“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalms 126:5-6). In this Psalm we see the soul winners’:
Compassion – “Sow in Tears”
It takes compassion to make us aware of others’ needs. Jesus was a man of compassion. Eleven times in the gospels it is recorded of Jesus “He had compassion…” (Matthew 9:36; Mark 8:2, etc.). Are we compassionate? Do we care? Are we concerned for people’s physical needs but not the spiritual? We must develop a concern and compassion for the lost. One of the great thought-provoking statements of the Bible is in Lamentations 1:12, which reads, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” As we pass by our neighbors, friends and people on the street, do we see them as souls lost in sin needing a Savior? We will have no success in soul winning until we are able to see the lost as lost and have compassion on them.
Commitment – “Goes Forth… Bearing Precious Seed”
Commitment means we will be loyal to the trust God has placed in us as His co-laborer (1 Corinthians 3:9). Commitment means dedication, patience, determination and doggedly sticking to the task! “Be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). The soul winner gets tired, but he doesn’t quit! He gets discouraged, but he does not give up! He gets frustrated, but he doesn’t give in! He has commitment!
Consistent – “Shall Doubtless Come Again… Rejoicing”
Consistency is the glue that holds it all together. Compassion and commitment pay off when there is consistency. Almost all failure in soul winning can be pinpointed by a lack of consistency. Methods have been tried, programs started, visitation teams organized, etc., and almost every time they are killed by inconsistency. It isn’t that our plans won’t work; it’s that we won’t work the plans! In a community like ours, we are going to have to dig and scratch, work and pray, beg and plead, teach and toil to win souls. Let’s be “always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Capacity – “Bringing His Sheaves with Him”
God guarantees the harvest! When we put forth the effort, doing things God’s way, the fruits of our labors will be realized. “He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said the good soil would produce ‘some a hundred fold, some sixty and some thirty.’ The joy of the harvest is the farmer’s delight! How much more is that of the one who brings the souls of men to the Lord of Harvest!
Compassion! Commitment! Consistent! Capacity! Let’s do it!
