“What an honorable thing it is to be fishers of men! You should consider it a great honor to be a catcher of souls!”
– Thomas Boston

One reason why so many people have been unsuccessful in Christian work is that they present Christ ineffectively. One ought to work for Christ as he plays golf – that is, with perfect freedom. No muscle may be tense in a golf player – there has to be perfect rhythm in all his actions. This is a simple illustration of the spirit of Christian work, yet a true one. Nothing that resembles jargon and nothing that even hints at being unnatural should be present when pointing lost men to Christ. Do your work in the easiest way. Talk about your Lord and Savior in the most natural fashion. Present Him to your friends as your best friend. Show by your countenance that He is even more than you claim He is. All this must be backed up by consistent and faithful Christian living, and when you do that, you will no doubt have real success in the efforts.

There is no work in all the world so fascinating as the work of laboring for the lost. Far beyond every other experience known to man is the satisfaction that God has given to the one who really preaches the gospel – in no uncertain way, making no apology for his message, and believing it to be the very word of God and the power of God that is able to save to the uttermost. It is a joy to win souls to Christ – for when we win the lost, we set joy throbbing in the sinner’s heart, the worker’s heart, and in the heart of God.

There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

 

About the Author

J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918) was an American evangelist, pastor, and author known for his dynamic preaching style and evangelistic campaigns. He began his pastoral ministry in 1882, serving in several churches before becoming the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1890. Chapman’s ministry gained widespread attention for his emphasis on personal salvation and the power of prayer. He resigned from his pastoral position in 1903 to devote himself full-time to evangelistic work, teaming up with gospel singer Charles Alexander to conduct successful campaigns across the United States and abroad. Chapman’s legacy lives on through his writing and the numerous pastors and evangelists he influenced.

 

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