"A Sinner Seeking the Savior"

A Sinner Seeking the Savior
"Nicodemus . . . came to Jesus by night." John 3:1-2

In John 3 we see a sinner seeking the Savior. In John 4 we see the Savior seeking a sinner. And in Luke 5 four men bring a sinner to the Savior for salvation. Here are the three ways in which people come to salvation. Some great lessons in soul winning can be found in each.

"Nicodemus . . . came to Jesus by night" (John 3:1-2). What a thrill when someone comes seeking! Remember, this is the exception; the norm is to "go and tell." We know that before Nicodemus could come, the Father had to "draw him" (John 6:44), but he came as though it was all on his own. He had a reason for coming to Jesus. He had seen the "miracles" and knew Jesus was "a teacher come from God." He knew there was something very different about the Lord Jesus. He saw God working. To let others know what Christ can do for them, let them see what He has done for you.

The Savior did not reprimand Nicodemus for coming at night, whatever his reasons were. It is easy to frighten away the seeker over nonessentials. Keep away from the detours. The important thing was that Nicodemus had come to the right person to find life. Would your neighbors or fellow workers know to come to you for theanswers to their hearts' needs? God tells us Nicodemus was a "ruler of the Jews," obviously a man of importance. Sometimes we have the unhealthy attitude that men of stature cannot be reached. There are all kinds of missions and methods for reaching the down-and-outer and so little to reach the up-and-outer. God does say "not many wise" are called, but thank God he does not say "not any." Here was a very religious man, a Pharisee, and yet not saved.

This is hard for some to believe, but "many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not . . . in thy name done many wonderful works . . . and then will I profess unto them . . . I never knew you" (Matthew 7:22-23). No matter how religious, a wise person will not take a chance on hell but will admit his lack of a real relation to God and come to Christ. It is not religion but relation to Christ that gets a man to heaven. Have you ever been born again? Is your whole life changed because you personally invited Christ to be your Savior? Do it now!

from the American Tract Society email