Inasmuch as the Great Commission is binding upon all Christians, it behooves us to do all within our power to convert men to Jesus Christ because he is the only Savior men have. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) John Newton is reported to have said, “I am an old man and I don’t remember many things. But I remember two things: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” Have we been convinced that men will be lost eternally without Christ?
Furthermore, a deep conviction of the value of man’s soul will cause us to carry out the Great Commission. How valuable is a soul? Usually we quote Matthew 16:26 where Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Of course this does show the value of a man’s soul. It is worth more than all of the world. But if you want to really measure its worth in God’s eyes, read about the death of Christ upon the cross. The cross was the cruelest form of death known to man. The cross was the gallows of Jesus’ day; the electric chair of His age. Men were known to have lasted hours on the cross until they died of the scorching heat or heartbreaking suffering. Yet, Jesus suffered the agony of the cross because of the value God placed upon the soul of man. Every stripe Jesus received, every thorn pressed into His precious brow, every nail driven into His body was an expression of God’s evaluation of the soul’s value.
On one occasion Peter asked Christ, “Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Peter wanted to know what reward he would receive for his service. Jesus answered by promising blessings in this life and in the life to come. (Matthew 19:29) It is not an inferior motive to serve God for reward. If we do all we can to carry out the Great Commission “What shall we have therefore?” Soul winning does not pay much in material benefits or reward. If it did more people would be involved in this work. Suppose you were paid one thousand dollars for each person you converted. Would that change your attitude? Now don’t get excited. No one will pay you one thousand dollars for each convert, but God on high will give you far more. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
Another incentive for carrying out the Great Commission would be the horrors of a devil’s hell. The fact that hell is real is the most horrible and concrete fact in all of the world. The rich man in Luke 16 cried and said, “I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24). He learned the hard way that hell is real. If God’s people really were convinced that there is a hell to shun, they would be far more active in His service, trying to deter those who are headed that way.
Two men met on the street. They had been classmates in high school. One was an avowed atheist and the other a preacher. They talked for a while about old times and then the atheist asked the preacher, “Do you believe in God?” the preacher replied, “Yes.” He then asked, “Do you believe the Bible is the word of God and that all who do not obey it will go to hell?” The preacher again replied by saying, “Yes, I do.” then I must call you a liar,” said the atheist. “For if you really believed in God and really believed that I would go to hell if I didn’t obey His word, you would be talking to me about my soul.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Billy
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