51
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
February, 1933
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f f i GREATEST BUS INESS in i k S W o r U
B y PAUL W.JRDOD T u r lo c k , California
T HE GREATEST business in the world is God’s busi ness. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. His business is the disciples’ business. “ As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20: 21). W e are coworkers with God. Empowered by the indwelling Christ, we are to witness for Him and to win the lost. This is our main business in the world. We are to continue this work till Jesus comes. W h y S hould W e B e in T h is B usiness ? A humane feeling should lead us out into the work of soul saving. We are willing to do everything in our power to relieve physical distress. The San Francisco earthquake, the Japanese earthquake, the Mississippi flood, and similar catastrophies call forth a wonderful generosity. This generosity is shown by all classes o f people. When we Christian people think of the spiritual distress existing among those who know not God, should we not be willing to sacrifice time, energy, and money to relieve such distress? W e know something about sin and its awful con sequences. W e know that men and women out of Christ are lost. We know that only Jesus can save. If we have a feel ing for our fellows, surely we should do everything in our power to tell them of Jesus, the wonderful Saviour of the lost. A recognition o f our indebtedness should inspire us to soul winning. Paul said, “ I am a debtor.” He recognized his indebtedness to the Roman world as well as to his own people. He was ready to pay that debt. We are debtors to our neighbors and to our home com munity as well as to the regions beyond. The Lord is de pending upon us to tell the world of His redemption. “ If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will I require at thine hand” (Ezek. 33 :8). Obedience to the Lord is also a motive for soul-win ning. When we call Jesus Lord, then we are duty bound to obey Him. He said: “ Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” Our duty is to follow Jesus. The implication is that, if we follow Him, He will make us soul-winners. Then it is also true that, if we are not win ning souls, we are not following Jesus. Another reason why every Christian should be a soul- winner is the assurance o f reward. In Daniel 12 :3, we read these words: “ And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness o f the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” There is a special promise of reward do those who win souls. There is a special crown for the soul-winner. We should all be ambitious to secure this crown. T he C onditions for S uccess T o insure success in God’s business, holy enthusiasm is necessary. People can be extremely enthusiastic over
various things of the world, while there is little enthusiasm among the people o f God for that which is of supreme importance. Yet the most thrilling story in the world is the story we have to tell. Let us tell the world enthusiastically about thè Saviour who has done so much for us. Even more important than enthusiasm is the spirit of concern. Do we really love Jesus? Do we really love thé lost? Have we a real passion for souls? W e need to have that passion which Moses had when he said: “ Yet now if thou will forgive them their sin— ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” 'W e need to have the tenderness and concern o f Jere miah : “ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a foun tain o f tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter o f my people !” We need to have the passion of Paul when he says : “ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my breth ren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” W e read concerning our Saviour, “ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, : and wept over it.” Do we ever weep over cities o f the world ? Did you ever weep for your own city ? One day toward the close of his life, D. L. Moody whs out riding with a friend. Suddenly he stopped, and with tears rolling down his cheeks, he cried out from the depths o f his heart : “ Lord, stir the cities of America once more !” Should not we echo that prayer? O ur P rospects Business men frequently have a list of prospects. Who are our prospects in doing business for God ? Our first prospects are our relatives. One of the re markable statements in the first chapter of John concerns Andrew— “ he first findeth his own brother Simon, arid saith unto him, W e have found the Messias.” W e do not know much about Andrew, but the supreme thing about his life was that he brought his brother Peter to Jesus. We can all be Andrew Christians. We may not have outstand ing talents, but we can all have the love o f God in Our hearts and witness for Jesus. The friends with whom we come in contact in our work or neighborhood are prospects in doing business for God. The greatest benefit you can confer upon a friend is to tell him about Jesus. Our prospects are also found outside our relationship and circle o f friends. As a matter of .fact, our opportunity is God’s measure o f responsibility. Any person with whom we come in contact in business life, in social life, on trains or boats, during our vacation, is a legitimate prospect. We should prayerfully seek the guidance o f the Holy Spirit, that we may speak to the right one in the right way. M ethods to E mploy The first essential requirement in successful soul-wine ning is a vital Christian experience. It goes without saying
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