Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!wuarchive!bcm!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: psburns@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (MAUREEN BURNS) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Soul winners Message-ID: Date: 25 Jan 91 05:44:06 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center Lines: 67 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , arm@Neon.Stanford.EDU (Alexander d Macalalad) writes... >In article bwood@su1b.uucp (Barbara Wood) writes: >>Those of us still here have the responsibility to not only worship God >>but also to be a SOUL WINNER! > >The first time that I heard the phrase "soul winner" (not too long ago) there >was something that immediately disturbed me about the phrase. I couldn't quite >put my finger on what was disagreeable, but now that I see it here I think that >I am able to discern it more clearly. > >What bothers me is the implication that we have the ability (and here Barbara >claims we have the responsibility) to "win souls" and turn them back to God. >I have enough problems with my own salvation without having to worry about >saving others. I don't mean that to sound selfish. I try to be as loving >to others as I can, and I try to bring the gospel to others by living it in >my life. But ultimately the decision to turn back to God rests with each >individual. > >I guess I like better the image of the disciples being called to be fishers >of men. Here, the "fish" must make the first nibble to be saved. > >Alex Macalalad To struggle with the idea of being a "soul winner" does not indicate that you are necessarily selfish. The phrase "win souls" is scriptural, and is found in Proverbs: "He who wins souls is wise" (Forgive me, I can't recall the chapter and verse of that one.) Whether you call it winning souls, being fishers of men, spreading the Good News, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching to the uttermost parts of the world, the message is clear We have the responsibility to tell others of Jesus Christ and the hope for eternal life through his death on the cross. Of course, we simply cannot do all of this on our own power. We can only do it through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who equips us with "everything we need for doing his will, his good, pleasing and perfect will (Hebrews 12:?? I think) ( I'm not very good with remembering the addresses of Scripture.) You mentioned that you struggle with your own salvation. Again, I would not say that indicates a selfish condition, but rather a limited knowledge of the Bible which I believe with all my heart clearly give complete assurance of salvation. Salvation is not based on emotions, or brownie points, but it is an issue of the mind and will. It is an conscious intellectual decision. The emotional part of it comes and goes, as it does in any relationship. Consider this analogy: You are born into a family. By definition, defacto , you have a relationship with the members of that family. The degree of intimacy with the members and the head of the family is merely your personal choice. You can chose to sever the ties to the family, but even in doing that, the fact remains that you are a member of that family. You simply cannot change that fact, no matter what your behavior is. However, the emotional involvement of that relationship is pretty much in your hands It's the same with our salvation. When we accept Jesus as savior, we become a member of his family, a part of the Body of Christ. We define a relationship with Him. That fact will never be changed. However, we can choose to nurture the intimacy of that relationship with him and the rest of the Body through prayer, Bible studying, worship, fellowship, and evangelization. A long response to a short note, huh. I really am as talkative as my response suggests. Ask my friends. Am I making my points clear? I know Satan can do a real job of clouding up some real critical issues in Scripture. Don't let him do it!! Maureen Burns