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A Classic Holiness Sermon
Holiness and Evangelism
(Matthew 13-16)
by J. B. Chapman
Holiness implies separation from the world, and yet it
does not imply the canceling of our debt to the world. We are yet in
the world, even though we are no longer of the world. Jesus described
His disciples as “the salt of the earth,” and salt is worthless
if it is isolated. It must be brought into contact with that which it
preserves. Likewise those who withdraw from the company of men and live
in monasteries or in social seclusion have little value as evangelizing
agents. Personal separation from the world must be consistent with the
Master’s command to “Go ye into all the world and make disciples.”
In Revelation 2:14, “the doctrine of Balaam”
is roundly condemned. By reference to the Old Testament account of this
prophet’s activities and counsels we find that his doctrine was
“evangelism by mixing.” Balak could not win over Israel in
out and out conflict with these people, so Balaam said, “Go along
and intermarry with these people and win over them by absorbing them.”
The results were disastrous, not to the heathen, but to the people of
God. And yet there are those who still think the way to save the world
is for the Church to become worldly. But when the world and the Church
mix it is the world that captures the Church and not the Church that
captures the world.
How then can men be holy and still be saving agencies
in a sinful world? The answer is that they must be insulated, but not
isolated. Our Master’s example is in point. He was holy, harmless,
and undefiled, and even His enemies reported they found no fault in
Him. Yet He met men on the streets, in the markets, in their homes,
and at their own tables. It is true that some criticized Him as being
“the friend of sinners,” but He accepted this as a compliment
and adopted this as one of His favorite roles. Ordinarily to touch a
leper was to become defiled, but when Jesus touched a leper the leper
was cleansed. And this is the key to the whole matter. The healing touch
does not defile. But the agreeing touch does defile. And everyone must
keep his own soul from the saturating effect of sin and worldliness
by keeping alive the inner protest against all that is wrong. Still
he must limit his touch only at that point where healing and agreeing
meet. It is an honor to eat with publicans and sinners when to do so
is to heal and save them, and every man must know and observe his own
limits not to be overcome of evil, even in the sense of prevailing influence,
but to overcome evil with good.
Dilution almost always means weakness, and strength practically
always requires concentration. This is true whether the subject is a
state, a home, a church, or an individual life. Men who are known too
well as “good mixers” are seldom also effective soul winners.
The nucleus of the individual life must be kept pure if the impact of
evangelism is to be effective. We must ourselves be thoroughly evangelized
before we can succeed markedly in evangelizing others. Men readily become
exercised over the subject of widening their scope of influence, whereas,
the greater need is to wield an effective influence. When the choice
is between influencing many people a little or influencing a few people
much, the instant choice should be the latter. Bringing people near
to the kingdom of God is not enough; we must bring them in and introduce
them to the King.
The principle of soul winning is divinely inherent in
all truly born again people, although the method by which the lost are
sought and found varies as much as the number of Christians in the world.
The principle is indicated by that early desire to see one’s loved
ones and friends brought to Christ. One of the first and best evidences
of conversion is the desire to see others converted. But it is always
a bad thing to be stirred and then do nothing about the stirring. If
one does something about it the stirring will increase until soul winning
becomes a passion. And there is nothing more fundamental in the whole
task of evangelism than that of a burden for the salvation of souls.
If that burden is real and heavy, ways and means will be found. And
nothing encourages a burden for others more than getting genuinely through
for yourself. Holiness of heart is therefore a great boon for soul winners.
The description of a soul winner requires but a few lines,
“For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:
and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24). It is as
though the cause and effect were stated. Nothing is said of the pedigree,
breeding, education, gifts, or talents of Barnabas, for such things
do not enter into the qualifications of soul winners. He was simply
a man in the fullness of the blessing of Pentecostal sanctification
and, as the oasis gathers about the palm tree, souls followed him into
the kingdom of God. There is no indication of strain or effort. He had
the blessing and followed the leadings of the Lord and his work was
fruitful.
Dr. A. M. Hills wrote that during four years in college,
it being known that he planned to be a preacher, and three years in
the theological seminary, although he was told many things that would
help him in the pursuit of his calling, he was never told the simple
thing that the baptism with the Holy Ghost is the one indispensable
qualification for success in the divine art of soul winning. Much of
the intellectual training given to divinity students and those preparing
for Christian work has almost as little direct connection with the task
to which the students are called as a course in gymnastics would have.
For the task is not primarily intellectual, but spiritual, and the greatest
need not a full mind, but a full heart.
But even if the expressional life in the business of soul
winning is to be considered, the great need here is for the anointing
of the Spirit upon song, prayer, testimony, and sermon. Even personal
evangelism makes heavier demand for immediate inspiration and direction
than for knowledge in psychology and sociology. If you would be a soul
winner, seek and obtain a holy heart and then walk in the light of the
true Spirit-filled life. This is the apostolic way.
Dr. Chapman was a General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene
from 1928-1947. He also served as editor of the Herald of Holiness
and was the first editor of Preacher’s Magazine.
