"He that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30
Witnessing to people about Christ is something that every Christian has been called to do. I very much lack in this area, but I strive to spread the Gospel with boldness. Jesus has instructed us to spread the Good News of salvation. By doing this, we're continuing the work He did while He was on the earth. It seemed that Jesus never stopped preaching - "Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth" (Mark 1:38). He had so much love for the people and wanted them to follow Him so they could receive eternal life. We must have compassion for the lost as Christ did. If we truly love them then we'd want to tell them the Gospel. If we don't really care where people will go after they die, then we won't be able to witness very well. In Luke 16:15, Jesus commands us to "go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." This wasn't just a suggestion - this was a command to spread the Good News to everyone. We must be "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Romans 1:16). We should boldly proclaim it! When trying to share our faith, we need to remember that we're doing it all for the Lord. If it seems like someone rejected us, we need to realize that they're really rejecting Christ - which should hurt us more than if they were just trying to turn us away. It may be difficult at times to witness, but we must keep in mind that "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6). All we have to do is plant the seed. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." It is God Who ultimately saves people. We might be planting the seed, or even watering, but God is doing the real work. Jesus never said that it would be easy. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore as wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). If we refuse to share our faith, then we'll deeply regret it once we see Jesus. Our life is but "a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). So what if people make fun of us, refuse us, or even torture us - we're doing it all for Jesus! "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings" (1 Peter 4:13). There are so many people out there needing the gospel message, so we must take it to them. "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). Sharing the Gospel is worth the effort. "If we had to preach to thousands year after year, and never rescued but one soul, that one soul would be a full reward for all our labour, for a soul is of countless price" (C.H. Spurgeon). God has given us this work to do and we must do it! Spread the Gospel of Christ Jesus!!