Doing things for the gospel

Brethren, if the main reason for your conversion is not to draw sinners to Christ, then you need a second touch. If you wish to be admitted into heaven, partake in the happiness of the redeemed, then you need to give evidence that you are a Christian. And the only acceptable evidence is having a sinner repented on your account. Your salvation is valueless until you win a soul for Christ.

1 Cor. 9:22-23 says, “… became I as weak that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”

Apostle Paul had a clear understanding of the reason for his conversion and ministerial calling; he knew he was not to instruct and improve only, but to save. Anything short of this would have disappointed him. He would have men sanctified and in fact, saved. From the above, he said he was giving up his own pleasure, contentment, principle and profit that he may save souls.

Beloved, we are saved not to get money, influence or honour, but to save others. Our lives should be a sacrifice for the good of others. The question waiting for an answer is: have our Christian endeavours been aimed at anything below this great point? Or have you reneged on your promise to follow Christ and obey the Great Commission? If that is the case, then we need to amend our ways.

Paul knew the natural state of man and did not try to educate them, but to save them. He saw men sinking to hell and did not talk of refining them, but of saving them from the wrath to come. To ensure their salvation, he worked to spread the gospel, beseeching men to reconcile to God. He had the passion to save souls. He became a servant to all for the sake of the gospel.

He took the Master’s charge in Mark 16:15: “… Go ye into the world, and preach the gospel…” seriously.

Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks expressly to us without any limitation. We must acknowledge the fact that reason many sinners have not heard the gospel is because Christians have not taken the charge seriously.

If we must be counted as good Christians, if we must douse the tension in our lands, we must do everything for the sake of the gospel; preach it, in and out of season to our politicians, leaders, parents, elders, children and youths. In doing this, the criminal, the mischief-maker and the troublemaker turn a new way of life in Christ.

If Jesus died for sinners, can’t we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where is our love for the dying souls?