Proverbs 11:30, The Fruit of the Righteous

May 28, Proverbs 11:30

Acts 16:1-15 “To him that over cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7).

The Fruit of the Righteous

1. God’s Work: Most aim at winning something of value, worldly wealth, earthly honours, Olympic medals, or a lottery! Paul had an aim, but it was to win Christ and be found in Him (Phil.3:8-9). He then had an insatiable longing to do God’s work, to share Christ with others, whatever the cost (Rom.1:14-16)! This should be the aim of every Christian. First, you must know Christ as your own personal Saviour, and then you must tell others of the wonderful Saviour that found you! This proverb will show how soul-winning relates to God’s work, not to possessing the fortune or favour of the world.

a. Your Mandate is to win Souls. The Apostolic mandate is still your mandate too. Think of the value placed on souls by our Lord. Their price is above rubies, yea, above worlds. All we know about the soul is in the Bible. There we learn that man is made in the Image of God. He is the only creature to receive the Breath of God. Man is a compound being of Body and Soul. This soul is indestructible and is, therefore, of infinite value. Let theologians and cultists argue over the immortality of the soul, if they want. We dare not doubt that the soul has an endless existence, an eternal value, as reflected in the words of Jesus. Thomas Brooks said simply, “We do all for eternity.” What capacities for good are in a soul when won to Christ, but oh! what potential for evil and eternal loss, if not. The soul is the main-spring of life. It is the Breath of God, and the envy of devils.

b. Your Motive for winning souls. Salvation-has been called the most important word ever uttered, but to the masses it is a meaningless word, even the butt of jokes! Salvation-is surely the greatest blessing that can possibly come to a human soul! Without it, it would be better never to have been born. Salvation-is the blessed gift of God, without money and without price, because paid for by the Blood of His Blessed Son. Yet, sinful man in his pride thinks he can earn it himself! Salvation presumes the reality of sin, and that involves a Holy God, for without such a God there would be no sin, no sinners, and therefore no need of salvation. The reality of sin cannot be disputed or dodged. The Bible doesn’t have one good thing to say about human nature, apart from the in-wrought grace of God (Rom. 8:7- 8). To win souls, therefore, implies that:

i. They are otherwise lost. Men, women and precious young people are perishing without Christ, without hope (Eph.2:3,12). They need salvation, and they need it now. deliverance from the consequences of rebellion against the rule of Almighty God, and they need it now.

ii. They may be won. The hymn writer urges us to snatch them in pity punishment. from sin and the grave. The opposite of everlasting life is, of course, everlasting punishment.

iii. They may be won by someone just like you. Don’t leave it to pastors or missionaries. Sometimes they are the least effective soul-winners, though they must ever seek to do so. Would that we could say with David Brainard, “I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could but gain souls for Christ.”

Thought: “Sin has created a God-shaped vacuum in the human heart” (D. Ackland).

Prayer: Make George Whitefield’s prayer yours: “Give me souls or take my soul.”