THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE PASSIONATE SOUL WINNER.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Rom.9:3:

*For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Winning souls has little effect if the soul winner has little love for the lost.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Paul teaches us the true heart of a soul winner.

Rom 9 begins his inner struggle and eagerness with *"....great heaviness and continual sorrow...."* in his heart to have Israel saved, Rom 9:2.

His conscience was troubled, and without anyone recorded as having doubt over his zeal and truthfulness to have them saved, he wrote *"l say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,"*, Rom 9:1.

To illustrate his die hard commitment to this course, he made one of the most moving statements that stands unmatched in biblical history of the early church of how a man would curse himself for the sake of the lost.

In Rom 9: 3, Paul accursed himself to hell. He cursed himself to destruction in eternal hell, knowing fully well that hell is a forever separation from Christ because of his kinsmen, Israel, for the sake of saving them.

He was willing to forfeit his salvation, if, this could save them.

Jesus is our foundation, and in Him is the true definition of soul-winning, ref John 14:6; 15:4-5.

Paul's word, however, stands as an example of a core value of a passionate soul winner, and his statement serves as one of the fundamental principles upon which effective soul winning is laid.

A passionate soul winner is one willing to lose his most valued treasure for the sake of the lost.

Paul's conviction should not surprise us.

In the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus laid this foundation telling us how the shepherd left ninety-nine for the sake of finding and getting back one lost sheep, Lk 15.

This illustration of a true soul winner may not meet our sense of understanding and reasoning, but if you have ever been lost, you would appreciate being found.

If you have ever lost something dear to you, you would appreciate it when you find it.

For every lost soul that is found, Heaven rejoices because of the worth of a soul, Luke 15:7

As for Paul, one would be asking 'Why would he be willing to loose his most valued or better explained his salvation, so invaluable, that could not be bought with money, inestimable, all important or absolutely necessary for his eternal life for the lost soul?

Also 'What if something had happened to the shepherd when he left the ninety-nine to look for one lost soul?

In both cases, the salvation of Paul and the good shepherd in the parable though inestimable, did not mean anything to them as long as lsrael was saved and the lost sheep was found and was restored respectively.

People like Paul were not fulfilled until the unsaved find fulfilments in Christ.

Paul was an example of those who were saved yet urged the unsaved to come and taste that the Lord is good, ref Ps 34:8-9.

He teaches us that soul winning is a heart.

It takes a heart of flesh that has feelings. It takes a heart better than the heart of stone, Ezk 36:26. Only a heart of flesh that is responsive to other people's much needed transformation could go as far as Paul went to curse himself.

Do you have a heart for lost souls?

*Remorse corner.*

A soul is added to the church one by one just as a soul is won by one into His presence.

*Call to Word action.*

Heaven is not meant for just you. You were won for the Lord by someone, so it is important you also win someone to Christ.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Winning souls has little or no effect if the soul winner has little or no love for the lost.

*Prayer.*

Lord, give me a heart for lost souls, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.