Articles
And the Winner Is...
Any time someone is converted to Christ, we as Christians have a lot to be thankful for. What a wonderful blessing it is, to see someone with an honest, penitent heart turn to the Lord. How did all this come about? We feel like we need someone to thank -- someone to pin an award on and say, “Way to go! You did it! You brought someone to Christ!” Who gets the credit for this wonderful event?
The truth of it all is that many were involved with this particular event, and many are still involved in bringing others to Christ. We have a wonderful opportunity with the Dial-a-Bible message. Maybe we should mail a gold star to Ricky Shanks, since he is the one who has recorded the good Bible-based thoughts for everyday of the week. But was he the most influential in this process? Who should we consider next? What about the one who posted a sign in his yard, or handed a card to someone he met, had the number for the daily Bible message on his car, or called it himself and discussed it with someone they knew? Our business cards are a wonderful way to reach out to others. We need to do that more! We need to be the type of people who want to teach others the words of God. We need to “talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way” (Deut. 6:7).
Down the list we could go, trying to find who was the one who wins the prize for reaching the lost of the world. We could have been the one to mail out a correspondence lesson, or studied with an interested individual. Let’s not forget the ones who pray diligently everyday for God’s word to reach the ones who need it. It seems like a tight race.
Now, you probably realize that we are not really seeking out someone to win this made up competition. In reality, it is not a competition at all, but a group effort that leads ultimately to the glorification of God. Each individual who has been working in some way to reach others finds a victory in the salvation of one soul who is saved. Every person involved is truly invaluable in reaching the lost. We all have work to do, and we are all successful when we do that work!
There are many winners when a soul is saved. First and foremost, glory is brought to our God. Anytime a soul turns in faithful obedience to the father of lights, the angels in heaven rejoice. We on earth recognize the power of the gospel message, and the wonderful grace of God at work even today. What a great victory for God’s kingdom! Second, the one who responds to the gospel is the winner. He has won life, freedom, forgiveness, and hope. What greater award is there? Last, but certainly not least, the ones who are at work everyday trying to touch others with the simple story of Christ are winners. In fact, all Christians share in God’s victory as His word is spread. We should rejoice that we have had a small part in “teaching the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
We serve a great and awesome God, a merciful king and loving father who desires that all should reach repentance (cf 2 Peter 3:9). Without Him, we would be without hope, and none would be saved. We should always be dedicated in our efforts to work for our Lord, knowing that we could be the only contact any have with Christ. We must always humbly give thanks like Paul: “God gave the growth... Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
