Words to Winners of Souls

Several months back I picked up a booklet that had been on my desk for a long while. As I read, the words on the page prodded and poked at me. Although written in the mid 1800s, the words were timely and fresh. The author, Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), wrote with great conviction and insight. It is apparent that this Scottish 'shepherd' loved the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and also had a love for those who were perishing without Him. Bonar did not promote the sort of programmatic fluff that is labeled evangelism today. He advocated a heart-level, relational type of ministry that was common among pastors of a bygone era.

Here is a brief passage from the opening chapter: "We take for granted that the object of the Christian ministry is to convert sinners and to edify the body of Christ. No faithful minister can possibly rest short of this. Applause, fame, popularity, honor, wealth - all these are vain. If souls are not won, if saints are not matured, our ministry itself is vain."

I commend Words to Winners of Souls to every Christian minister. You must purchase this book and read it soon. Certainly, it is a book that all Christians should read. Indeed all of us have been charged with the task of sharing Christ. We need to be reminded of our duties, of the urgency of our task and of the lostness of the world around us. Graves are being filled with the unconverted, and the Church for the most part is standing by paying lip service to the gospel and evangelism. God help us!

I find that my days are tangled up in a multitude of tasks that have nothing whatsoever to do with reaching the lost with the truth of God's grace in Christ Jesus. I suspect the same is true for you. We must live with a greater sense of urgency and a deeper love for those around us who are not in Christ. Our Lord has commissioned us to be engaged as 'winners of souls.'

"But why is it Good?"

Early in the week while some adults were discussing 'grown up things' my youngest daughter interjected a question. This is a common occurrence in our home, she is never at a loss for words and is very inquisitive. We were discussing Easter week and someone mentioned "Good" Friday. My little one, with a puzzled look asked, "But why is it good?"

What a great question. It strikes at the heart of the matter I think. All she knows is that the word 'good' usually describes something that is pleasant or enjoyable. Why would we refer to a day of the week, near Easter, as 'Good?' So, I took about 5 seconds and told her that Good Friday was the day that Jesus died to pay for our sins, and that is why it is good. (A half-hearted attempt at parenting in hindsight. So much for shepherding the flock huh? I plan to revisit the question this weekend.)

While what I told her is true, in my estimation, I pondered my response later. Actually, I was curious as to why we call it Good Friday. I found very few sources that relayed anything solid. The best I could determine is that the word 'Good' is a very old word that perhaps used to mean something else. Centuries ago it may have been called 'God's Friday' or something similar.

Given that this is the week of Easter I have been thinking much about the cross and the empty tomb. And simply put, I stand amazed. Mainly because when I realize that Jesus Christ died in my place, that He died to pay my sin debt, that on the cross He bore my punishment, I am completely blown away. In the process, the Son of God was even estranged and abandoned by His Heavenly Father. Leading up to the event of the cross Jesus himself asked if this horrific event could be avoided. He was whipped and beaten to death. All of this was not only for me. My mountain of sin alone is shocking. Think about your sin and all the multitudes of believers for whom Christ died.

His work, on my behalf, brought about the single greatest 'good' ever in my life. I was in such a pit of sin when my Redeemer came and rescued me. I was completely undeserving, running away from God. My load of sin was exchanged for His perfect Righteousness.

What GRACE! What a Savior! I would certainly call that 'Good.'
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