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
An American president became embroiled in a sex scandal that was dragged through the news media for weeks before the affair settled down. Despite the apparent shame and publicity, this president seemed to grow in popularity as the public seemed to take his misbehaviour in stride, and even today, Bill Clinton is widely adored and revered by millions of Americans. He is typical of much of the world around us, in which the most successful movie stars and musical artists are those who live the most licentious and shameful lifestyles. Popularity is often tied to sinfulness and shameful behaviour, and success often goes to those who are the most cruel and dishonest. How different the recognition that God gives to His stars!
No, God is not going to turn us into actual stars in the next life, and our text does not actually say that. But it does say God will recognize those who are wise and those who are soul-winners. Although Christians may not feel wise, and some days we don’t even seem wise, we have – in trusting Christ as Saviour – displayed a wisdom that the most brilliant of earth’s unsaved have never known. Dwelling in a temporary world and living a painfully brief life, we have prepared for the vastness of eternity by accepting God’s great provision. And some among us have found the joy of winning souls, persuading sinners to exercise the same wisdom that we were persuaded to embrace. And we will shine forever.
Soul-winners have a special place in God’s honour roll. After all, none of us would be saved if it were not for soul-winners. Each of us remember those who witnessed to us, who brought the Gospel to us (or us to the Gospel), who preached and prayed and faithfully persevered until our soul was won. We owe those folks a deep debt, and we thrill to know they will be rewarded by the Judge of all the earth. But there is a measure to which we can all be soul winners. Something we can all do is pray for lost souls, those around us, those related to us, those who attend our Gospel meetings, those who others ask us to pray for. We can also live an obedient and joyful Christian life, showing others the Gospel in shoe leather. We can hand out a tract, speak a word in season when God gives us opportunity. Some can visit, preach the Gospel from the platform, and serve in a more public way. And what God gives us to do, we can do it.
God wants us to shine for him, today, and for all eternity. -Jim MacIntosh