In every department of human endeavor there is a correct method, a best way of obtaining results. There are many inferior ways, but only one best way. Is it therefore surprising that in the greatest work in which human beings can engage, the work of winning souls for the kingdom of heaven, the method that will make success certain is plainly given in the Bible? And it will be well for us if we follow God's method. Otherwise we may labor in vain, gather but stubble, and lose our reward in the end. In Psalms 126:6 the divine way to work in winning souls is clearly set forth: "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." This is God's out-line for success in reaping a harvest of souls.
"He that goeth forth and weepeth." If these words mean anything, they teach that the soul winner must seriously bear his work on his heart. This scripture is a picture which each of us may well study, and we may measure our success by knowing to what extent we have met the divine requirement, "He that goeth forth and weepeth." Is it any wonder that some have brought so few to accept the truth when there have been so few tears, so few prayers for souls? How could the word of God be true, and such indifferent reapers bring in many sheaves?
The law of harvest in soul winning is to "sow in tears." But when our time and strength are spent in faultfinding, criticism, and condemning others, how can the Holy Spirit use us to gather in precious sheaves? How often workers waste their time and energy in trying to show up the weaknesses of others, in criticism and complaining, and how few tears are shed in fasting and prayer over the poor lost souls about them!
"Doubtless" is a strong affirmation that he who sows in tears shall bring forth fruit. It is even stronger than to affirm, for it eliminates all doubt; it makes it a law that cannot be questioned. It impresses us with the truth that those who do have the right spirit, who carry a burden for souls on their hearts, and who work in God's way, will bear fruit. Generally the fruitless worker is the worker who leads a careless, indifferent life, and who fails to wrestle with God in tears. Even the Holy Ghost prays for us "with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Can we expect to bear fruit when our lives are all for self and for our own selfish interests? Where is the crying of God's messengers "between the porch and the altar," saying, "Spare Thy people, O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach"? The law is, there will be soul agony before there is birth of souls. When this is found, the assurance is that "doubtless" the sower will come again, "bringing his sheaves with him."
There is something beautiful in the thought of "bringing his sheaves with him." The fruitage is recognized as belonging to the worker. He is to receive recognition for the sheaves which he has gathered under the influence of the Holy Ghost. It is wonderful how the Holy Spirit works with men, and helps them to reach hearts. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the active agency that really secures the results, but the Lord gives the reward to man. None but God can do so great and generous a thing as that. Most of us want credit for all we do, and even more than we have really done. But God eliminates Himself and all that He has done in helping us to win souls, and bestows the reward upon poor, weak man.
We are to bring our sheaves with rejoicing. It is not being workers that gives us joy; it is sheaves that give cause for rejoicing. Joy does come, but it comes only in bringing in sheaves. Some will be bitterly disappointed in the great gathering day, when we all appear before the Lord with our harvested sheaves about us. Those who have sown confusion, and failed God in bringing forth souls in tears, will look in vain for their reward; but those who have labored faithfully and with tears, will have many sheaves, and will come rejoicing in their harvest of souls. There can be no joy equal to that of being able to present to our Lord a harvest of souls in that great day.
Nothing will then count but the souls of men. Here on earth, a thousand things distract men's minds, and seem of greater importance than soul winning; but in the judgment day, when the rewards for eternity are given, humble service for Him and for the souls of men alone will count. Offices that have been held, salaries that have been received, flatteries that so inflate men here, and the riches, honors, and material possessions that are so sought after, will not count. The thing that will give greatest joy in that day will be the souls we have won to Christ.
How important it is for us now, while we have the opportunity, to do our utmost in winning men to love and serve the Lord! Our day of rejoicing is to come. Now is the sowing and the reaping time. And the way is clear how God would have us labor. We must "sow in tears" if we would "reap in joy."
I. H. E.
