Winning of Souls
Paul addressed division in the church in his letter to the Corinthians. He scolded them for behaving like people of the flesh, rather that people of the spirit. Paul said he fed them with milk as they were not yet ready for the solid food of the word. He was disappointed that they were still not ready for solid food, but were rather behaving like infants. Paul’s concern was that there was strife and envy among them. “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human” (1 Corinthians 3:4)? The strife and rivalry was over which apostle each set of disciples followed.
Paul explained that both he and Apollos were servants of God, assigned to lead people to God. He used the analogy of planting, to say that if he planted and Apollos watered, that God received the increase. Both the person who planted the seed and the one who watered it, were working towards the same outcome. Paul drew another comparison between soul winning and building. He stated that if he laid a foundation, that someone else would come along to build on that foundation. Paul cautioned each builder to take care how he built. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Paul was speaking to the spirit of division, which was present in the church during his time and is still present in our church today. We have to keep in focus the mission and mandate, to build and establish the kingdom of God. Some of us are planters, some are waterers and others are reapers. Some people will lay a solid foundation and another person will build on that foundation. What we need to remember is that we don’t own people. A soul won belongs to Christ and the Evangelist, the Teacher or Prophet are working for God. Souls are won into the kingdom of God, to save them from eternal damnation.
It is difficult that the body of Christ can sometimes be so divided. Some churches forget that whether a member attends their church or another congratulation, that the main concern should be that they serve God. The emphasis can sometimes become about gaining numbers, for reasons that are sometimes not genuine. All believers are called to win souls for God and have a mandate, to go into the world and teach all nations about God. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
August 17, 2022
