Today I read a chapter of "The Soul Winner" by C. H. Spurgeon. The chapter is called "Godward Qualities for Soul-Winning." It mentions seven qualities that a soul-winner must have:
1) Holiness of Character
2) Spiritual Life to a High Degree
3) A Humble Spirit
4) A Living Faith
5) Thorough Earnestness
6) Great Simplicity of Heart
7) A Complete Surrender of Yourself to God
It has been convicting to me lately that I blame so many things for why I am not always effective at reaching my students, in the classroom and outside of the classroom, with the gospel. I blame the school, the students, society, and God's sovereignty for why I cant reach them. But I have been convicted that the first and foremost thing I need to look at is my own life. Am I living a holy life? Do I bear the characteristics that Spurgeon is talking about? If I am failing in these areas (and I am failing in every single one), I cant expect the gospel to be preached effectively through my life. Yes, I can pray to God that He would work through my faults and deliver the gospel anyway. But I dont think I can presume that on God.
Posted by todd at February 5, 2006 05:15 PM