“The
fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”
–Proverbs 11:30
I
was recently in a grocery store examining hot sauces for the best sauce with
the lowest sodium. A stranger approached me in my peripheral without my notice.
“Mister,” said the elderly man, “can I give you something?” His right hand
outstretched toward me as I held my angle toward the hot sauces. In his hand
was a gospel tract. I took the tract and looked him in the eyes. He was smiling
as he asked me, “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
Social
taboos did not stop him from telling a complete stranger about Jesus. The
encounter led my mind to think about the depths of love a Christian has for
Christ who should be worshiped by all people, and the depths of love for lost
sinners to tell even strangers of Jesus.
This
Holy Spirit inspired Proverb tells us that the Christian is a fruit-bearer, not
only as a personal blessing, but in the capturing of souls. Souls on the path
to death captured by the wise Christian unashamed of the gospel as the power of
God to save sinners (Romans 1:16).
The
wise fruit-bearing Christian “brings back a sinner from his wandering” and
saves “his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). This
fruit-bearing is wisdom of love that covers the transgressions of others in the
soul-capturing efforts, not stirring divisions in hatred (Proverbs 10:12). Such
soul-winners are upright in heart, wise in fruit-bearing.
This
elderly stranger had an affection for Christ and for me in the simplicity of
handing me a tract and asking me about my relationship with my Lord. An
affection that exceeded any social fears or politeness to keep to himself. What
an honorable quality.
Christian,
you are called by the Father, equipped by the Holy Spirit and His Word, and
commissioned by Christ Jesus to be a capturer of souls. For the salvation of
lost souls into eternal joy, and for the gladness to our Savior’s heart, be a
soul-winner. Spurgeon puts it best:
“What would you give to cause a thrill of pleasure in the heart of the Well-beloved? Recollect the grief you cost Him, and the pangs that shot through Him that He might deliver you from your sin and its consequences; do you not long to make Him glad? When you bring others to His feet, you give Him joy, and no small joy either. Is not that a wonderful text,—'There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth'?” (TheSoul-Winner).
My
brothers and sisters in Christ, let us give our Savior joy and do the work of
an evangelist. Let us spend ourselves to the saving of souls. May the pains and
griefs of a dying world stir our hearts to tell them the good news carried by
beautiful feet. Let us love Christ and our neighbors to speak in the name of
Jesus to others.
Heavenly Father, increase our love
for our Savior and compassion for the lost. Make us wise in Your holy
Scripture; make us fishers of men. Make us capturers of souls, bringing the
lost to the feet of our Savior. Grant to us the words to say we ought and
boldness to speak them. All to glorify the great name of our mighty working God
of grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
