition to all this I must say,
III. The end he accomplishes is most glorious—
[This is the end which God the Father had in view, when he delegated to his Son the office of redeeming man — — — This was the end for which our adorable Saviour “left the bosom of the Father,” and assumed into union with himself our fallen nature, and led a life of sorrow upon earth, and at last died for us upon the cross. To this he looked forward, as “the joy that was set before him, for the which he endured the cross and despised the shame [Note: Heb_12:2.].” And when he beholds this as the fruit of his sufferings, he is altogether “satisfied with the travail of his soul [Note: Isa_53:11.]”— — — The Holy Spirit also regards this as the end for which he performs his part in the economy of redemption. For what does he “strive with rebellious man [Note: Gen_6:3.]?” For what end does he enlighten, quicken, sanctify the souls of men, or refresh and invigorate them with his heavenly consolations? All of this is to “glorify Christ [Note: Joh_16:14.],” in the salvation of man. In truth, it is in this work that every person of the Godhead will be glorified to all eternity. What is it that illustrates in harmonious union all the perfections of the Deity? — — — What is it that is the one subject of praise and adoration amongst all the heavenly hosts? Is not this the song of all that have been redeemed? “To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto our God, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever [Note: Rev_1:5-6.].” Even the angels, that never sinned, add their “Amen to this; and sing their praises unto God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever [Note: Rev_5:11-13.].”
Compare with this work, then, “all the labour that is done under the sun,” and it is no better than laborious folly. Not he that accumulates to himself wealth or honour, but “he that winneth souls, is wise.”]
What, in conclusion, shall I say? What?
1. Let every one seek the salvation of his own soul—
[Is it wisdom to win the souls of others? What folly, then, must it be to lose our own? — — — In this labour we have more abundant encouragement. We may seek to save others, and fail in our attempt: but who ever failed, that sought salvation for his own soul? Find, in the annals of the whole world, one who ever looked to Christ in vain? Who ever washed in the fountain of his blood in vain? or for whom did the grace of Christ ever prove inadequate and insufficient? Let the world deride this labour as folly, if they please: they will soon see who it is that is really wise; and will soon condemn themselves, more bitterly than now the most envenomed amongst them condemn the righteous: “We fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honour: but now we see how greatly we have erred from the way of truth [Note: Wisd. 5:4–6.].” — — — Who then is wise among you, let him “give himself wholly” to the concerns of his soul; for “the wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools [Note: Pro_3:35.].”]
2. Let every one seek also the salvation of others—
[There are many ways in which this may be done [Note: Here any particular means may be insisted on, according as the particular occasion may require: for instance, The Ministry—The Visiting of the Sick—The Instructing of Children—The Sending forth of the Holy Scriptures—The Support of Missions, &c. &c.] — — — In particular, let every one attend to his own household. For these, in a more especial manner, is every one responsible — — — But in whatever way our exertions are called forth, let us remember that they must be used in a wise, discreet, affectionate manner. We must doubtless declare the whole counsel of God: but, if we would succeed in our labours, we must endeavour to “win souls” by love, and not drive them away by severity and terror — — —]