While it is true that no two persons are exactly alike, it is equally true that human nature is about the same the world over. And since all men possess certain natural desires, all are subject to similar temptations and susceptible to similar influences. There are therefore a few fundamental facts which have a more or less direct bearing on every case, and may profitably be studied with care by one who seeks to become a successful soul winner.
Whenever possible it is helpful to learn all one can of an individual's background, environment, education, and health. Often the worker encounters some baffling problem in an individual's experience, which is not solved until information is gained which proves the key to unlock the right door. The majority of persons who are convicted but have made no definite move, are intrenched behind some comparatively simple barrier. If this can be dissolved or demolished by help that is kind, convincing, and authoritative, and is accompanied by the Spirit of God, the victory is won. For our help in such efforts we have the most wonderful instruction in the world given us in the Spirit of prophecy. We will note some of these statements which we believe can be used to meet certain problems presented to every active soul winner.
1. It is not uncommon for a young person to say, "I have tried to be a Christian, but it all seems unreal, and my prayers do not seem to go higher than my head."
Such a person must be impressed with the necessity of manifesting an earnestness proportionate to the seriousness of the issue involved. It will often be found that the individual has made but feeble, shallow efforts to lay hold of eternal life. He is enthusiastic enough in other things, but knows nothing of what it means to be "in dead earnest" in seeking after God.
"Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.' Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin."--"Steps to Christ," pp. 39, 40 (ed. 1908).
"If we would develop a character which God can accept, we must form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to often lift the thoughts to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it back; by persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy. We cannot for one moment separate ourselves from Christ with safety. We may have His presence to attend us at every step, but only by observing the conditions which He has Himself laid down.
"Religion must be made the great business of life. Everything else should be held subordinate to this. All our powers of soul, body, and spirit must be engaged in the Christian warfare. We must look to Christ for strength and grace, and we shall gain the victory as surely as Jesus died for us."-"Bible Sanctification," p. 79 (1886).
2. Many times the personal worker meets the statement, "I do not care to be a hypocrite. if being a Christian means being like these church members, I do not wish to be one."
It is not difficult to show how shallow and hypocritical such an excuse is. No man can deny that his life comes from God originally, and is maintained by His mercy and love every moment. Nor can he deny that God paid an infinite price in the sacrifice of His Son to redeem every sinner; therefore both by creation and by redemption the individual is justly and rightfully God's property. To withhold that which belongs to another is neither honest nor honorable, and it does not look well for one so doing to complain of hypocrisy in others.
"The impenitent sometimes excuse themselves by saying of professed Christians, 'I am as good as they are. They are no more self-denying, sober, or circumspect in their conduct than I am. They love pleasure and self-indulgence as well as I do.' Thus they make the faults of others an excuse for their own neglect of duty. But the sins and defects of others do not excuse any one; for the Lord has not given us an erring, human pattern. The spotless Son of God has been given as our example, and those who complain of the wrong course of professed Christians are the ones who should show better lives and nobler examples. If they have so high a conception of what a Christian should be, is not their own sin so much the greater? They know what is right, and yet refuse to do it."----"Steps to Christ," pp. 36, 37.
3. There are those who are sad and discour aged because they "lack the feeling of joy and satisfaction which they understand to be an essential part of the Christian experience."
In dealing with these it is extremely important that plain, simple instruction be repeated frequently, until knowledge, feeling, and will are all properly adjusted to the daily experience.
"Many who are sincerely seeking for holiness of heart and purity of life seem perplexed and discouraged. They are constantly looking to themselves, and lamenting their lack of faith; and because they have no faith, they feel that they cannot claim the blessing of God. These persons mistake feeling for faith. They look above the simplicity of true faith, and thus bring great darkness upon their souls. They should turn the mind from self, to dwell upon the mercy and goodness of God and to recount His promises, and then simply believe that He will fulfill His word. We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ's sake accepts us, and forgives our sins.
"Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul, and threaten to overwhelm us; but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God.
"At times a deep sense of our unworthiness will send a thrill of terror through the soul; but this is no evidence that God has changed toward us, or we toward God. No effort should be made to rein the mind up to a certain intensity of emotion. We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light."—"Bible Sanctification," pp. 75, 76.
Modesto. Calif.