by George Sweeting
A YOUNG c o m m u n is t shook his fist and shouted: “To- morrow the world will be ours.” In one genera tion communism has mushroomed from a small number to 800 million people— one-third of the world’s popula tion. Someone objects that communism maintains power by force. This is partly true, but remember there are nearly 30 million communist party members living outside Iron Curtain countries. Remember, too, that only a handful took over Russia and now they have invaded the most dis tant lands. In fact, the F.B.I. has estimated that there are 25,000 communists in the United States with ten fellow- travelers for every party member. You see, every com munist is a convert-maker. For communism he gives up amusements, social life and even takes an inferior job in order to bring his message into a new place. Commu nism has become the greatest missionary movement of the day. The Communists have given more dedication to Karl Marx than we have to the Lord Jesus Christ. Com munists have taken over the methods Christ used and meant His church to use. As a result, it occupies in the hearts of many the place that Christ should have. If we are to stop this phenomenal advance, the church must awaken and get back to the task of soul-winning. Jesus Christ is our supreme example in this. Soul-win ning was His first concern.“ The Son of man is come to OCTOBER, 1961
seek and. to save that which was lo st" (Luke 19:10). Paul the apostle adds: “ Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Concerning the apostolic church, we read: “ And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). There must be an honest interest in the spiritual needs of others; every believer must be a soul- winner. When the church loses compassion, Christianity con fines itself to acts of worship; but when it is filled with love for a needy world, it grows from worship to activity. This is the hour for action. We must take the offensive. We must mobilize an all-out crusade to win the lost. We can have apostolic success, if we follow the plan laid down by Christ. This is one task from which no Christian should consider himself exempt. No one speak ing to you, or working with you, should fail to receive from you a ray of Christian light and witness of what Jesus Christ can do. Jesus said: “ Ye shall be witnesses unto md, (Acts 1:8). Soul-winning is every Christian’s job. The hammer and the sickle demand a lot, but Christ and His cross demand all. Available In printed form from the American Tract Society, 513 West 166th Street, New York 32, N.Y. 11
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