Monday, September 4, 2023
CONTENDING FOR LOST SOULS – Pastor Chris
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV).
When it comes to winning souls, we must recognise that we are engaged in a “fight.” The Apostle Paul calls it the good fight of faith, because there’re evil and desperately wicked spirits that seek to keep people away from experiencing salvation.
If the sinners don’t receive the Gospel, it’s not because our gospel is difficult or obscure; it’s because Satan has blinded their minds. That’s what we read in our opening verse. Satan is actively working to obstruct their understanding and reception of the truth; that’s why we must intercede for them.
Soul winning is more than just telling someone about Christ; there’s also the fight we fight in prayers. Even when they hear and accept our message, Satan still tries to hinder their growth and progress in Christ, attempting to impede their journey of spiritual maturity. What are we supposed to do? Fight! We contend for their souls in prayer.
It brings to mind what Paul said in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” This is soul-travail! You pray passionately that every resistance to their spiritual growth and progress is broken; and that their desire for the things of the Spirit is sustained in them as they grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have these in mind as you go forth preaching the Gospel everywhere.Always pray that those with whom you share the message will receive it with faith,and that Satan’s bondage and deception are destroyed Amen.
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CONFESSION: Dear Father, I am grateful you entrusted me with the sacred task of sharing the message of eternal life with those around me and in distant lands. I’m filled with a deepened sense of zeal for lost souls, and I affirm that the radiant light of your glorious Gospel shines brightly in the hearts of the lost. I declare that this light dismantles the chains of religious bondage and dispels darkness, bringing forth freedom and salvation, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:6 [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. 19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
Matthew 28:19-20 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 2:5- 3:1-6 & Proverbs 14-15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 20:39-47 & 1 Samuel 23
