In John 4, we find some basic principles for soul-winning.

1. We must be led by the Spirit: “¦he must needs go through Samaria.”

The term “being led by the Spirit” may be new to some of you, and yet it is scriptural. The apostle Paul said, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). We read in Luke 4:1, “And Jesus”¦was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” If the Holy Spirit is leading us, then the Holy Spirit can work through us in witnessing.

It is the Holy Spirit who led Jesus through despised Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem! And, of course, to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit always requires self-denial. Self will never, and can never, be led by the Holy Spirit. It must be denied, our plans being laid at the foot of the cross.

We must realize that we are all called upon to win souls.

John 4 is the model for soul-winning, and it is a model to be imitated by all of us even though the circumstances may vary widely. When Jesus said “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21), he meant, among other things, we were to give ourselves to soul-winning, even as he did.

At his ascension, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). And Jesus’ last words were related to soul-winning: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons”¦. But ye shall receive power”¦ and ye shall be witnesses” (vv. 7,8). The disciples wanted to know about prophecy, about the whens and hows, but Jesus said: Forget it – be witnesses!

Too many believers are wrapped up in prophecy, but they do nothing toward leading souls to Christ.

Witnessing and soul-winning got into the hearts of the early Christians, for when they were driven out of Jerusalem, all the lay people “went every where preaching the word” (8:1,4).

May that fire of the early Christians once again burn in our hearts.

We must press through when we don’t feel up to it: “Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well” (John 4:6).

Jesus was tired. It was noon. The sun was mercilessly blazing upon his head. Jesus wanted to rest. Rest was on his mind. When you have rest on your mind, you do not feel like witnessing.
We may make a host of excuses: “I am exhausted”¦ I don’t feel in the spirit”¦ I don’t know what to say”¦ There will be a better time”¦ Surely, this is not God’s time”¦ Somebody else will reach them better,” etc..

If we allow feelings to govern our soul-winning – we might as well forget it! Those who only make their beds, clean their houses, take out the garbage, visit the sick, and pray when they feel like it, are not fit for the kingdom.

A soul-winner goes by three solid facts: he is saved, the poor sinner is lost, and God has said, “Rescue the perishing.” He does not go by feelings.

In fact, our very weaknesses and inadequacies are the qualifications we need to trust the Lord with all our heart and to engage his all-sufficiency.

On this day...

• Exodus 21 - 2024
• Genesis 20 - 2024
• April 17, 2014 - 2014
• Psalm 24:3-6 - 2011
• Psalms 45:8 - 2009
• Ezekiel 34:26 - 2009
• Job 10:2 - 2009
• Genesis 24:63 - 2008
• John 9:7 - 2007
• volition - 2007