Proclaiming the Gospel

There is a frequent misperception that individuals accept the gospel because they have been either intellectually persuaded of its doctrinal accuracy or emotionally moved by its appeal. In reality, many who accept the gospel for either of these two reasons don't stick around for very long. Although both intellect and passion must be attained, they are not sufficient on their own. Thought and emotion can connect with one another, but salvation goes far further. The two must come into contact. Sinners don't yield and submit to God until the preacher's spirit bursts forth and glows. The appropriate attitude required for preaching the gospel

In the book Seen and Heard, a miner who was highly used by God recounts his experiences sharing the gospel. While reading this novel, we had great emotion. Even though he was only a regular brother with no special talents or education, he gave himself completely to the Lord and was powerfully used by Him. He was a broken man; his spirit was pure, and that was what made him. He was listening to a preacher at a gathering when he became so moved by a burden for souls that he asked the preacher if he may speak.

He approached the podium, but nothing came out. His tears streamed out in torrents as his inner self burned with a love for souls. He only managed a few mumbled sentences in total. But God's Spirit was there at that gathering place, convicting people of their sins and their lost inheritance. This young man was broken and spoke little, but when his spirit emerged, the crowd was profoundly impacted. We can see from reading his narrative that he was a person whose spirit had been fully freed.

This is how the gospel should be preached. You feel compelled to share the gospel with anyone you see who is unsaved. You must permit your spirit to flow. The only requirement for preaching the gospel is that the outward man is torn, allowing the inward man to flow forth and touch others. God's Spirit quickens a spirit that is in darkness when your spirit touches another's, enabling one to be miraculously saved. The gospel is obstructed if, however, your soul is constrained by the outward man.

This is why we give dealing with the external man such a high priority. Despite knowing all the principles by heart, we cannot gain souls if we lack that dealing. When our spirit touches another person's spirit, salvation happens. Then, that soul is powerless to help but fall on his knees before God. Oh, Beloved! there will undoubtedly be souls saved when our spirit is completely released.

Author: Watchman Nee

Compiled and edited by: Peter O. Olutoyese