Let Us Work On!

There is probably nothing more discouraging in the work of ministry than personal evangelism. For the most part, those who are faithful to share the gospel will find more "sowing" than actual "reaping." In other words, fewer conversions will be seen in comparison to the number of sinners who are actually reached with the gospel. This is the norm in evangelistic work. But despite this fact, God's faithful servants should not get discouraged - but keep preaching and praying for the salvation of men. Yet, even with this exhortation, discouragement will set in. So, when we are despondent and down in this sacred work because we are seeing little fruit, what should we do? What can keep us pressing on in our spreading of the gospel?

In his wonderful commentary series on the Gospels, J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) gives some sage words of strong counsel and deep encourgement for all saints in the hard work of personal evangelism. He bases these words on John 4:31-42. I hope this will edify you:

"Work for the souls of men, is undoubtedly attended by great discouragements. The heart of natural man is very hard and unbelieving. The blindness of most men to their own lost condition and peril of ruin, is past description. 'The carnal mind is enmity against God' (Rom.8:7-8). No one can have any just idea of the desperate hardness of men and women, until he has tried to do good. No one can have any conception of the small number of those who repent and believe, until he has personally endeavored to 'save some'. To suppose that everybody will become a true Christian, who is told about Christ, and entreated to believe, is mere childish ignorance. 'Few there be that find the narrow way' (Matt.7:14)! The labourer for Christ will find the vast majority of those among whom he labors, unbelieving and impenitent, in spite of all that he can do. 'The many' will not turn to Christ (Matt.7:13). These are discouraging facts. But they are facts, and facts that ought to be known.

The true antidote against despondency in God's work, is an abiding recollection of such promises as that before us [namely, John 4:35-37]. There are 'wages' laid up for the faithful reapers. They shall receive a reward at the last day, far exceeding anything they have done for Christ, - a reward proportioned not to their success, but to the quality of their work. They are gathering 'fruit', which shall endure when this world has passed away, - fruit, in some souls saved, if many will not believe, and fruit in evidences of their own faithfulness, to be brought out before assembled worlds.

Do our hands ever hang down, and our knees wax faint? Do we feel disposed to say, 'My labor is in vain and my words without profit?' Let us lean back at such seasons on this glorious promise. There are 'wages' to be paid. There is 'fruit' yet to be exhibited. 'We are a sweet savor of Christ, both in them that are saved and in them that perish' (II Cor.2:15). Let us work on. 'He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him' (Psa.126:5,6). One single soul saved, shall outlive and outweigh all the kingdoms of the world."