Joy in Capturing Souls

“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.