Have You Saved Any Souls Today?

By Bill Brandstatter

    I was at a dentist appointment once and the dentist and I were talking. My dentist has known me for a long time.  He likes to kid and joke; but he asked me the above question, and it got me to thinking? Have WE saved any souls today?
    The work of the church is saving souls. The church is composed of saved souls (Acts 2:47). It is not the work of the church to entertain. It is not the work of the church to just motivate. The work of the church is to evangelize, edify, and encourage. So, again, have we saved any souls today?
    It is interesting that in Acts 8 the Bible says the church “went everywhere preaching the word.” (vs 3) This was not referring to the apostles because they were somewhere else. This was talking about the church. When we teach and talk to others we are “preaching the word.” Preaching helps to save souls (Rom. 10:13-17).  It is the work of the church, specifically church members, to seek and save the lost.
    Many believe that if the church has a located preacher, saving souls is his job. Certainly, the preacher should be active in saving souls through preaching, teaching, and evangelizing; but is he the only one that should be striving to save souls? NO.
    So, the question my dentist asked might also be one we all should ask of each other. Have you saved any souls today?

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/