THE ESSENCE, URGENCY AND REWARD OF PERSONAL EVANGELISM

The Essence: Personal evangelism is not only essential but equally mandatory because Jesus commanded it and He illustrated it in His earthly ministry as example to believers. God Himself started it with Abraham and He is always happy for every soul that is redeemed because it is His heart desire that sinners should not perish but come to repentance and be saved (Eze 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Also, because of extreme importance of personal evangelism, Jesus specifically prayed for believers’ sanctification so as to make them effective soul winners.

The Urgency: The urgency of Personal evangelism cannot be over emphasized because the end time has come with the Powers of darkness and apostasy fastly manifesting. Though the souls of men are very precious to God, the unregenerate souls are plenteous and soul winners are few. (Mat 9:37-38). Meanwhile, the life of man on earth is very short while life in Hell is endless and it is the eternal abode of all who die in sin (Ps 9:17). So, the time to lead others to Jesus is now.

The Reward: Apart from earthly joy and a sense of great satisfaction for faithfulness and obedience to God (James 5:20); the soul winner will obtain in heaven among others; incorruptible crown (1 Cor 9:25); the crown of life (James 1:12); the crown of glory (1Peter 5:4); the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) and the crown of rejoicing (1 Thes 2:19). The soul-winner will also enjoy acceptance and praise from Christ (2 Cor 5:9-10; Mat 25:21); receive the greatest rewards at judgment (1 Cor 3:14); shine as the stars forever (Dan 12:3) and a clear conscience regarding believers’ responsibility to the lost.