To what extent are we willing to trust God? Are we willing to trust His plan for evangelism? As God’s people, we need to be assured of God’s wisdom for church growth because our Father knows best.
Our Father knows the best mission, the salvation of souls. No doubt, it is that the highest calling because the soul is our most precious possession. This why Jesus once asked, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). Truly, to lose one’s soul would be the greatest tragedy. Yet, to secure the salvation of the soul, the soul must obey the truth (1 Pet. 2:22; Jas. 1:21). Therefore, God has entrusted the church with the greatest mission, the proclamation of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 10:10, 14, 17). It is our responsibility to make sure the lost have the opportunity to obey. If we choose to take our mission lightly, who will turn the sinner from error?
Our Father knows the best method. The church is to grow as we go. In fact, the Savior commanded, “GO… and make disciples…” (Matt. 28:19). Therefore, the church grows in souls as we go throughout the world letting our lights shine (Matt. 5:16), teaching publicly or from house to house (Acts 20:20). Therefore, the right method involves every member being a “go-getter.” Both men and women can be soul-winners, just consider Aquila and Pricilla. Both young and old can win souls too, just consider Paul and Timothy. Also, young Christians will always need the older Christian to teach them how and set the right example as soul winners (Tit. 2:1-8). God has blessed every Christian with many opportunities at almost every stage of life.
Our Father knows the best mentality. God gave no boundaries (Acts 1:8) because He loves every soul, and each person has the right to hear the saving message (2 Pet. 3:9). Therefore, we must have the right mentality and believe that every soul is important to Him. For this reason, God gave us the means for growth (the gospel). He has given us the promise of growth if we sow and water (1 Cor. 3:6), and He has given us the confidence to go into all the world, because He will be with us always (Matt. 28:20)!
-John Garza