Harvest and Preserve

The most rewarding part of the cycle of evangelism comes when the months and even years of soil preparation (friendship evangelism), seed sowing (sharing truth), and cultivation (Bible studies) result in a harvest of life-transforming decisions and a public stand for Christ through baptism. It is in the harvest phase that belief is put into action and the individual takes up the cross to follow Jesus fully (see Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23). There is “joy in the presence of the angels of God” (Luke 15:10), and in our own hearts too, when we see a person make such a commitment.

Unfortunately, we often do not experience this joy, because we fail to see when the one for whom we labor is ready to become part of God’s end-time church. Jesus addresses this common mistake when He says, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35). There are many who never make a decision, not because they were not ready, but because no one ever took the opportunity to ask for a decision! We must see the importance of making loving appeals to the heart and inviting the soul to surrender to Christ. Many will respond if we do.

While we are to share the truth courageously and ask people to follow it, we must never forget that a harvest of decisions for Christ does not come “‘by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Only the Holy Spirit can convict the heart and provide the power to change. This power comes through the Word of God (see Hebrews 4:12). “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). We must depend upon the Bible to answer questions, meet objections, and lead to positive decisions for Christ. God’s Word can convict where our words are powerless!