What is meant by bringing souls to Jesus Christ? Getting them to be good men and women, people of exemplary conduct, loving one another, faithful and industrious, honest and helpful? Yes; Christ wishes all of this; but all of this alone would leave your students far short of being Christians, for they would not yet have reached Christ. Without Him, when they face the temptations of life, the most sedulously inculcated morality will falter and fall.
Does bringing a soul to Christ mean the teaching of correct theology, leading one to believe that Christ is very God, the only Savior of the world? Yes, that is included, for we cannot go to Christ unless we believe His claims for Himself, that He really worked His miracles and rose from the dead and ever lives to make intercession for us. But though the true views regarding Christ are essential and enormously helpful in the work of drawing souls to Christ, they are of the head not of the heart. It is with the heart and not the head that men believe and obey Jesus Christ unto salvation.
Bringing a soul nearer to Christ consists in so presenting the Savior that one will see Him in all His strength, beauty and wisdom; in all His lowliness and graciousness, and will come to love Him with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. Correct theology will inevitably follow; and without fail good fruits will be produced. Souls will want to obey Jesus, be born again, and spiritually progress in the Christian life from day to day.
Slowly, but with constant focus, the Bible teacher seeks to present Jesus Christ in every lesson; knowing that help is always present because the Master has promised the all-powerful aid of the Holy Spirit.
Copyright © 2001 StudyJesus.com. Permissions and restrictions.