Years ago we used to say that we are ‘saved to serve’, but that little maxim is out of fashion today. It is, however, biblical and right. This article is intended as a call to the tremendous work of the great commission of Christ to his disciples in every age – the gathering in of lost souls. At first sight this topic may not seem to relate to the personal spiritual life, but a believer whose mind and heart is not engaged in Christ’s cause cannot expect to make personal spiritual progress, for did not the Lord say, ‘Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.’ Also, he said, ‘I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit’ (John 15.8, 16). It is for this cause saved people are left in the world, and the purpose of all spiritual strength and experience is to equip us for the work.

The battle for souls is a topic which should grip the minds and hearts of all Christians, unless we have become cold and self-contented in spirit. The question behind this chapter is: Do we reflect the martial language of evangelism in the New Testament, and see ourselves as being on a war footing for the souls of men and women? Do we resemble our forebears, especially those of the early church, or of times of reformation and awakening, or any other period of strong church growth?

Tragically, it must be said that reformed Christians today do not often appear to be engaged in a battle for souls. In churches that believe the doctrines of grace it is all too rare for distinctive, dedicated, persuasive evangelistic messages to be heard, and to find really serious labour on the part of church members to reach neighbourhoods. The result of this has been a steady decline of congregations, so that now panic has set in, many reformed churches turning cap-in-hand to the ‘seeker-sensitive’ churches and saying – in effect – ‘Show us how to revive our churches; show us your contemporary praise culture and worship songs. Let us incorporate these into our worship.’ Well-known reformed figures are leading the way into a new world. For years they have been ultra-Puritans, and suddenly they have become like charismatics. The power of panic is remarkable.

In the following paragraphs we shall draw encouragement from a number of Bible passages using the language of warfare as a figure for winning the lost to Christ. This, we believe, is the missing factor among many reformed believers. Making soulwinning a central theme will restore vitality and purpose to personal spiritual lives.

To be continue