Although most brethren would agree that doing personal evangelism is important, some would question the need to allot time in their teaching program to “studying personal evangelism.” Maybe the members of your congregation are active in teaching the lost. If so, be thankful. Many local churches, however, would confess that they are not as active in personal evangelism as they would like to be, or as they could be.
We must remember that the Lord’s church is a living institution (1 Tim. 3:15) Even though religious denominations often consider the church’s functions to be primarily benevolent, political, social or philanthropic, we dare not succumb to such misconceptions. Jesus first and foremost came to seek and save the lost. While he was sympathetic to hunger by providing loaves and fishes, he rebuked those who followed him for that purpose. Why train fishermen who will not fish, or sowers who will not sow? (Mark 1:17, Luke 8:11) Jesus said, “For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:47). We need to study about doing personal evangelism because telling others about Jesus is an integral part of being a Christian.
We Must Grow
God expects us to grow and mature spiritually (1 Pet. 2:2). Soul winning is one way to grow and bear fruit. What better fruit is there than precious souls being added to the kingdom? The Lord expects his branches to bear fruit (John 15:5-6) The parable of the fig tree illustrates the Lord’s disappointment when there is no fruit (Luke 13:6-7). The Great Commission places upon each of us the responsibility to be active in personal evangelism. While preachers must indeed do their part, every Christian has a role to play in the process of evangelism. It was Paul’s admonition that we “shine our lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15-16). Soul willing should be the natural result of maturing in the faith.
We Must Keep Our Brother
God also expects us to care for others. When God asked Cain, “Where is Able thy brother?” Cain arrogantly challenged God saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) Society today echoes the sentiment of Cain. On one hand every man bears the responsibility to take care of himself. (No other man can assume the responsibility for his own sins or his salvation.) If this is true, then in what sense can we say we are our brother’s keeper? When we consider that all humanity is made in the image of God, with an eternal soul, we recognize the Christian’s unique position relative to all humanity. Thus, everyone under heaven is our neighbor. Yes, we are our brother’s keeper. Jesus taught that we must “keep” (take care of) our brother. In fact, the Lord will call us into account about the condition of our brother just as he did Cain. Love requires concern for our brother.
We Must Care for the Lost
One of the greatest expressions of love we can show anyone is to tell that one about Christ. James commends those who restore the erring (James 3:19-20) Paul thought of himself as a debtor to anyone he had not reached with the gospel (Romans 1:14-16). According to W.E. Vine, the word “debtor” is from the Greek word opheiletes, “one who owes anything to another primarily in regard to money” (Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 150). It is used metaphorically by Paul in Romans 1:14 in the matter of preaching the gospel. Paul felt a strong debt to deliver the gospel message to the lost. He responded to this indebtedness by sharing the gospel with others. So much so that he told the Ephesian elders he was free from the blood of all men (Acts 20:20, 26). Paul really saw no alternative to reaching the lost (1 Cor. 9:16). George Stebbins penned these words to challenge the unfruitful.
“Must I go and empty-handed
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him.
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Must I go and empty-handed?
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?”
Really, we have no choice. We cannot help but be soul-winners. Jeremiah thought once he might not speak of the Lord (Jeremiah 20:9). Yet it was in His bones to teach others about the Lord.
We Must Be Teachers
God expect us to be teachers. The author of Hebrews had in mind some who had not developed as they should. He wrote: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” (Hebrews 5:12) Faithful men seek out faithful men to encourage them to learn to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2)