Salvation of Souls
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 10740 |
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November 28, 2010 |
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 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)
The ultimate purpose of evangelism is to lead as many souls to the eternal kingdom of Heaven as possible. For this purpose Jesus the Son of God came down to this earth in a human form. He shed His precious blood freely to save mankind and became the Light and hope to the world.
We have to follow the example of Jesus Christ in leading the souls to the path to salvation. What is His driving force to save all men from their sins?
First of all, Jesus had the love to cover people's many sins.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus did not either stand against or hate those who persecuted Him and were trying to kill Him. He even prayed to God to forgive those who were crucifying Him and those who scorned at Him who was hung on the cross.
Matthew 27:39-40, "And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.'" The following verses 41-42 reads, "In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 'He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.'"
They humiliated and mocked at Jesus and revealed their transgressions in those evil words. But Jesus asked God to forgive them of their sins. He didn't hold those sins against them but instead covered their sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Second, Jesus owed nothing to anyone except to love them.
While He was living on the earth, Jesus didn't have enmity or hostility against anyone, nor did He cause pains or problems to any other person. In the same way, if we have the same true love, we owe nothing to anyone except to love him (Romans 13:8), and if we truly love the other, we do only good works for him.
Jesus healed a man who had been ill for 38 years and planted true faith into his heart, and also healed many people including a woman who had suffered from hemorrhage for 12 years, many lames who couldn't walk for long, and those who had been tormented from various paralyses. In addition, Jesus made alive again a dead son of a widow in the city of Nain and gave her the hope of life (Luke 7:11-16). And when He revived Lazarus who had been dead for 4 days, Jesus planted true faith into the hearts of those who had no faith (John 11). When a multitude of people listened to His messages and became hungry because there was no food, Jesus performed the miracle of five loaves and two fish for them (Matthew 14:15-21).
During His public ministry, Jesus performed many wonders and signs and did only good for people, but wicked people hated Him and tried to kill Him. In the midst of those threats of life, He steadfastly did good works for people because He had love and goodness.
Third, Jesus fulfilled the Law with love.
Romans 13:10 reads, "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Jesus covered a multitude of sins with love and owed nothing except to love many people, and furthermore, He fulfilled the Law with love.
He showed a way-out to those whose sins were revealed in action including a woman caught in adultery and moved their hearts and urged them to live a new life. He provided them with warmth and love in which they would be able to rest and then strengthened them to totally change and become a new person. Through this love of Jesus, Zaccheus a chief tax collector repented and received real blessing, and a little daughter of a Gentile woman, Syro-Phoenician race was released from evil spirits and made whole.
In the same way, if we fulfill the Law with love, we can move others' heart, warm them with love and make them open their heart. And if we love the souls in truth and deeds and serve them with earnest craving for their salvation and in spiritual love, we can reap many fruits of evangelism.
What kinds of attitudes do we have to possess in order to lead many souls to the path to salvation with the love of the Lord?
First of all, we have to harbor into our heart each of the souls we have been assigned. Next, we have to take good care of the souls that have difficulties keeping their faiths by themselves. In addition, we have to forgive and understand even those who slander and speak ill of us. With spiritual love, we have to have much more interest and concerns for those who have fallen into temptations and do not attend church and to harbor them in our heart wherever we are, and also to pray for them.
If we serve others with spiritual love, they open their heart and their hardened heart will be melt down. After all, those people will be evangelized and even those who have left the church due to misunderstanding will return to the arms of the Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters,
May you boldly preach the gospel of the Lord with the wisdom and strength given by the Lord and harvest abundant fruits of evangelism, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I pray!
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