JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - Faith of a Soulwinner

     Commitment, what does it really mean? According to Encarta Encyclopedia, commitment is responsibility and loyalty. Responsibility in a sense that it takes up one’s time or energy because of one’s obligation. Loyalty in a sense that devotion or dedication is offered to a cause, person or relationship. Let us make a few examples;
          1.     A taxi-driver
          2.     A doctor
          3.     A saleslady
     These three types of people have certain commitments. A taxi-driver is committed to drive safely and responsibly; having loyalty to the management and the passengers. A doctor is committed to his profession in giving proper treatment to his patients; having loyalty to their oath (Hippocratic Oath). A sales-lady is committed to giving good and quality service to their customers; having loyalty to the management and the costumers.

Commitment is a different level of service.

     Many people today are workers in their own trade but are not committed. Security guards must be committed to protect their assigned areas of responsibility but some become crooks and began stealing from their own area of responsibility. Doctors are supposed to check on the health of people but their commitment is not on the patient’s health but on their checks/financial assets. Salesladies are supposed to be committed to their customers but they are committed to their salaries.

     If commitment is a higher level of service, what kind of commitment will a Christian have?

     Christians are committed to Christ Jesus. The moment they received Him as their personal God and Saviour, they must be committed to the words or commandments of God. In Mark 12:29-31, Christians are committed to know God, to love God and to love one’s neighbor. Thus, Christians are given responsibilities to have time and energy to know and love God and to love one’s neighbor. Christians are to give their loyalty to God alone.

     If Christians are committed to Christ Jesus, what are our responsibilities? Let us take it step-by-step first: In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus spoke of treasures. These treasures are categorized in three: treasures in heaven, treasures in earth and treasures of the heart. Jesus was so specific in His teaching that He taught people about financial, emotional, physical and spiritual blessings all-in-one. There is much to be said here but I would rather go straight to the point. First, the Lord said that we are not supposed to lay up treasures for ourselves here on earth but rather lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven. Proverbs 23:4 states “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” Two questions begin to arise. First, what is the treasure to be laid in heaven? Second, are we commanded by God not to gain wealth? Let us answer each one as detailed as this page could accommodate.

The Treasure Laid in Heaven.

     Is the treasure in heaven the same treasure here on earth? No. If you say treasure, it means something or someone very important or valuable. If you knew that there is a barrel of precious stones buried under your backyard, what would you do? But we could not equate these treasures unto the treasures in heaven. What is the treasure in God’s sight? Some Christians say good works; others say proper display of faith. But to be honest, good works and proper display of faith is for man not for God (read Matt. 7:22-23). In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the Father was not concentrated on riches but on His lost son. Even if the son wasted his fortune, the Father was waiting for His son’s return and when he did return, He made a feast. From this parable, we can conclude that the treasure that the Lord speaks is the lost soul that God seeks. Seeking the lost was the mission of Christ Jesus. Thus, Jesus ordained us to soul-win (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 15:16). It was a go-Go-GO command. So, the more souls won for Christ is the greater treasure that is laid up in heaven.

The Treasure in Earth.

     Does God want us to lay up treasures here on earth? Well, the answer is quite shocking; it is a very big no. Wait, do you mean to say that we don’t have the right to gain wealth? Let us answer that in Scriptural passages: Deut. 8:18 states that God has given us the power to gain wealth. Thus, Matthew 6:19 never meant about getting rich or wealthy but about gaining rich and wealth. It is very clear that God wants to give us wealth and abundance in life; Deut. 28:2 states that blessings shall come and overtake us; verse 8 states that God will command the blessing unto our storehouses; verse 13 states that we are the head not the tail, we are above and not beneath. Thus, it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

     Let us try to recapitulate these two treasures: Luke 6:38 states “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” What does the word Give implies? If we try to understand the verse, we must give unto the Lord; and with the same measure we have given it shall be measured back to us. It means God’s barometer of giving is the treasure we give in heaven and our barometer of receiving is the treasure that we need here, right now, on earth. If we give to God the treasure He wanted, He will give back unto us according to the measure of what we have given. Further verses state that we seek first His kingdom and righteousness and all the things the nations seek shall be added unto us (Luke 12:31; Matthew 6:33). Note the word added: it means accumulation; laying up but not of ourselves but by God. Thus, the power to gain wealth is through soul-winning. But there is another thing that needs to be discussed; the treasure of our hearts.

The Treasure of the Heart.

     This is where commitment steps in. This is where the questions on one’s loyalty to God arise. Up to what extent will you serve the Lord? Can you live up with the word Christian branded on your character? Can you live up to the expectation of God?

          FIRE is very important in every commitment. Christians must be Fervent in their Christian lifestyle. They must create a very strong Impression. Their Reverence on God overwhelms all odds. And they have very high Expectation from the Lord.

          Fervent, meaning zealous or with much enthusiasm - Christians are filled with zeal when soul-winning. They are never content on winning a few souls. They always hunger for more. It is like a craving for something to eat; you just can’t get enough.

          Impression - You can always tell someone they’re in love with the expression of their eyes. The same is true with one’s light (Christ shown in our lives). The eye is the passageway of the heart. You can always tell a Christian by their eyes, their movements; their talk. Someone once said, “The eye is the gate of the heart”. I believe that is true. Some people can hide their feelings by body actions and facial expressions but you can’t hide it with your eyes. Thus, impression is very important. If there is a fire that burns in you, you express it with your eyes. If your heart is filled with rage, your eyes show hatred. If your heart is filled with sorrow, your eyes show loneliness. If your heart is filled with the love of Jesus, your eyes show love and kindness. Matthew 5:16 states “Let your light so shine before men…”

          Reverence - Obedience is the number one virtue all Christians must have. Through obedience comes knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Through knowledge comes love. Through love comes trust. Through trust comes hope. Through hope comes the blessing. If you want to have reverence with the Lord, if you want to obey God in a certain point, go and soul-win; observe and obey the Great Commission.

          Expectation - Of course, why else would you even bother to soul-win if you don’t expect anything? The reason why prayers are not answered is because there are no petitions. Christians are running a race and this race is a race to obtain the prize (1 Cor 9:24). You don’t run a race and expect nothing. There is no goal, no purpose. If you don’t expect from God then you don’t trust on God. Christians without expectations are not true Christians. Christians with small expectations are doubting Christians. Christians with great expectations are great Christians.