Another favorite Old Testament promise claimed by soul-winners is found in Daniel 12:3: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). Obviously, if someone is turned to righteousness, they do not live in unrighteousness. Biblical soul-winners look at Daniel 12:3 and say, “I want to be wise for the glory of God. I want to shine for His praise. So, I want to turn many to righteousness.” But we must notice that the goal is many to RIGHTEOUSNESS; not many to praying a prayer, walking to the front of a church, signing a card . . . and then continuing on in a life of wickedness.
The spirit of the salesman who is attempting to emulate Biblical soul-winning is revealed as he emphasizes the word “MANY,” even excusing all those that he has claimed to turn to righteousness and yet carry on in selfishness and sin. “Many” excites the salesman. Big crowds. Big facilities to host the crowds. Big offerings. Notoriety as a great soul-winner. Excitement! All these are wrapped up in his warped understanding of “many to righteousness.”
The Biblical soul-winners are actually thrilled that people are turned to righteousness; that they are converted. A Biblical soul-winner knows that salvation is “by grace” and “not of works” (Ephesians 2:8,9). He preaches that man is totally incapable of saving himself. He cries with Jonah, “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). He also accepts the truth that the true grace of God that saves a man from sin and hell will produce good works for the glory of God (Ephesians 2:10). People that are born again by the Holy Spirit of God do good works because they have been saved unto good works. That is so plain throughout the whole of Scripture, but I will give you a few reminders.
James devoted an entire Epistle to preaching the truth that the faith that saves works. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Titus 2:11, 12 declares that the grace that saves teaches the Lord’s converts “that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” John the Baptist preached that legitimate repentance would be obvious by fruit in the lives of those who repented (Matthew 3:8-10). The Lord Jesus Christ declared, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:17-20).
Many to righteousness? Yes! Many to agreeing with a salesman and then remaining on the same path of unrighteousness? If you believe the Bible, No! Honestly now, are you a soul-winner or just a salesman?