Monday, December 02, 2013

How to win souls and convert sinners.

I watched a sermon tonight that led me to a scripture, which led me to think of another scripture and when I looked up that scripture... wow. Just wow.

Okay, this will. not. work. as. well. unless you read the following verses out loud and with an utterly sincere tone, perhaps even desperate tone, to your voice But man, the fire it burns in me when I do.. here we go - READ OUT LOUD:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from mine sin. For I know mine iniquities, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, against thee only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight, that thou will be just when thou speak, and pure when thou judge. Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. Behold, thou lovest truth in the inward affections: therefore hast thou taught me wisdom in the secret of mine heart.Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones, which thou hast broken, may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and put away all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thine holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and establish me with thy free Spirit. - Psalms 51:1-12

You cannot read these verses with a tone of boredom. You cannot read these verses and be unaffected. You cannot read these verses without gaining fresh respect for the holiness and righteousness and goodness of God.
You cannot read these verses without knowing that David, the person who wrote them, was desperately seeking after God.
I cannot read them tonight without that desperate tone in my voice, Oh God, purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean! Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow! 
I cannot change myself, I cannot clean myself, I have an absolute need for a Savior, a Redeemer who alone can make me clean.
But this chapter gets even better. It does not stop there with his plea, but the very next verse has a promise. It says this:
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalms 51:13
Everyone understands what "then" signifies. It holds a promise, IF this happens THEN this will.
How often have I prayed to be able to win souls to the Lord? Here is a promise, If we pray Psalms 51, verses 1-12, and God answers to cleanse us from sin - then verse 13 will happen. Then I will teach Gods ways to the wicked and sinners will be converted to God.
If you feel you are not winning souls to God, if you are not teaching Gods ways to the wicked - get down on your knees and pray Psalms 51:1-12.
If it is in the Bible, it IS a strong promise. Before we can win others to God - first we ourselves must be clean. It isn't optional. Go to your Redeemer, be washed and clean, and then with the fresh joy in your salvation that God gives, you will be a fisher of men.
It is a promise.