Change occurs inside-out. Aim for the soul.
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 2 Corinthians 12.15
Paul took as the focus of his ministry the souls of those entrusted to his care. He invested himself and all his resources and energy in nurturing his charges in their minds, hearts, and consciences.
He addressed their understanding, and sought to enlarge their vision and increase their knowledge, always focusing all his instruction on Christ, the treasury of wisdom and knowledge.
He addressed their affections, challenging them to search their hearts and bring them into line with the heart of God.
And he addressed their values and priorities, and the inclination of their will, challenging them to put everything in order before Christ, to follow Him in all things.
It will do no good merely to address the outward lives of people, whether to encourage them to take up some disciplines or patch on some practices that ought to be present in the lives of Christ’s disciples. We must speak to the inner person. All our ministry, therefore, must drive to the soul, aim at the soul, speak to the soul, and call for revival and renewal in the souls of those to whom we minister.
He addressed their understanding, and sought to enlarge their vision and increase their knowledge, always focusing all his instruction on Christ, the treasury of wisdom and knowledge.
He addressed their affections, challenging them to search their hearts and bring them into line with the heart of God.
And he addressed their values and priorities, and the inclination of their will, challenging them to put everything in order before Christ, to follow Him in all things.
It will do no good merely to address the outward lives of people, whether to encourage them to take up some disciplines or patch on some practices that ought to be present in the lives of Christ’s disciples. We must speak to the inner person. All our ministry, therefore, must drive to the soul, aim at the soul, speak to the soul, and call for revival and renewal in the souls of those to whom we minister.