0869. The Joy in Soul-Winning

The Joy in Soul-Winning

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

"For ye are our glory and joy" (1Th_2:19-20).

There is no joy that comes to the Christian in his life of service, that exceeds the joy of leading a lost sinner to a saving faith in Christ. Such a service means joy down here, and it will surely mean joy around the throne of God.

"O, 'it would every toil repay,

If just one soul would gladly say,

To Jesus, up in Heav'n, some day,

Dear Christ, he's taught my lips to pray.'"

Illustration: A Christian woman urged us to point a friend of hers to Christ. We said, "Do you want us to rob you of your joy?" She determined to try her hand, and soon she returned so happy. She had led her friend to "saving trust," and she was glad.

Paul had labored faithfully with Onesimus. When Onesimus was saved and his jail time out, Paul wrote to Philemon: "Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord" (Phm_1:20).

Paul not only wanted Philemon to share his joy, but he wanted to share Philemon's joy; inasmuch as Onesimus was saved and was returning as more than a servant, even as a "brother beloved in the Lord."

Those who are not busy winning men for Christ are robbing themselves of much joy down here, and of a greater joy in Heaven.

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field" (Mat_13:44).

While this passage has special reference to Israel, it discovers, to us the Saviour's joy.

Illustration: One dark night there stood at the door of William E. Gladstone, the great commoner of England, a woman pleading in behalf of her dying son. "My boy is dying," said she. "I have read that you are a Christian. Will you come and show him how to be saved?"

Mr. Gladstone left an unfinished address on his desk, and went with the woman. He pointed the way of the Cross to the anxious youth, and soon he saw the lad believing in Christ with a clear and assured faith.

Just as the day was breaking Mr. Gladstone once more crossed the threshold of his door. He sat down at his desk, and on the bottom of the page of his unfinished manuscript he wrote "I am the happiest man in England to-night." He was happy not because he was to deliver in parliament, that very day at noon, a message of worldwide importance; but because he had been able to lead a lad, from the poverty of a London hovel, through the portals of Heaven into an endless life.

Yes, there is joy when a soul is saved. Joy on earth and joy in Heaven.

When the lost sheep was found, there was joy. When the lost coin was found, there was joy. When the lost son was found, there was joy. "Likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth."

"And all through the mountains thunder riven,

And up through the rocky steep,

There arose a glad cry to the gates of Heaven,

Rejoice, I have found My sheep!

And, the angels echoed around the throne,

Rejoice for the Lord brings back His own."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR