All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat 28:19-20

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Prof 11:30

Jesus is commanding His disciples to make other disciples, but how exactly does He tell them to do it? The first thing I see is authority. Based on the fact that all power has been given to Christ, THEREFORE . . . . Go teach all nations, or people groups . . . THEREFORE baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit . . . THEREFORE ye shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth. So it may be upon us to go, but it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we would be able to reach the world. I think it’s important to remember this. “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the LORD”. Let us remember that victory has already been won, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The vail has been torn, and we are now, via His righteousness, able to enter the Holy of Holies, and there know and be with our God. In this we rest forever, amen.

 

Now the verse in Proverbs is something different. The two parts of this verse would seem, at first, to be two different teachings. Yes, indeed, the fruit of the righteous is a tree of Life, but what does that have to do with winning souls? Well, what is a tree of life? Or more specifically, WHO is the Tree of Life? Is it not Jesus Christ our Lord? What exactly is it that the lost are looking for? Are they not thirsty for the streams of water that proceed out from the throne of God, as seen in Revelation? “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, there was the Tree of Life, which bare 12 manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations”. Rev 21:1-2. 

The righteous, those who are abiding in the Lord, and whose character is formed by a life of abiding in Him, are bringing the very presence of Jesus Christ to a sin sick world. Sinners sin because, as it were, they have been programmed to sin. They don’t know any other way. But Jesus calls out to them, “Come unto me ALL ye who are weary, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28. Those who are abiding in Christ, who are being changed into his likeness “From glory to glory”, are, by their very presence in the world, offering His rest to those who are looking for a way to escape the burdens of their sins. 

So in conclusion, there are two teachings on winning souls here. First of all, in all our endeavors, whether we are on campuses passing out Bibles, or in our workplaces, or our homes, or anywhere else, it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that ANYONE would ever come to Christ. Secondly, we see that a life of relentless discipleship, being with Christ, so that we can become like Christ, results in the very Presence of Christ in our lives, and we begin to do the very work of Christ. This is the place of rest. This is a quiet confidence that He has already won the battle. We need only to rest in that place. Wait on the Lord. Be ready to share the hope that is in us. Amen.