_PERSONAL WORK_

Book One (of Three), comprising:

HOW TO WORK FOR CHRIST

A Compendium of Effective Methods

By R. A. Torrey

 

Etext, last modified June 15, 2001, edited by

Clyde C. Price, Jr.

{CLYDE.PRICE@CDLF.ORG} for the Christian

Digital Library Foundation

from a printed book (used by CCP as a

textbook at the Atlanta School of

Biblical Studies) published by....

 

Fleming H. Revell Company

{no date, but first published shortly after 1900}

Printed in the United States of America

 

{ CDLF Etext Editor's Note:

 

The printed edition of this work is definitely in

the public domain, and we issue this etext edition

also freely into the public domain.

 

I request that in subsequent editions based upon

this one, that this etext editor's notes be

retained, perhaps at the end of the file. Anyone

is welcome --and encouraged!-- to mark this etext

up into other digital formats. (I strongly

recommend that any who would do so would find the

print-media edition of the book to observe the

indentions which were ignored and lost in this

etext edition.) Please let us know, and perhaps

share a copy of the file with us for parallel

distribution.

 

At the Atlanta School of Biblical Studies in the

late 70s and early 80s, my teachers inculcated in

us an appreciation of "old books" along with an

emphasis on going back to the Scriptures

themselves. Our heavy use of this Volume One of

Torrey's "How To Work For Christ" in our Personal

Evangelism course, and reference to it in other

courses, was a prime example of this strategy.

 

In our class, we discussed some of the points on

which Torrey appeared not to be as "Calvinistic"

as we were. Our teacher, Rev. Ben Wilkinson,

defended his use of this textbook, because of

Torrey's extensive experience, his practical

wisdom, the fact that with this _old_ book, it was

easier to spot merely cultural stuff, and... he

admitted with a sigh... the fact that "Reformed

and Calvinistic" writers have not written much on

the hand-to-hand details of personal work. As far

as he was concerned, this was about as good as it

got.

 

Let me add quickly that we did read _Evangelism

and Your Church_, an excellent Reformed discussion

of evangelism and manual for church outreach, by

Dr. C. John Miller. We also discussed other

Reformed-perspective books on evangelism, which we

noted tended to have a negative tone, criticizing

the evangelism of others without promoting (or

maybe even necessarily defining) _proper_

evangelism. "Mr.Ben" told us a story (which I

can't document at the moment, that went something

like this...) about Mr. Moody facing a critic of

his evangelistic methods, and Moody asked the man,

"Well, since your method is so much better and

more Scriptural, would you tell me how many people

you've led to Christ in the last year?"  The man

answered that he hadn't led anybody to Christ in

that time. Moody replied, "Well, God seems to be

blessing the faulty way I'm _doing_ it better than

the superior way you're _not_ doing it." Ben

hastened to point out that obviously this

principle has limits, but God DOES bless

gospel-preachers, such as Dr.Billy Graham, with

whose theological statements we --that is, we

"Reformed folks"-- sometimes nitpick, and

sometimes disagree strongly; but Dr.Graham

preaches CHRIST, and people TRUST CHRIST while he

preaches. Ben considered that Torrey's work was

Reformed _enough_ for us to use it, with our

"sifters" on, and was practical enough to study

thoughtfully even eight decades after its

publication.

 

It should be noted that Torrey ministered and

wrote in the beginnings of the "Modern" period,

and this etext is being issued in 2001 in a "post-

Modern" cultural environment in which absolutes

are often absolutely denied, and the USA and the

rest of the "Western" world are experiencing

unprecedented rates of immigration from

"third-world" countries: immigrants who bring

their religious and cultural heritages with them.

We are now working in a MUCH larger "arena". The

Gospel is still true, and the word of God is still

alive and powerful. All (or almost all)

non-Christian world religions are systems of

"works", with a wide variety of "standards" of

judgment, but Biblical Christianity is still the

only "GRACE religion". It may be that we need to

adapt our approaches somewhat and learn new

currently-effective "slants" to get the Sword of

the Spirit through... But I stubbornly believe

that MOST of Torrey's work is _still_ useful and

worthy of study and application. And the

Scriptures which he references are even more

savingly relevant and eternally useful.

 

We do NOT want to emulate the cults, who skip from

verse to un-contexted verse; but we DO want to

learn how to minister the Scriptures in a

_practical_ way in our personal work. Torrey was a

master of this, and we can still learn from him.

 

In the "camp" with which I identify myself, we

emphasize in-context inductive Bible study and an

approach to Scripture which is mostly-

"expository", i.e., taking and preaching from a

coherent "chunk" of Scripture at a time, and often

consecutively preaching through a book of

Scripture. While this approach to Bible study and

preaching is --in my opinion-- the best and safest

approach, learning how to deal hand-to-hand and

face-to-face with people about their souls

requires a PRACTICAL knowledge of the Scriptures

such as Torrey demonstrated and taught. Very

often, SHORT quotations and phrases will speak to

issues at hand and meet the need of the moment.

(In our "sound bite" culture, this sounds very

current!) For the times when you do topical

preaching, much in this book is immediately

adaptable.

 

Certainly, students: KNOW the Bible book by book

and follow the flow of thought in context. But

also learn Torrey's method of taking short

passages and adding them to your everyday

tool-box, and USING them effectively day in and

day out. Be READY to establish the context of any

passage you employ, but MEMORIZED verses of

Scripture in your toolbox will be as ready at hand

as hammer, screwdriver, knife and drill.

 

There are too many references in this work to

memorize all of them quickly, but the highlighted

and repeated ones should present themselves as

obvious candidates to memorize in a good

translation.

 

Let me also note some other possible uses for this

wealth of PRACTICAL Bible material: One practice

of many Churches and groups of Christians through

the centuries is to READ ALOUD a sermon by "an

accredited minister", particularly when there

wasn't one available for their meeting. Book Three

is entirely on "Preaching and Teaching the Word of

God", but here in Book One (which I have seen

separately with a slightly different title in a

preacher's library), there are sections which

could be read aloud --perhaps after judicious

editing/cutting-- as topical sermons. The section

beginning on p.122 on "III. Special classes of

skeptics.", perhaps beginning with point "2. Those

who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God",

gives a wonderful outline study of how Jesus

Christ personally put His stamp of authority on

all of the Bible, section by section, and then

adding other Bible references about the

inspiration and authority of the Scriptures. There

are certainly many other studies which could be

adapted or even read aloud without editing. In

meetings small enough to employ this "reading

aloud" tactic, I would recommend _some_ "group

discussion" afterwards to identify cultural

factors which have changed, and/or other ways to

deal with specific types of people. Torrey is

inspiring, but he's NOT "inspired".

 

A small quibble: In book one, page 76, article

XVI., I strongly recommend reversing the

presentation of the three points, and emphasizing

point 2 (using both Scripture references,

Ephesians 4:32 and Matthew 18:23-35, perhaps also

referencing the Lord's prayer). Maybe even

presenting the ideas as 2, 3, 1; but definitely

stressing that unforgiveness towards others

effectively short-circuits our own forgiveness-by-

faith, and once we have been forgiven our own

multi-billion-buck debt, it's EASY to release our

fellow-servant's hundred-buck debt.

 

I think that you should always save the "Do this,

or GO TO HELL" -argument for the _last_ point.

 

I'll restrain myself from other quibbles, but

suggest that perhaps some other of Torrey's

outlines could be rearranged for presentation.

 

For reference purposes, I am including the

print-media-edition page numbers before the

material from that printed page. Block-quotation

indentations have been lost. I have spelled out

most Scripture references, and made a few spelling

changes and typographical corrections. This etext

edition is a _separate_ CDLF edition, with perhaps

fewer changes than a print-media publisher might

make.

 

For several reasons (including the fact that my

bound copy is copiously marked up and

highlighted), I have chosen to retype this work

manually, mostly changing printed italic and

boldface fonts into uppercase. ("Markups" into

other digital publishing formats SHOULD be made

with the Revell- published book at hand.) One of

the things that slightly irritated me about the

typography of this and other older works was

putting block Scripture quotations in SMALLER

print. I request that future editors who "mark up"

this text into other formats, if you use a

different font for Scripture, that you make it a

LARGER or BOLDER font, since it is the Scripture

itself which is most important. If someday an

editor decides to substitute a more "updated"

translation of Scripture (or if/when this work is

translated into another language), I strongly

exhort that the surrounding text be consulted,

since Torrey sometimes makes points on specific

wording from the quoted translation: most often

the Authorized (King James) Version or the

(English) Revised Version (cited as "RV") of 1885.

 

At my own "editor's discretion" in a very few

places I judged the cited AV/KJV to be too likely

unclear, and shifted to the 1901 American Standard

Version, identified as "ASV".

 

"Language notes":

 

Torrey frequently uses the term "men" to refer to

people in general, no doubt intending to include

both sexes; and I have not "updated" this.

 

Torrey's use of the term "Baptism in the Holy

Spirit" does not mean the same thing that many

charismatics and almost all Pentecostals mean by

this term, and his view of this matter is not the

same as that of most non-charismatic evangelicals

in 2001. Please do not get mad at him if you

determine that you disagree with him on this; but

do keep reading. His _point_ is that believers

should be filled to overflowing and empowering and

being specifically led by the Holy Spirit, and if

you have problems with THIS, you need to REPENT!

 

Not all of Torrey's observations or suggestions

are "universal", but the entire work, in all three

volumes, is worth reading carefully and

prayerfully, and --in MY opinion-- could _still_

be used as a primary text in a 3-4 month course in

personal evangelism. Even though cultural (and

even LEGAL) circumstances have changed, when you

read about some Gospel venue in the book that

makes you think, "THAT wouldn't work NOWADAYS" or

"...HERE", I challenge you to think about ways to

adapt his idea, or devise something different, to

accomplish the same goals of ministering God's

Word. Open air meetings and tract/literature

evangelism are NOT dead, even if we need to adapt

some of the trappings.

 

It has been my my prayer especially during the

editing of this etext, that the ministry of this

century-old book will continue to bear fruit in

the lives of God's servants.

 

I pray that God will use THIS very valuable book

--in WHATEVER medium it comes to you-- to make you

a more fruitful soul-winner and disciple-builder

for Him.

 

--Clyde

May 2001

Alpharetta, Georgia, USA

 

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PREFACE

 

This book is written for both ministers and

laymen. It will be of help to the minister in

suggesting to him how to make full proof of his

own ministry and how to get his people to work. It

will be of help to laymen in leading them into

many fields of fruitful labor for Christ.

 

The Church of Christ is full of people who wish to

work for their Master but do not know how. This

book is intended to tell them how. It contains no

untried theories, but describes many methods of

work that have been put to the test of actual

experiment and have succeeded. So far as I know,

there is no other book that covers the same field.

For years it has been upon my heart to write this

book, and I have been asked again and again to do

so. But I have never found time for it until now.

May it be used of God to the conversion of

thousands to Christ.

 

R. A. Torrey

 

{5}

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

BOOK ONE -- PERSONAL WORK

 

Chapter                         Page

01. The Importance and Advantages of

     Personal Work  9

 

02. The Conditions of Success  14

 

03. Where to do Personal Work  22

 

04. How to Begin  28

 

05. How to Deal with those who Realize

     their Need of a Savior and Really

     Desire to be Saved  33

 

06. How to Deal with those who have

     Little or no Concern about their

     Souls 44

 

07. How to Deal with those who have

     Difficulties  55

 

08. How to Deal with those who Entertain

     False Hopes  90

 

09. How to Deal with those who Lack

     Assurance  103

 

10. How to Deal with Backsliders  109

 

11. How to Deal with Professed Skeptics

     and Infidels  114

 

12. How to Deal with those who Wish to

     put off a Decision until Some

     Other Time 133

 

13. How to Deal with the Deluded  138

 

14. How to Deal with Christians who Need

     Counsel, Rebuke, Encouragement or

     Comfort  150

 

15. Some Hints and Suggestions for

     Personal Work  171

 

{In separate CDLF etext files:}

 

BOOK TWO -- METHODS OF CHRISTIAN WORK

01. House to House Visitation  183

02. Cottage Meetings  192

03. Parlor Meetings  202

04. The Church Prayer Meeting  205

{6}

05. The Use of Tracts  213

06. Open-Air Meetings  222

07. Tent Work  234

08. The Use of Autos, Trailers, etc. 241

 

09. Colportage Work  244

10. Services in Theaters, Circuses, etc. 248

 

11. Organizing and Conducting a Gospel

     Mission  254

12. Meetings in Jails, Hospitals,

     Poorhouses, etc.  268

13. Revival Meetings  273

14. The After Meeting  284

15. Children's Meetings  295

16. Advertising the Meetings  305

17. Conduct of Funerals  314

 

BOOK THREE -- PREACHING AND TEACHING THE

WORD OF GOD

1. How to Prepare a Sermon  321

2. Preparation and Delivery of Bible

     Readings  332

3. Illustrations and Their Use  337

4. Teaching the Bible  344

5. Textual Sermons in Outline  356

6. Topical Sermons in Outline  454

7. Expository Sermons and Bible Readings

     in Outline  486

 

{7}

 

BOOK ONE

 

PERSONAL WORK

 

{8}

{9}

 

@01  CHAPTER ONE

 

THE IMPORTANCE AND ADVANTAGES OF PERSONAL WORK

 

In our study of the various forms of Christian

activity, we begin with "Personal Work," that

hand-to-hand dealing with men, women and children.

We begin with it because it is the simplest form

of Christian work, the kind that every one can do.

It is also the most effective method of winning

lost souls. The Apostle Peter was brought to Jesus

by the hand-to-hand work of his brother Andrew.

Andrew first found Christ himself, then he went to

Peter quietly and told him of his great find, and

thus he led Peter to the Savior he himself had

found. I do not know that Andrew ever preached a

sermon; if he did it is not recorded; but he did a

great day's work when he led his brother Peter to

Jesus. Peter preached a sermon that led to the

conversion of 3,000 people, but where would

Peter's great sermon have been if Andrew had not

first led him to Christ by quiet personal work?

Mr. Edward Kimball, a Boston business man, led D.

L. Moody, the young Boston shoe clerk, to the

Savior. Where would all Mr. Moody's wonderful work

for Christ have been if he himself had not been

led to the Savior by the faithful personal work of

his Sunday school teacher? I believe in preaching.

It is a great privilege to preach the Gospel, but

this world can be reached and evangelized far more

quickly and thoroughly by personal work than by

public preaching. Indeed, it can be reached and

evangelized only by personal work. When the whole

church of Jesus Christ shall rouse to its

responsibility and privilege in this matter, and

every individual Christian become a personal

worker, the evangelization of the world will be

close at hand. When the membership of any local

church shall rouse to its responsibility and

privilege in this matter, and each  {10}  member

become a personal worker in the power of the Holy

Spirit, a great revival will be close at hand for

the community in which that church is located.

Personal work is a work that wins but little

applause from men, but it accomplishes great

things for God.

 

There are many who think personal work beneath

their dignity and their gifts. A blind woman once

came to me and said, "Do you think that my

blindness will hinder me from working for the

Master?"  "Not at all; it may be a great help to

you, for others seeing your blindness will come

and speak to you, and then you will have an

opportunity of giving your testimony for Christ,

and of leading them to the Savior."  "Oh, that is

not what I want," she replied. "It seems to me a

waste of time when one might be speaking to five

or six hundred at once, just to be speaking to an

individual." I answered that our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ was able to speak to more than five

thousand at once, and yet He never thought

personal work beneath His dignity or His gifts.

Indeed, it was the work the Savior loved to do. We

have more instances of our Savior's personal work

recorded in the Gospels that of His preaching. The

one who is above personal work is above his

Master.

 

ITS ADVANTAGES.

 

Let us look at the advantages of personal work.

 

1. ALL CAN DO IT. In an average congregation there

are not more than four or five who can preach to

edification. It would be a great pity, too, should

all attempt to become preachers; it would be a

great blessing if all would become personal

workers. Any child of God can do personal work,

and all can learn to do effective personal work.

The mother who is confined at home by multiplicity

of home duties can still do personal work, first

of all with her own children, and then with the

servants in the home, with the butcher, the

grocer, the tramp who calls at the door, in fact,

with everybody who comes within reach. I once knew

a mother very gifted in the matter of bringing her

own children up in the nurture and admonition of

the Lord, who lamented that she could not do some

work for Christ. I watched this woman carefully,

and found that almost every one who came to the

house in any capacity was spoken to about the

Savior, and she was, in point of fact, doing  {11}

more for Christ in the way of direct evangelistic

work than most pastors.

 

Even the one shut up at home by sickness can do

personal work. As friends come to the sick bed, a

word of testimony can be given for Christ, or even

an extended conversation can be held. A little

girl of twelve, the child of very poor parents,

lay dying in the city of Minneapolis. She let her

light shine for the Master, and spoke among others

to a godless physician, to whom, perhaps, no one

else had ever spoken about Christ. A poor girl in

New York City, who was rescued from the slums and

died a year or two afterwards, was used of God to

lead about one hundred men and women to Christ,

while lying upon her dying bed.

 

Even the servant girl can do effective personal

work. Lord Shaftesbury, the great English

philanthropist, was won to Christ in a godless

home by the effective work of a nurse girl.

 

Traveling men have unusually good opportunities

for doing personal work, as they travel on the

trains from town to town, as they stop in one

hotel after another and go from store to store. A

professional nurse once came into my Bible class

in Chicago, and at the close of the meeting

approached me and said: "I was led to Christ by

Mr.--- [a traveling man connected with a large

wholesale house]. I was in a hotel parlor, and

this gentleman saw me and walked across the parlor

and asked me if I was a Christian, and when I told

him I was not, he proceeded at once to show me the

way of life. I was so startled and impressed to

find a traveling man leading others to Christ that

I accepted Him as my Savior then and there. He

told me if I ever came to Chicago to come to your

Bible class." I have watched this woman for years

since, and she herself is a most devoted Christian

and effective worker.

 

How enormous and wonderful and glorious would be

the results if all Christians should begin to be

active personal workers to the extent of their

ability! Nothing else would do so much to promote

a revival in any community, and in the land at

large. Every Pastor should urge this duty upon his

people, train them for it, and see that they do

it.

 

2. IT CAN BE DONE ANYWHERE. There are but few

places where one can preach. There is no place

where one cannot do personal  {12}  work. How

often, as we pass factories, engine houses,

lodging houses and other places where crowds are

gathered, do we wish that we might get into them

and preach the Gospel, but generally this is

impossible, but it is altogether possible to go in

and do personal work. Furthermore, we can do

personal work on the street, whether street

meetings are allowed or not. We can do personal

work in the homes of the poor and in the homes of

the rich, in hospitals, workhouses, jails, station

houses, and all sorts of institutions -- in a

word, everywhere.

 

3. IT CAN BE DONE AT ANY TIME. The times when we

can have preaching services and Sunday schools are

quite limited. As a rule, in most communities, we

cannot have services more than two or three days

in the week, and only three or four hours in the

day, but personal work can be done seven days in

the week, and any time of day or night. Some of

the best personal work done in this country in the

last twenty years has been done on the streets at

midnight and after midnight. Those who love souls

have walked the streets looking for wanderers, and

have gone into dens of vice seeking the lost

sheep, and hundreds upon hundreds of them have

thus been found.

 

4. IT REACHES ALL CLASSES. There are large classes

of men that no other method will reach. There are

the shut-ins who cannot get out to church, the

street-car men, the policemen, railroad

conductors, sleeping-car men, firemen, the very

poor and the very rich. Some cannot and others

will not attend church or cottage meeting or

mission meeting, but personal work can reach them

all.

 

5. IT HITS THE MARK. Preaching is necessarily

general; personal work is direct and personal.

There is no mistaking who is meant, there is no

dodging the arrow, there is no possibility of

giving what is said away to some one else. Many

whom even so expert a Gospel preacher as Mr. Moody

has missed have been afterwards reached by

personal work.

 

6. IT MEETS THE DEFINITE NEED, AND EVERY NEED OF

THE PERSON DEALT WITH. Even when men are aroused

and convicted, and perhaps converted, by a sermon,

personal work is necessary to bring out into clear

light and into a satisfactory experience one whom

the sermon has thus aroused, convicted and

converted.  {13}

 

7. IT AVAILS WHERE OTHER METHODS FAIL.  One of my

best workers told me a few weeks ago that she had

attended church for years, and had wanted to

become a Christian. She had listened to some of

the best-known preachers, and still was unsaved,

but the very first inquiry meeting she went into

she was saved because some one came and dealt with

her personally.

 

8. IT PRODUCES VERY LARGE RESULTS. There is no

comparison whatever between what will be effected

by good preaching and what will be effected by

constant personal work. Take a church of one

hundred members; such a church under an excellent

pastor would be considered as doing an

exceptionally good work if on an average fifty

were added annually to this membership. But

suppose that that church was trained to do

personal work, and that fifty of the one hundred

members actually went at it. Certainly one a month

won to Christ by each one would not be a large

average. That would be six hundred a year instead

of the fifty mentioned above. A church of many

members, with the most powerful preaching

possible, that depends upon the minister alone to

win men to Christ by his preaching, would not

accomplish anything like what would be

accomplished by a church with a comparatively poor

preacher, where the membership generally were

personal workers.

 

{14}

 

@02  CHAPTER TWO

 

THE CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS

 

I. PERSONAL EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

AS SAVIOR.

 

The first condition of success in personal work,

and in all soul-saving work, is a personal

experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior.

It was because the Apostle Paul could say:

 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all

acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF."  1_Timothy

1:15.

 

that he had power in bringing other men to that

Savior. It is the man who knows Jesus as his own

Savior, who will have a longing to bring others to

this wonderful Savior whom he has himself found;

and it is the man who knows Jesus as his Savior

who will understand how to bring others to the

Savior whom he has found. There are many today who

are trying to save others, who are not saved

themselves. There are others, who, while they are

probably saved men, have such a vague knowledge of

Christ as their own Savior, that they cannot hope

to make the way of salvation clear to others.

 

A personal, experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ

as a Savior includes three things:

 

1. A knowledge that our own sins have been

forgiven because Jesus bore them in His own body

on the Cross;

 

2. A knowledge that the risen Christ is delivering

us daily from the power of sin;

 

3. An absolute surrender of our wills to Jesus

Christ as our Lord and Master.

 

II. LIFE IS CLEAN WITHIN AND WITHOUT.

 

The second condition of success in personal work

is really involved in the first, and is a life

clean within and without.  {15}

 

In 2_Timothy 2:21 we read,

 

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he

shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and

meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every

good work."

 

If a man is to be used of God, his life must be

clean -- not only his outward life as the world

sees it, but his inward secret life as it is known

only to God and to himself. One who holds on to

any sin of act or thought or affection cannot

expect to have power with a holy God, and

consequently cannot expect to have power for God.

Many a man and woman of great natural gifts, and

unusual knowledge of the Bible, are trying to do

work for God and meet with little or no success.

People wonder why it is that their work is so

devoid of results, but if we knew their secret

life as God knows it, we would understand their

failure; there is sin before God. It has often

been said, and well said, that "God does not

demand a beautiful vessel for His work, but He

does demand a clean one." Many are working on in

disappointment and failure, working hard but

accomplishing nothing, because God sees sin in

their inner life which they will not give up.

 

III. PERSONAL WORK IS A SURRENDERED LIFE, A LIFE

WHOLLY GIVEN UP TO GOD.

 

The third condition of success in personal work is

a surrendered life, a life wholly given up to God.

Paul was mighty as a worker for Christ because he

could say,

 

"For me to live is Christ."

 

The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes

(Matthew 14:17-20), is deeply significant. The

disciples said unto Jesus, "We have here but five

loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither

to me." We are told with a good deal of emphasis

upon the definite article, He "took THE five

loaves and THE two fishes," that is, He took all

that they had. It was not much, but they brought

it all. Then He blessed it and broke it and there

was an abundance for all. But if one of these

insignificant barley loaves had been kept back, or

one of these little fishes, there would not have

been enough to go around. We, too, may not have

much, it may be only five barley crackers and two

little fishes, but if we will bring them all,

absolutely all, to Christ, He will take them,

bless them and  {16}  multiply them; but if we

hold back one cracker or one fish, He will not

bless and multiply. Here lies the secret of

failure in many a one who would work for Christ;

there is one cracker kept back, or one little

fish. We talk very lightly of absolute surrender

to God, but it means more than most people who

profess it seem to realize. I would ask each

reader of these pages, have you brought all to

Christ -- absolutely all -- absolutely ALL?

 

IV. MEN OUT OF CHRIST ARE LOST.

 

The one who would have success in personal work

must have a deep realization that men out of

Christ are lost. Jesus had this. He said,

 

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save

that which was LOST." Luke 19:10.

 

When He looked upon men living in sin. He knew and

realized the utter ruin of their condition. The

same thing was true of Paul. We read in Acts 20:31

that he "ceased not to warn every one night and

day WITH TEARS." He knew that if one had not a

saving knowledge of Jesus Christ he was eternally

lost. This overwhelming conviction that men and

women out of Christ are eternally lost, seems to

be very rare in our day, and this is one great

reason why so few have real power in soul-winning.

How can we get this realization?

 

1. First of all, by studying what the Bible has to

say about the present standing and condition and

future destiny of those who are out of Christ.

 

2. By believing what the Bible says upon these

points without trying to tone it down, and make it

fit in with the popular notions of the day.

 

3. By dwelling upon these truths about the lost

condition of men out of Christ until they take

hold upon our hearts and we realize their meaning.

These things are not pleasant to think about, but

they are true, and we ought to think about them

until our souls are on fire to save men from the

awful condition of utter ruin in which they now

are, and from the destiny of eternal shame and

despair to which they are hurrying.

 

V. LOVE.

 

The fifth condition of success in personal work is

love. Nothing wins like love. In the first place

it leads to untiring effort for  {17}  the

salvation of others. If I really love men, I

cannot bear the thought that they should be lost

forever, and I will be willing to work day and

night to save them from such an awful destiny. In

the second place, love attracts others to us.

There is nothing so irresistible as love. It is

Jesus Christ lifted up on the Cross, a revelation

of God's love and of His own love to man, that

draws all men unto Him (John 12:32). Men will not

put you off if they really believe that you love

them, but they will never believe that you love

them unless you really do. We need not only to

love to men, but love to Christ. It was the love

of Christ that constrained Paul to his untiring

efforts to bring men to a knowledge of Christ. The

great men and women of Christian history have been

the men and women who have had a great love to

Christ, men and women whose hearts were all aglow

with love to the glorious Son of God.

 

But how can we get love? First of all, by dwelling

upon Christ's love to us.

 

"We love him, because he first loved us." 1_John

4:19.

 

We shall never appreciate Christ's love to us

until we see it against the black background of

our own sin. It is the one who is forgiven much

who loves much (Luke 7:47). The one who has never

been brought to a deep realization of his own

sinfulness before God will have no warmth of love

to that Savior who, by His own atoning death on

the Cross, redeemed him from the awful depth to

which he had sunk. The Apostle Paul realized that

he was the chief of sinners, and that Jesus loved

him and gave Himself for him, so he was full of

love to Jesus Christ.

 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all

acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world

to save sinners OF WHOM I AM CHIEF." 2_Timothy

1:15.

 

"I am crucified with Christ, nonetheless I live;

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life

which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith

of the Son of God who LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF

FOR ME." Galatians 2:20.

 

If we are to have love to Christ and love to men,

the Holy Ghost must impart it. The first fruit of

the Spirit is love:

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."

Galatians 5:22.

 

If we will look to the Holy Spirit to do His whole

work in our hearts, He will soon fill them with

love to Christ and love to our fellow men.  {18}

 

VI. PERSEVERANCE.

 

The sixth condition of success in personal work is

perseverance. No work requires so much patience

and perseverance as soul-winning. Men are not

usually won to Christ in a day. You must hold on

to men day after day, week after week, month after

month, and if need be, year after year. You must

not give up even though you seem to make

absolutely no headway at first, and even though

you seem to do more harm than good. When you start

out to lead a man to Christ, keep after that man

until he is saved, no matter how long it takes.

Study how to get at men who are unreachable. Men

who cannot be reached in one way can in another.

There are very few men in the world to whose

hearts there is not an open door somewhere, if

only we will search diligently until we find it.

If we cannot get in at the door, perhaps we can

break up the roof and get in that way. Any one who

wishes to win souls at the rate of one every

fifteen minutes had better go into some other

business. Take time; never give up; and do

thorough work. I waited and watched fifteen long

years to get my chance with one man. Never a day

passed for all those fifteen years that I did not

speak to God about that man. At last my chance

came, and it was my privilege to lead him to

Christ. He afterwards became a preacher of the

Gospel, and is now in heaven. I was with him the

day before he died, and shall never forget that

day as long as I live. When you undertake to bring

a man to Christ, never give up.

 

VII. PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE.

 

The seventh condition of success in personal work

is a practical knowledge of the Bible.

 

"Every Scripture inspired of God is also

profitable for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, for instruction with is in

righteousness: that the man of God may be

complete, FURNISHED COMPLETELY UNTO EVERY GOOD

WORK." 2_Timothy 3:16-17 RV.

 

In the Bible is all the truth we need in dealing

with men. The Word of God is the only instrument

that God has appointed for the salvation of men,

and the only instrument He honors is the Word. It

is the Word that produces conviction of sin. It is

the Word that regenerates. It is the Word that

produces faith:  {19}

 

"Now when they heard this, they were PRICKED IN

THEIR HEART, and said unto Peter and to the rest

of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we

do?" Acts 2:37.

 

"Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed but of

incorruptible, by THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth

and abideth for ever." 1_Peter 1:23.

 

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by

THE WORD OF GOD." Romans 10:17.

 

If then we are to be used in soul-winning, we must

know the Bible. There are five texts that ought to

sink deep into the heart of every personal worker.

They are:

 

1. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing

by THE WORD OF GOD." Romans 10:17.

 

2. "The seed is THE WORD OF GOD." Luke 8:11.

 

3. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but

of incorruptible, by THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth

and abideth for ever." 1_Peter 1:23.

 

4. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the

sword of the Spirit, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD."

EPHESIANS 6:17.

 

5. "Is not MY WORD LIKE AS A FIRE? said the Lord:

and LIKE A HAMMER that breaketh the rock in

pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29.

 

The personal worker who depends upon any

instrument other than the Word of God is doomed to

failure. But we must have a practical knowledge of

the Bible, that is we must know how to use it for

definite results. A great many men have a large

theoretical knowledge of the Bible, but no

practical knowledge. They do not know how to use

the Bible so as to accomplish anything definite by

its use. In an inquiry meeting one evening, I

asked one of the best Bible scholars in America to

speak to an inquirer and show her the way of life,

and he whispered in my ear, "I don't know how to

do that." A small practical knowledge of the Bible

is better in personal work than a large

theoretical knowledge. A practical knowledge of

the Bible involves four things:

 

1. A knowledge how to so use the Bible as to show

men, and make men realize, their need of a Savior.

 

2. A knowledge of how to use the Bible so as to

show men Jesus as just the Savior who meets their

need.

 

3. A knowledge of how to use the Bible so as to

show men how to make Jesus their own Savior.

 

4. A knowledge of how to use the Bible so as to

meet the difficulties that stand in the way of

their accepting Christ.

 

A large part of the following pages will be

devoted to imparting this particular kind of Bible

knowledge. {20}

 

VIII. PRAYER.

 

The eighth condition of success in personal work

is prayer. God honors prayer. In nothing does He

honor it more than in the matter of soul-winning.

The one who is to be much used of God in

soul-winning, must spend much time in prayer.

There are four things for which we must especially

pray:

 

1. We must ask God to bring to us, or us to, the

right persons. We cannot speak with every one. If

we attempt it, we will spend much time in speaking

where we can do no good, that we might have used

in speaking where we could have accomplished

something for Christ. God alone knows the one to

whom He intends us to speak, and we must ask Him

to point him out to us, and expect Him to do it.

 

"Then THE SPIRIT SAID UNTO PHILIP, Go near, and

join thyself to THIS chariot." Acts 8:29.

 

2. We should ask God to give us the right message

in each case where we do speak with any one. We

can learn much by studying what is the right

message for any given class of men, but after all

our study, we must look directly to God for the

right message in each individual case. Many cases

will baffle us, but no case will baffle God. We

need and must have the direct guidance of the Holy

Spirit in each individual case. Every experienced

worker could testify to many instances in which

God has led him to use some text of Scripture that

he would not otherwise have used, but which proved

to be just the one needed.

 

3. We must pray God to give power to that which He

has given us to say. We need not only a message

from God, but power from God to send the message

home. Most workers have to learn this lesson by

humiliating experiences. They sit down beside an

unsaved person and reason, and plead, and bring

forth texts from the Word of God, but the man does

not accept Christ. At last it dawns upon them that

they are trying to convert the man in their own

strength, and they lift a short but humble prayer

to God for His strength, and in a very little

while this "very difficult case" has settled the

matter and is rejoicing in Christ.

 

4. We must pray to God to carry on the work after

we have done everything in our power, and our work

has come to an end.  {21}  After having done that

which seems to have been our whole duty in any

given instance, whatever may have been the

apparent result of our work, whether successful or

unsuccessful, we should definitely commit the case

to God in prayer. If there is anything the average

worker in this hurrying age needs to have

impressed upon him, it is the necessity of much

prayer. By praying more, we will not work any

less, and we will accomplish vastly more.

 

IX. BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST.

 

The ninth condition of success in personal work is

the baptism with the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:8 we

read,

 

"But ye SHALL RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy

Ghost is come upon you."

 

The supreme condition of power in the apostolic

church was the definite baptism with the Holy

Ghost. The supreme condition of success in

soul-winning is the same today. Many in these days

are trying to prove that there is no such thing as

a special baptism with the Holy Spirit, but a

candid and careful study of the Acts of the

Apostles will show that there is. Very many in our

day also know by blessed experience that the

baptism with the Holy Spirit is a present day

reality. One ounce of believing experience along

this line is worth whole tons of unbelieving

exegesis, no matter how subtle and learned it may

be. There are thousands of men and women in this

and other lands who have been brought out of a

place of powerlessness into a place of power in

the Lord's service, through meeting the conditions

plainly laid down in the Bible for receiving the

Holy Ghost. This baptism with the Holy Spirit is

for every child of God, and the one who would be

largely used of God in personal work must get it

at any cost.

 

{22}

 

@03  CHAPTER THREE

 

WHERE TO DO PERSONAL WORK

 

I. PERSONAL WORK AFTER A GOSPEL MEETING.

 

Perhaps the easiest and most natural place to do

personal work is after a Gospel meeting. Whenever

you attend a meeting, watch for some one to deal

with after the meeting is over. Do not trust to

chance in the matter, but as the minister preaches

the sermon keep your eyes on the audience and

watch who it is that is hit and what hits them,

then you can follow up the work that the minister

has already done by his sermon. You will soon

acquire good judgment in deciding with whom it is

wisest to speak. Of course one must be on his

guard against being obtrusive in watching others.

Before you go to the meeting pray definitely to

God to give you some one at the meeting, and then

watch for an answer to your prayer. When you have

found your man, go for him, and do not let him

slip away under any consideration. It is often

well to go as quickly as possible to one of the

doors of the meeting-house, and without making

oneself too prominent, watch people as they come

out, and then gently and courteously approach some

one, and deal with him about his soul.

 

There is a great difference in Christian workers.

Some seem never to get any one at the close of a

meeting unless some one else takes them to them.

They wait around with their Bible under their arm

for some one to come to them and take them to an

inquirer; others keep their eyes open for

themselves, and almost always manage to get hold

of some one.

 

In many of the more active churches, the church is

divided into sections with an overseer over each

division of the church, and individual workers

under the overseer. This is an excellent  {23}

plan. When it is well carried out it prevents any

hopeful cases from getting out without being dealt

with personally.

 

II. IN HOMES.

 

The Apostle Paul tells us that he preached the

Gospel not only publicly, but "from house to

house" (Acts 20:20). There is far too little

Christian work done in the home. The best home to

begin with is your own. Jesus bade the demoniac of

Gadara when he was healed to return to his own

house and show how great things God had done unto

him (Luke 8:39). Every man who is converted should

begin to tell the saving power of Christ first in

his own home, to his own relatives and friends.

Many a mother with her family of children regrets

that she has not a wider field of labor for

Christ, but she will find one of the grandest of

all fields in her own home.

 

But we should not limit our personal work to our

own homes; we should do it in the homes where we

visit. In this way those who make us partakers of

their hospitality will entertain angels unawares

(Hebrews 13:2). A godly man who once visited in

the home of Spurgeon's parents, by a few words to

the little boy, made an impression upon that boy

that went far toward making him the mighty

minister of the Gospel that he became in after

years.

 

Then we should do personal work in the houses that

we enter in our house-to-house visitation. That

man or woman is a poor church visitor who simply

makes a pleasant call or talks upon religious

generalities. The true visitor will find frequent

opportunities for doing effective personal work

with some of the inhabitants of the home, or with

strangers they may find calling upon them.

 

III. ON THE STREETS.

 

Here again we have the Apostle Paul for an

example. Not only did he reason "in the synagogue

with the Jews and the devout persons," but also

"in the market place every day with them that met

with him." (Acts 17:17 RV) As you walk the

streets, be listening for the voice of God to say

"Go and speak to that man." Very often as one

walks the street of a crowded city or the lonely

roads of the country, if he is walking with God,

the leading will come to speak to some one that he

meets by the way, and countless are the souls that

have been led out of darkness into light in  {24}

this way. As you look upon the surging crowd, ask

God if there is some one in this crowd with whom

He desires you to speak. Sometimes it is well to

stand to one side and watch  the people as they

pass. Soon there will come a face that interests

you, a face it may be that tells a story of sin,

or sorrow and need. You can quietly follow this

person and watch for an opportunity to engage him

in conversation, and then point him to the one who

says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

 

IV. IN THE PARKS AND OTHER RESORTS.

 

The parks are often full of people who have plenty

of leisure and are willing to talk upon almost any

subject. Go through the park and find your man,

engage him in a conversation, and as quickly as

you can, lead him up to the great subject that is

burning in your own heart. Oftentimes it is well

to begin to talk about matters of passing

interest, the burning questions of the day, then

lead by the shortest possible route to the great

question. Sometimes show the one with whom you are

talking a tract, and ask his opinion of it, and

this will lead easily to the matter uppermost in

your mind. Not infrequently if you sit down in a

park some one will come and sit down beside you

and begin to talk to you, then of course it is

very easy to lead him into a conversation about

his own soul's need.

 

V. ON A WALK OR RIDE.

 

In this we have our Savior's own example. He made

the hearts of the two disciples burn within them

while He spoke to them in the way, and opened to

them the Scriptures (Luke 24:32). We also have the

example of Philip the evangelist. The Spirit bade

him go and join himself to the chariot of Queen

Candace's treasurer. The treasurer invited him up

into the chariot to ride with him, and the

memorable conversation and personal dealing that

followed led to the conversion and baptism of the

treasurer, and the carrying of the Gospel into

Ethiopia (Acts 8:29-38). There are few more

favorable places to do personal work than on a

walk or ride with a friend or even with a

stranger. {25}

 

VI. AT THE PLACE OF BUSINESS.

 

Here again we have the Savior's example. "As he

passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting

at the receipt of custom, and said unto him,

Follow me. And he arose and followed him." (Mark

2:14) Of course we ought not to interrupt men and

hinder their proper performance of their business

duties. Many a workman has rare opportunities to

speak with his fellow workmen, sometimes during

work hours, sometimes during the noon rest. One of

the most earnest Christian ministers I ever know

had been a godless employee in a factory, but the

man who worked next to him was a Christian, took

an interest in his fellow employee's soul, and was

instrumental under God in leading him to Christ. I

have met a good many from one of  the largest

business institutions in our city who have been

led to Christ by one consecrated young man in the

establishment. This young man has since gone as a

foreign missionary, but he was used of God to lead

many of his fellow employees to Christ before he

went. It is well, wherever possible, to go into

stores and factories and other places of business

for the deliberate purpose of leading those who

work there to Christ. Of course, as already said,

it will not do to interrupt a man at his business,

neither will it do generally to deal with him when

others are around and listening, nor should he be

taken at an hour when he is in a bad temper; but

one who has that discretion that God is so ready

to give (James 1:5) will find many opportunities

for doing the Master's work. It is quite possible

oftentimes to drop a word, or even to have a

little talk, when there is not a great pressure of

business, with the clerk who sells us goods, or

with the barker who shaves us, or with the boy who

blacks our shoes. There are five marks of a good

opportunity; when one is alone, unoccupied, in

good humor, communicative and in a serious mood.

 

VII. ON CARS AND BOATS.

 

Traveling on a train affords a very rare

opportunity for personal work. Travelers usually

have much time that hangs heavily upon their

hands, and are glad to get into conversation with

any one, but if one is a real Christian, there is

one subject always uppermost in his mind, one

subject that he would rather talk about than any

other, and that is Jesus Christ. When you get

{26} into a train, get as good a seat for yourself

as you can, put your coat and grip out of the way,

move away over to the farther side of the seat,

and make the vacant space beside you look as

inviting as possible. If the car is at all

crowded, you will soon have a fellow passenger,

and the desired opportunity for personal work.

Sometimes it is well to keep your coat and grip in

the seat beside you until you see the man or woman

that you want coming, and then remove them and

move along in a way of silent invitation.

 

It is well to talk with the trainmen and porters.

They are usually willing to talk, and many of them

have been led to Christ by Spirit-filled workers

who were traveling with them.

 

Many Christian workers go through trains and give

tracts to every one on the train. I am not sure

that this is the wisest thing to do, but I know

that great blessing has come from it in many

cases. Certainly it is well to carry a good supply

of religious literature with you when you travel.

Some of the books of the Bible Institute

Colportage Association are excellent for this

purpose, such, e.g., as "Probably Sons." People

are willing to read almost anything on a train,

and these books without any comment oftentimes

will lead the reader to Christ, and when they do

not do this, they pave the way for a conversation.

 

Street cars are not as favorable a place for

personal work as trains. One does not have the

time or opportunity that he has on a train, and

yet good work can be done on a street car, both

with the passengers and with the motorman and

conductor. A minister once said to me, "I was

greatly ashamed last night going down on the

street car. I was sitting inside the car talking

on unimportant matters with friends, and as I

looked to the front end of the car, I saw one

member of my church talking with the driver about

his soul, and when I looked to the other end of

the car I saw another member of my church talking

to the conductor, and there I, the pastor of the

church, was doing nothing but wasting my time."

 

VIII. PRISONS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER PUBLIC

INSTITUTIONS.

 

A fine place to do personal work is in public

institutions, such as prisons and hospitals, where

many people are gathered together and are at

leisure from morning till night. Every Sunday, all

over this land, devoted men and women are going

into prisons, jails and {27}  hospitals, carrying

the glad tidings of salvation, and thousands are

being converted to God through their faithful

personal work. Many of the best Christians that I

know today were brought to Christ in prison, not

so much through the public preaching, as through

the personal work of some devoted child of God who

went from cell to cell and talked to the men about

Christ. But while so much is being done already in

this direction, there are many prisons and jails

and hospitals where little or nothing is done.

 

Nurses in hospitals have a rare opportunity of

doing personal work in the institutions where they

are employed. Fortunately a very large proportion

of trained nurses are devoted Christian women, and

yet many of them do not realize the opportunities

that God has put within their reach. A very

unusual opportunity is also open to the Christian

physician. Indeed a true Christian physician will

oftentimes find opportunities for doing personal

work that even the minister of the Gospel cannot

find. Sometimes it will be with the patient whom

he is treating, sometimes with the relatives and

friends of the patient who are in deep anxiety as

to the outcome of the sickness.

 

What has been said does not of course cover all

the places where personal work can be done, but it

will suggest rich fields of opportunity. To put it

in a word, personal work should be done

everywhere. We read of the early disciples that

"they that were scattered abroad went EVERYWHERE

preaching the Word" (Acts 8:4), that is talking to

individuals about Jesus, showing them the word of

truth as it is found in the Bible, and leading

them to accept it. Every child of God should be at

all times on the lookout for opportunities to

speak personally to some man or woman about

Christ.

 

{28}

 

@04  CHAPTER FOUR

 

HOW TO BEGIN

 

One of the most difficult points in personal work

is beginning. It is comparatively easy to go on

after one has got an opening.

 

I. FIND THE ONE TO DEAL WITH.

 

The first thing is to find the one to deal with.

As has already been said, we should pray God to

lead us to some one, or some one to us. When we go

to church, or when we walk the street, when we are

in the park, or on the train, or calling; in a

word, whenever we have time that is not demanded

by other duties we should look up to God and

definitely ask Him to lead us to the one with whom

we are to speak, if it is His will that we employ

that time in work for Him. Further than this, we

should be on the lookout for opportunities. A

fisherman cultivates a keen eye for opportunities

to catch fish; and a soul-winner should cultivate

a keen eye for opportunities for soul-winning.

Whenever we are thrown into the company of a man

or woman, the great probability is that it is a

providential opening, and we should be ready to

meet it as such. It is said of one of the most

distinguished Sunday school workers in this

country that he makes it a point whenever he is

alone with any individual to speak to him about

his soul. The story is told of Uncle John Vassar,

that being left alone in a hotel parlor with a

strange lady, he at once approached her and began

to speak to her about her soul. After he had gone,

the woman's husband returned, and she told him

what had happened. The husband was an a great

rage, and said, "If I had been here, I would have

sent him about his business." His wife replied,

"If you had been here, you would have thought he

was about his business." We ought to make

soul-winning our business, and improve every

possible opportunity.  {29}

 

II. CONVERSATION.

 

Having found your man, begin a conversation. How

shall that be done? In the inquiry room, by asking

at once a few leading questions to find out just

where the man stands, for example: "Are you a

Christian?"  "Are you saved?" "Have you been born

again?"  "Upon what do you base your hope of

eternal life?" "Are you confessing Christ openly

before the world?"  "Have you surrendered all you

have and are to Christ?" Sometimes it is well to

begin in this direct way even when you meet some

one casually. The question "Are you saved?" is as

a general rule a better one to ask than "Are you a

Christian?" It is more likely to set one to

thinking. It is more definite and pointed. Many

will take the asking of such a question as an

impertinence, but that will not prove that the

question has not done good. Not a few people who

have become angry at a stranger putting a question

like this to them have afterward been converted in

consequence of it. There are many other questions

that one may ask that will0 set men to thinking

and open the way for further conversation. For

example, you can ask a man, "Do you think that

life is worth living?" and after you have engaged

him in conversation on this point you can lead him

on and tell of the life that really is worth

living. Or you can ask an utter stranger, "How do

you think a man can get the most real satisfaction

out of life, that is, of course, by accepting

Jesus Christ as a Savior."  Or you can say to a

man, "I have learned the great secret of

happiness," and when he asks you what it is, you

can tell him. Of course these are offered only as

suggestions of ways in which to begin a

conversation.

 

A good way to begin is by handing the person with

whom you wish to deal, a well-chosen tract to

read. When he has finished the tract, you can ask

him what he thinks about it, and thus the way is

opened to a conversation on the great subject. It

is often well to begin by engaging the person in a

general conversation, perhaps on subjects quite

remote from religion, and gradually working around

to the point. It was thus that Christ engaged the

woman of Samaria, making a very simple request of

her, that she would give Him a drink (John 4:7),

but before long, He was telling her of the living

water. If the person with whom you wish to deal is

{30}  older than yourself, you might begin by

saying, "There is a subject in which I am deeply

interested, and I am trying to get all the light

upon it that I can; you are much older than I, and

perhaps you can help me; the subject is 'How to Be

Saved.'"

 

Showing people little kindnesses very often opens

the way for a conversation on the great subject.

For example, in a crowded car one can move along

and invite some one who is standing to a seat by

his side. It is the most natural thing in the

world then to get into conversation, and the favor

of the person who has been standing is gained. and

it will be very easy to lead on to the great

subject. When one is riding, and sees some one

else walking, an invitation to the walker to ride

will afford a splendid opportunity for approaching

him on the subject of his soul's salvation. Mr.

Moody made a constant practice of inviting those

with whom he wished to deal to go riding with him.

As he drew near to some quiet spot, he would speak

to them of what was upon his heart, and then stop

the horse and have a season of prayer. No one can

tell how many were thus led to Christ. Sometimes

it is well to show the people that you would lead

to Christ kindness for days and weeks, and even

years, waiting for your opportunity to say a word.

A devoted missionary to China who had made great

sacrifices to go to that land was received by the

people with bitterest hatred, but he simply gave

himself up to live among them and live for them.

One by one opportunities came of showing them

kindnesses, and after years of self-sacrificing

living, he had so won their confidence that it was

an easy matter for him to lead them to Christ. But

he had to begin by showing them the most ordinary,

everyday kindnesses, far away, apparently, from

the subject that was closest to his heart.

 

Sometimes a person's face will tell the story of

discontent, unhappiness or unrest. In such a case

it is easy to ask the person if he is happy, and

when he says no, tell him you can tell him of One

who can make him happy if only he will take Him.

 

Tact in beginning will come with experience, but

it is better to begin awkwardly than not to begin

at all. I do not think that any one could begin

more awkwardly in this work than I did with the

first person I led to Christ. I felt that God

wanted me to speak to this young man and I called

on him for that purpose, but  {31} when I met him

I had not the slightest idea what to say. I talked

on and on waiting for an opportunity, and at last

blundered out awkwardly what I had come for. God

blessed the awkward but honest effort, and the

young man was saved, and has become a very active

and efficient worker for Christ.

 

The best way to learn how to do personal work is

by doing it, gaining wisdom from your mistakes.

 

III. FIND OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHERE THE PERSON

WITH WHOM YOU ARE DEALING STANDS.

 

Having begun the conversation, find out as soon as

possible where the person with whom you are

dealing stands. In order to treat a case

intelligently, you need just as much as a

physician to know just where the man is at

present. But how can we find out to what class any

person belongs?

 

1. First of all, BY ASKING HIM QUESTIONS, such

questions as "Are you saved?"  "Have you eternal

life?" "Have you been born again?"  "Do you know

that you are a great sinner before God?"  "Do you

know that your sins are forgiven?" Or you can ask

a person directly, "Where do you stand, what do

you believe?" He may answer these questions

untruthfully, either from ignorance or a desire to

mislead you; nevertheless the answers and his

manner of giving them will show you a great deal

about his real state.

 

2. BY WATCHING THE INQUIRER'S FACE. A man's face

will often reveal that which his words try to

conceal. Any one who cultivates a study of the

faces of those with whom he deals, will soon be

able to tell in many instances their exact state

irrespective of anything they may say.

 

3. BY OBSERVING HIS TONE AND MANNER. A man's tone

or his manner often tells more than his words. A

man who is not saved will very likely tell you

that he is, but his tone and manner will reveal

plainly that he is not. If one gets angry at you

for asking these questions, that of itself reveals

an uneasy conscience.

 

4. BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit, if we look

to Him to do it, will often flash into our minds a

view of the man's position, and just the Scripture

that he needs.  {32}

 

IV. LEAD HIM AS DIRECTLY AS YOU CAN TO ACCEPT

JESUS CHRIST AS A PERSONAL SAVIOR, AND TO

SURRENDER TO HIM AS LORD AN MASTER.

 

When we have learned where the person with whom we

are dealing stands, the next thing to do is to

lead him as directly as we can to accept Jesus

Christ as a personal Savior, and to surrender to

Him as his Lord and Master. We must always bear in

mind that the primary purpose of our work is not

to get people to join the church, or to give up

their bad habits, or to do anything else than

this, to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, the

one who bore their sins in His own body on the

tree, and the one through whom they can have

immediate and entire forgiveness, and as their

Master to whom they surrender absolutely the

guidance of their thoughts, purposes, feelings and

actions.

 

V. SHOW HIM FROM GOD'S WORD THAT HE HAS

FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ETERNAL LIFE.

 

Having led any one to thus accept Christ, the next

step will be to show him from God's Word that he

has forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Acts

10:43; 13:39; John 3:36; 5:24 will answer for this

purpose.

 

VI. SHOW HIM HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE

CHRISTIAN LIFE UPON WHICH HE HAS ENTERED.

 

The next step will be to show him how to make a

success of the Christian life upon which he has

entered.

 

{32}

 

@05  CHAPTER FIVE

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO REALIZE THEIR NEED OF A

SAVIOR AND REALLY DESIRE TO BE SAVED

 

We come now to the question of how to deal with

individual cases. We begin with those who realize

their need of a Savior, and really desire to be

saved. We begin with these because they are the

easiest class to deal with.

 

I. SHOW THEM JESUS AS A SIN-BEARER.

 

The first thing to show one who realizes his need

of a Savior is that Jesus has borne his sins in

His own body on the cross. A good verse for this

purpose is Isaiah 53:6:

 

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have

turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath

laid on him the iniquity of us all."

 

Get the inquirer to read the verse himself, then

say to him, "The first half of this verse shows

you your need of salvation, the second half shows

you the provision that God has made for your

salvation. Read again the first half of the verse.

Is this true of you? Have you gone astray like a

sheep? Have you turned to your own way?"  "Yes."

"Then what are you?" Get the inquirer to say, "I

am lost."  "We will now look at the provision God

has made for your salvation; read the last half of

the verse. Who is the one in this verse upon whom

our iniquity has been laid?" "Christ."  "What then

has God done with your sin?"  "Laid it on Christ."

"Is it then on you any longer?" Go over it again

and again until he sees that his sin is not on

him, but that it is on Christ, and has been

settled forever. I often use a simple illustration

in making the meaning of the verse plain. I let my

right hand represent the inquirer, my left hand

{33}  represent Christ, and my Bible represent the

inquirer's sin. I first lay the Bible on my right

hand and say, "Now where is your sin?" The

inquirer replies of course, "On me." I then repeat

the last half of the verse, "the Lord hath LAID ON

HIM the iniquity of us all," and transfer the

Bible from my right hand to my left, and ask,

"Where is your sin now?" The inquirer replies, "On

Him, of course." I then ask, "Is it on you any

longer?" and he says, "No, on Christ." Very many

people have been led out into light and joy by

this simple illustration.

 

I sometimes put it in this way, in using this

verse, "There are two things which a man needs to

know, and one thing he needs to do in order to be

saved. What he needs to know is, first, that he is

a lost sinner, and this verse tells him that, and

second, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior,

and this verse tells him that. What he needs to do

is to accept this all-sufficient Savior whom God

has provided. Now will you accept Him right here

and now?"

 

Another excellent verse to show Jesus as a

sin-bearer, is Galatians 3:13:

 

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the

law, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

 

The inquirer should be given the verse to read for

himself. When he has read it, you may question him

something like this: "What does this verse tell us

that Christ has redeemed us from?"  "Whom has He

redeemed?"  "How has He redeemed us from the curse

of the law?"  "Do you believe that Christ has

redeemed you from the curse of the law by being

made a curse in your place?"  "Will you read it

then in the singular instead of in the plural?"

Make it clear what you mean, until the inquirer

reads the verse in this way: "Christ has redeemed

me from the curse of the law, being made a curse

for me; for it is written, cursed is every one

that hangeth on a tree."

 

Another good verse for this purpose is

2_Corinthians 5:21:

 

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew

no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of

God in him."

 

Have him read the verse, and then ask questions

somewhat as follows: "Who is it that hath been

made sin for us?" "For whom has Christ been made

sin?" "For what purpose is it that Christ has been

made sin for us?"  "Can you put this verse in the

singular and  {35} read it this way: 'For he hath

made him to be sin for me, who knew no sin; that I

might be made the righteousness of God in him'?"

 

Sometimes it will be well to use all three of

these passages, but as a rule the first is

sufficient; so far as my own experience goes, it

is more effective than either of the other

passages -- in fact, I deal with very few men with

whom I do not use Isaiah 53:6 sooner or later.

 

II. SHOW THEM JESUS AS A RISEN SAVIOR, ABLE TO

SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST.

 

It is not enough to show them Jesus as a

sin-bearer, for through believing in Jesus as a

sin-bearer one merely gets pardon from sin, but

there is something else that the sinner needs,

that is deliverance from sin's power. In order to

get this, they need to see Jesus as a risen

Savior, able to save to the uttermost. By

believing in Christ crucified, we get pardon, but

by believing in Christ risen, we get deliverance

from sin's power. One of the best verses to use

for this purpose is Hebrews 7:25:

 

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the

uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he

ever liveth to make intercession for them."

 

When the inquirer has read the passage, ask him

who it is that is able to save, and to what extent

He is able to save. Explain to the inquirer what

"to the uttermost" means. Many read this passage

as though it taught that Jesus was able to save

from the uttermost. This is true, but it is not

the truth of this text, it is save TO the

uttermost. Then ask the inquirer why it is that

Jesus is able to save to the uttermost. Dwell upon

this thought, that JESUS EVER LIVETH, that He is

not only a Savior who once died and made atonement

for sin, but that He is a Savior who lives today,

and is able to keep from sin's power. Then ask the

inquirer if he is willing to trust Jesus as a

living Savior, one to whom he can look day by day

for victory over sin.

 

Another good verse to use for this purpose is Jude

24:

 

"Now unto him that is ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM

FALLING, and to present you faultless before the

presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

 

When the inquirer has read the verse, ask him what

this verse says Jesus is able to do, emphasize "to

keep you from falling." Explain why it is that

Jesus is able to keep from falling; because He is

a  {36}  risen, living Savior today, and get the

inquirer to see plainly that he is to look to the

risen Christ to keep him from falling.

 

Matthew 28:18 is a good verse to use to bring out

the extent of Christ's power:

 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All

power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

 

A young convert needs to realize that he is to

stand, not in his own strength, but in the

strength of Christ, and it is a great help for him

to see that the one in whom he is to trust has all

power in heaven and in earth.

 

One can also use to advantage 1_Peter 1:5:

 

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith

unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last

time."

 

and 1_Corinthians 15:1-4. The latter passage

brings out clearly the thought that the doctrine

that Christ died for our sins, as blessed as it

is, is not the whole Gospel, but only half of it;

that the rest of the Gospel is that He was buried

and that He rose again. Always get an inquirer to

believe not only in Christ crucified, but in

Christ risen as well. A man once came to me in

deep distress of soul. He was a perfect stranger

to me, but told me that he had come quite a

distance to tell me his story. He said, "When I

was a boy seven years of age, I started to read

the Bible through. I had not gotten through

Deuteronomy before I found that if one kept the

whole law of God for one hundred years, and then

broke it at one point, he was under the curse of a

broken law. Was that right?"  "Yes," I replied,

"that is substantially the teaching of the law."

He then continued, that he was in deep distress of

soul for about a year, but as a boy of eight, he

read John 3:16 and saw how Jesus Christ had died

in his place, and borne the curse of the broken

law for him, and he added, "My burden rolled away,

and I had great joy. Was I converted?" I replied

that that sounded very much like an evangelical

conversion. "Well," he said, "let me tell you the

rest of my story. Years passed by; I came to

Chicago to live; I worked in the stockyards and

lived in the stockyards region among many godless

men; I fell into drink and I cannot break away;

every little while this sin gets the mastery of

me, and what I have come to ask you is, is there

any way in which I can get the victory over sin?"

I  {37}  replied, "There is. I am glad you have

come to me; let me show you the way." I opened my

Bible to 1_Corinthians 15:1-4, and had him read:

 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel

which I preached unto you, which also ye have

received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye

are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached

unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I

delivered unto you first of all that which I also

received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

according to the Scriptures; and that he was

buried, AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN the third day

according to the Scriptures."

 

Then I said to him, "What is the Gospel that Paul

preached?" He answered, "That Christ died for our

sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and

rose again."  "That is right," I said. Then I

said, "Now you have believed the first part of

this Gospel, that Christ died for your sins."

"Yes."  "Through believing that you have found

peace." "Yes."  "Well," I continued, "this is only

half the Gospel. If you will really believe the

other half from your heart, you will get victory

over your sin. Do you believe that Jesus rose

again?" "Yes, I believe everything in the Bible."

"Do you believe that Jesus is today in the place

of power at the right hand of God?"  "I do."  "Do

you believe that He has all power in heaven and on

earth?"  "I do."  "Do you believe that this risen

Christ with all power in heaven and on earth has

power to set you free from the power of your sin?"

"Yes,"  he said slowly, "I do."  "Will you ask Him

to do it, and trust Him to do it right now?"  "I

will." We knelt in prayer. I prayed and then he

followed. He asked the risen Christ to set him

free from the power of sin. I asked him if he

really believed He had power to do it. "Yes."  "Do

you believe He will do it?"  "Yes, I do." We rose

and parted. Some time after, I received a very

joyous letter from him, telling me how glad he was

that he had come to see me, and how the message he

had heard was just the one that he needed. There

are thousands of professing Christians today who

know Jesus as crucified Savior, and have found

pardon and peace through believing in Him, but

they have never been brought to a definite, clear

faith in Jesus as a risen Savior who can save from

the power of sin.

 

III. SHOW THEM JESUS AS LORD.

 

It is not enough to know Jesus as a Savior; we

must know Him as Lord also. A good verse for this

purpose is Acts 2:36:    {38}

 

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know

assuredly, that GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS,

whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST."

 

When the inquirer has read the verse, ask him what

God hath made Jesus, and hold him to it until he

replies, "Both Lord and Christ." Then say to him,

"Are you willing to accept Him as your Divine

Lord, the one to whom you will surrender your

heart, your every thought, and word, and act?"

 

Another good verse for this purpose is Romans

10:9:

 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth THE

LORD Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that

God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved."

 

When the inquirer has read the verse, ask him what

we are to confess Jesus as. He should reply,

"Lord." If he does not so reply, ask him other

questions until he does answer in this way. Then

ask him, "Do you really believe that Jesus is

Lord, that He is Lord of all, that He is

rightfully the absolute Lord and Master of your

life and person?" Perhaps it will be well to use

Acts 10:36 as throwing additional light upon this

point:

 

"The word which God sent unto the children of

Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (HE IS

LORD OF ALL)."

 

IV. SHOW THEM HOW TO MAKE JESUS THEIR OWN.

 

It is not enough to see that Jesus is a

sin-bearer, and that Jesus is a risen Savior, and

that Jesus is Lord; one must also see how to make

this Jesus their own sin-bearer, their own risen

Savior, and their own Lord. There is perhaps no

better verse to use for this purpose than John

1:12:

 

"But AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, to them gave he

power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name."

 

When one has read the verse, you can ask to whom

it is Jesus gave power to become the sons of God.

"As many as received Him."  "Received Him as

what?" then make it clear from what you have

already said under the preceding points, that it

is to receive Him as sin-bearer, to receive Him as

a risen Savior, to receive Him as our Lord and

Master. "Will you just take Him as your sin-bearer

now, as your risen Savior, as your Lord and

Master? Will you take Him to be whatever He offers

Himself to you to be?"  "I will." "Then  {38}

what does this verse show you that you have a

right to call yourself?"  "A son of God."  "Are

you a son of God?"  Oftentimes the inquirer will

hesitate, but go over it again and again until it

is as clear as day to him.

 

Another excellent passage to use for this purpose

is John 3:16:

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only

begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM

should not perish, but have everlasting life."

 

Ask the inquirer who it is that receives eternal

life. "Whosoever believes in Him."  "Do you

believe in Him as your sin-bearer?"  "Do you

believe in Him as your risen Savior?"  "Do you

believe in Him as your Lord?"  "Well, then, what

have you?"

 

Another good passage to use is Acts 10:43:

 

"To him give all the prophets witness, that

through his name WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM shall

receive remission of sins."

 

Still another is Acts 13:39:

 

"And by him ALL THAT BELIEVE are justified from

all things, from which ye could not be justified

by the law of Moses."

 

V. SHOW THE NEED OF CONFESSING CHRIST WITH THE

MOUTH.

 

No conversion is clear and satisfactory until one

has been led to confess Christ with the mouth

before men. Perhaps the best passage to show the

need of such open confession with the mouth is

Romans 10:9-10:

 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the

Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that

God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved. For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation."

 

When the inquirer has read it, ask him what is the

first thing this verse tells us that we must do if

we are to be saved. "Confess with thy mouth the

Lord Jesus."  "Well, will you confess Jesus as

your Lord with the mouth now?" Wherever possible,

it is good to get the persons dealt with to make a

public confession of Jesus just as soon as

possible. If you are dealing with them in an

after-meeting, have them make this confession

right then and there; if somewhere else, bring

them to a prayer-meeting, or some other service

where they can make the confession, as soon as

possible.  {40}

 

VI. LEAD INTO ASSURANCE.

 

It is not enough that one should be saved, one

ought to have the assurance that he is saved. He

ought to be brought to a place where he can say

confidently and joyously, "I KNOW I am saved, I

KNOW I have everlasting life."  After an inquirer

has been led to the acceptance and confession of

Christ, an excellent passage to use for this

purpose is John 3:36:

 

"He that believeth on the Son HATH EVERLASTING

LIFE: and he that believeth not the Son shall not

see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

 

When the inquirer has read the passage you can

say, "Now this passage tells us that there is some

one who has everlasting life; who is it?"  "He

that believeth on the Son."  "What does God say in

this passage that every one who believes on the

Son has?"  "Everlasting life."  "Is it absolutely

sure that every one who believes on the Son has

everlasting life?"  "It is; God says so."  "Well,

do you believe on the Son?" "Yes."  "What have you

then?" "Everlasting life."  "Are you absolutely

sure that you have everlasting life?" "Yes."  "Why

are you sure?"  "Because God says so here."  In

many cases, probably in the majority of cases, it

will be necessary to go over this again, and

again, before the inquirer says that he is

absolutely sure that he has everlasting life

because he believes on the Son, but do not let him

go until he is thus absolutely sure.

 

VII. GIVE DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW TO LIVE THE

CHRISTIAN LIFE.

 

It is not enough that a person be led to accept

Christ, that is only the beginning of the

Christian life, and if one is not shown how to

lead the Christian life which he has thus begun,

his life is likely to be largely one of failure.

The reason so many Christian lives are comparative

failures is because of a lack of definite and full

instruction to the young convert as to how to lead

the life which he has begun. The following

instructions should be given to every one who has

been dealt with as described above; and not only

to them, but to every other class of inquirers

that may be led to the acceptance of Christ by the

methods described in the following pages or in any

other way. You will speak to the inquirer somewhat

as follows: "You have just begun the Christian

life; now you wish to make a success of it. There

are six very  {41}  simple things to do, and it is

absolutely sure that any one who does these six

things will make a success of the Christian life."

 

1. "You will find the first of these in Matthew

10:32. Please read it very carefully:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN,

him will I confess also before my Father which is

in heaven."

 

This verse tells us that Christ confesses before

the Father those who confess Him before men. You

will make a success of the Christian life only if

Christ confesses you before the Father, so if you

wish to succeed in this life that you have begun,

YOU MUST MAKE A CONSTANT PRACTICE OF CONFESSING

CHRIST BEFORE MEN. Improve every opportunity that

you get of showing your colors, and stating that

you are upon Christ's side, and of telling what

the Lord hath done for your soul."

 

2. "STUDY THE WORD OF GOD REGULARLY, AND HIDE IT

IN YOUR HEART." To make this point clear, use the

following passages:

 

"THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, that I might

not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.

 

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the

word, that ye may grow thereby."  1_Peter 2:2.

 

One of the most frequent causes of failure in the

Christian life is neglect of the Word of God. One

can no more thrive spiritually without regular

spiritual food than he can thrive physically

without regular and proper physical nourishment.

 

3. "PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING." To make this point

clear, use

 

"Pray without ceasing." 1_Thessalonians 5:17.

 

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew

their strength; they shall mount up with wings as

eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they

shall walk, and not faith."  Isaiah 40;31.

 

Have the young convert read these verses again and

again and mark them in his Bible.

 

4. "SURRENDER YOUR WILL ABSOLUTELY TO GOD, AND

OBEY HIM IN ALL THINGS."  To make this plain use

Acts 5:32:

 

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so

is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given TO

THEM THAT OBEY HIM."  {42}  Show that obedience is

a matter of the will more than of the outward

life, and that God gives His Holy Spirit to them

that obey Him, or surrender their will absolutely

to Him. Insist upon the need of this absolute

surrender of the  will to God.

 

5. "BE A CONSTANT AND GENEROUS GIVER." To make the

necessity of this plain to the convert, use

2_Corinthians 9:6-8:

 

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall

reap also sparingly; and he which soweth

bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man

according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him

give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God

loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make

all grace abound toward you; that ye, always

having all sufficiency in all things, may abound

to every good work."

 

It is well sometimes to use Malachi 3:10 as a side

light:

 

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that

there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now

herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not

open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a

blessing, that there shall not be room enough to

receive it."

 

Go over and over it again and again until it is

fixed in the young convert's mind that if he is to

enjoy the fullness of God's blessing, if God is to

make all grace abound toward him, he must give to

the Lord's work as the Lord prospers him, that he

must be a constant and generous giver. Many young

Christians make little headway in the Christian

life because they are not plainly instructed on

the necessity of regular, systematic and generous

giving to the Lord.

 

6. "GO TO WORK FOR CHRIST AND KEEP WORKING FOR

CHRIST." To show the necessity of this, use

Matthew 25:14-30, explaining the teaching of the

parable, that it is the one who uses what he has

who gets more, but the one who neglects to use

what he has, loses even that.

 

Go over these six points again and again; write

them down with the texts, and give them to the

young convert to take with him. The directions

given above may seem to be very full, and it may

occur to the reader that it will take a long time

to follow them out. This is true, and oftentimes

it will not be necessary to use all the texts, but

at the same time it is best to be sure that you do

thorough work. There is a great deal of the

superficial and shoddy work done in soul-winning

today, and this kind of work does not  {43}

stand. It is better to spend an hour, or two

hours, on one person, and get him really rooted

and grounded in the truth, than it is to get a

dozen or more to say that they accept Christ, when

the do not really understand what they are doing.

One of the most common and greatest of faults in

Christian work today is superficial dealing with

souls.

 

{44}

 

@06  CHAPTER SIX

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO HAVE LITTLE OR NO

CONCERN ABOUT THEIR SOULS

 

The largest class of men and women are those who

have little or no concern about their salvation.

There are some who contend that there is no use

dealing with such, but there is.  It is our

business when a man has no concern about his

salvation to go to work to produce that concern.

How shall we do it?

 

I. SHOW HIM THAT HE IS A GREAT SINNER BEFORE GOD.

 

There is no better verse for this purpose than

Matthew 22:37-38:

 

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy

God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and

with all thy mind. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT

COMMANDMENT."

 

Before the one with whom you are dealing reads

these verses, you can say to him, "Do you know

that you are a great sinner before God?" Very

likely he will reply, "I suppose I am a sinner,

but I do not know that I am such a great sinner."

"Do you know that you have committed the greatest

sin that a man can possibly commit?"  "No, I

certainly have not." "What do you think is the

greatest sin that a man can commit?" Probably he

will answer, "Murder."  "You are greatly mistaken.

Let us see what God says about it."  Then have him

read the passage. When he has read it, ask him,

"What is the first and great commandment?"  "Thou

shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

"Which commandment is this?"  "The first and great

commandment."  "If this is the first and great

commandment, what is the first and great sin?"

"Not to keep this commandment."  "Have  {45}  you

kept it? Have you put God first in everything,

first in your affections, first in your thoughts,

first in your pleasures, first in your business,

first in everything?" "No, I have not."  "What

commandment, then, have you broken?"  "The first

and great commandment."

 

Some time ago a young man came into our inquiry

meeting. I asked him if he was a Christian, and he

replied that he was not. I asked him if he would

like to be, and he said he would. I said, "Why,

then, do you not become a Christian tonight?" He

replied, "I have no special interest in the

matter." I said, "Do you mean that you have no

conviction of sin?"  "Yes," he said, "I have no

conviction of sin, and am not much concerned about

the whole matter." I said, "I hold in my hand a

book which God has given us for the purpose of

producing conviction of sin; would you like to

have me use it upon you?" Half laughing, he

replied, "Yes." When he had taken a seat, I had

him read Matthew 22:37-38. When he had read the

passage I said to him, "What is the first and

great commandment?" He read it from the Bible. I

said, "If this is the first and great commandment,

what is the first and great sin?" He replied, 'Not

to keep this commandment." I asked, "Have you kept

it?"  "I have not."  "What have you done then?"

Said he, "I have broken the first and greatest of

God's commandments," and broken down with a sense

of sin, then and there he went down before God and

asked Him for mercy, and accepted Christ as his

Savior.

 

Another excellent passage to use to produce

conviction of sin is Romans 14:12:

 

"So then every one of us shall give account of

himself to God."

 

The great object in using this passage is to bring

the careless man face to face with God, and make

him realize that he must give account to God. When

he has read it, ask him, "Who has to give

account?"  "Every one of us."  "Whom does that

take in?"  "Me."  "Who then is to give account?"

"I am."  "To whom are you to give account?"  "To

God."  "Of what are you to give account?"  "Of

myself."  "Read it that way."  "I shall give

account of myself to God."  "Now just let that

thought sink into your heart. Say it over to

yourself again and again, 'I am to give account of

myself to God. I am to give account of myself to

God.' Are you ready to do it?"

 

Amos 4:12 can be used in much the same way:  {46}

 

"Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and

because I will do this unto thee, PREPARE TO MEET

THY GOD, O Israel."

 

Another very effective passage with many a

careless man is Romans 2:16:

 

"In the day when GOD SHALL JUDGE THE SECRETS of

men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

 

When the one with whom you are dealing has read

the verse, say, "What is God going to do in some

coming day?" "Judge the secrets of men."  "Judge

what?" "The secrets of men."  "Who is it that is

going to judge the secrets of men?"  "It is God."

"Are you ready to have the secret hidden things of

your life judged by a holy God?"

 

II. SHOW HIM THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES OF SIN.

 

A very effective passage for this purpose is

Romans 6:23:

 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of

God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our

Lord."

 

When he has read the passage, ask him, "What is

the wages of sin?"  "Death." Explain to him the

meaning of death, literal death, spiritual death,

eternal death. Now say, "This is the wages of sin;

have you earned these wages?"  "Are you willing to

take them?"  "No." "Well, there is one

alternative; read the remainder of the verse."

"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus

Christ our Lord."  "Now you have your choice

between the two, the wages that you have earned by

sin, and the gift of God; which will you choose?"

 

Another very useful passage along this line is

Isaiah 57:21:

 

"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

 

Another verse declaring the fearful consequences

of sin, is John 8:34:

 

"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto

you, Whosoever commiteth sin is the servant of

sin."

 

Have the one with whom you are dealing read the

passage, then ask him what every one who commits

sin is. "The servant of sin."  "What kind of a

service is that?" Bring it out that it is very

degrading. Ask the inquirer if he appreciates that

this is true of him, that  {47}  he is the servant

of sin, and then ask him if he does not want to be

set free from this awful bondage.

 

There is another passage that one can use in much

the same way, Romans 6:16:

 

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves

servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye

obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience

unto righteousness?"

 

III. SHOW HIM THE AWFULNESS OF UNBELIEF IN JESUS

CHRIST.

 

Very few out of Christ realize that unbelief in

Jesus Christ is anything very bad. Of course they

know it is not just right, but that it is

something awful and appalling they do not dream

for a moment. They should be shown that there is

nothing more appalling than unbelief in Jesus

Christ. A good passage for this purpose is John

3:18-19:

 

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he

that believeth not is condemned already, because

he that not believed in the name of the only

begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world, and men loved

darkness rather than light, because their deeds

were evil."

 

When the passage has been read, say, "Now this

verse tells us of some one who is condemned

already; who is it?"  "He that believeth not."

"Believeth not on whom?"  "On Jesus."  "How many

that believe not on Jesus are condemned already?"

"Every one."  "Why is every one that believeth not

on Jesus condemned already?"  "Because he has not

believed on the name of the only begotten Son of

God."  "Why is this such an awful thing in the

sight of God?" "Because light is come into the

world, and men loved darkness rather than light

because their deeds are evil."  "In whom did the

light come into the world?"  "In Jesus."  "Jesus,

then, is the incarnation of light, God's fullest

revelation to man: to reject Jesus, then, is the

deliberate rejection of what?"  "Light."  "The

choice of what?" "Darkness."  "In rejecting Jesus,

what are you rejecting?"  "Light."  "And what are

you choosing?"  "Darkness rather than light."  Ask

all the questions that are necessary to impress

this truth upon the mind of the unbeliever, that

he is deliberately rejecting the light of God, and

choosing darkness rather than light.

 

Another very useful passage for the same purpose

is Acts 2:36-37:  {48}

 

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know

assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,

whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now

when they heard this, they were pricked in their

heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the

apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

 

When the passage is read, say, "Now here were

certain men under deep conviction of sin, crying

out, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' What

was the sin that they committed that produced such

deep conviction?"  "They had crucified Jesus."

"What had God done with Jesus?" "He had made Him

both Lord and Christ." "These men had rejected One

whom God hath made both Lord and Christ. Is that a

serious sin?"  "Yes."  "And are you not guilty of

that very sin today? You are rejecting Jesus, and

this Jesus whom you are rejecting is the very one

whom God hath made both Lord and Christ. Is it not

an awful sin to deliberately reject one whom God

hath thus exalted?"

 

Another good passage to use is John 16:8-9:

 

"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of

sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of

sin, because they believe not on me."

 

When the passage has been read, ask the one with

whom you are dealing, "Of what sin is it that the

Holy Ghost, who knows the mind of God, especially

convicts men?"  "Of the sin of unbelief."  "What,

then, is the crowning sin in God's sight?"

"Unbelief in Jesus CHrist." "Why is unbelief in

Jesus Christ the crowning sin in God's sight?"

Then bring out that it is because it reveals most

clearly the heart's deliberate choice of sin

rather than righteousness, of darkness rather than

light, of hatred to God rather than love to God.

 

In some cases it is well to use Hebrews 10;28-29:

 

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy

under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer

punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought

worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of

God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,

wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and

hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

 

When the passage has been read, ask the inquirer,

"How serious an offense was it in God's sight to

despise Moses' law?" "The one who did it died

without mercy." "Is there any offense more serious

in God's sight than despising the law of Moses?"

"Yes, treading under foot the Son of God."  "Does

not every one who rejects Jesus  {49}  Christ

practically tread under foot the Son of God, and

count the blood of the covenant wherewith He was

sanctified an unholy thing?"  "Yes, I suppose he

does."  "Are you not committing this very sin?"

 

IV. SHOW HIM THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF.

 

For this purpose begin by using Hebrews 11:6, the

first of the verse:

 

"But without faith it is impossible to please

him."

 

"Now this verse tells you that there is one thing

that God absolutely requires if we are to please

Him: what is it?" "Faith."  "And no matter what

else we do, if we have not faith, what is

impossible for us?"  "To please Him."

 

Follow this up by John 8:24:

 

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in

your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye

shall die in your sins."

 

"What does this verse tell us will happen to you

if you do not believe in Jesus?"  "I shall die in

my sins."  Then have the inquirer read verse 21,

 

"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and

ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins:

whither I go, ye cannot come."

 

That will show the result of once dying in his

sins.

 

Further follow this up by 2_Thessalonians 1:7-9:

 

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when

the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with

his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking

vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey

not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall

be punished with everlasting destruction from the

presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his

power."

 

Say to the inquirer, "This verse tells us of a

coming day in which Jesus is to take vengeance

upon a certain class of people, and they are to be

punished with everlasting destruction from the

presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.

Who is it that are to be thus punished?"  "They

that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of

our Lord Jesus Christ."  "Are you obeying the

Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."  "No." "If,

then, Christ should come now  {50} what would be

your destiny?"  "I should be punished with

everlasting destruction from the presence of the

Lord, and the glory of His power."

 

Then turn to Revelation 21:8. This verse needs no

comment, it tells its own story:

 

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the

abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and

sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall

have their part in the lake which burneth with

fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

 

Revelation 20:15 may also be used:

 

"And whosoever was not found written in the book

of life was cast into the lake of fire."

 

V. SHOW HIM THAT ALL ONE HAS TO DO TO BE LOST IS

SIMPLY TO NEGLECT THE SALVATION THAT IS OFFERED IN

CHRIST.

 

A verse which will serve for this purpose is

Hebrews 2:3:

 

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great

salvation; which at the first began to be spoken

by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them

that heard him?"

 

When the verse has been read, ask, "What does this

verse tell us is all that is necessary to be done

in order to be lost?"  "Simply neglect the great

salvation."  "That is the very thing that you are

doing today; you are already lost. God has

provided salvation for you at great cost: all you

need to do to be saved, is to accept the

salvation, but you cannot be saved any other way;

and all you need to do to be lost, is simply to

neglect it. You do not need to plunge into

desperate vices, you do not need to be an open and

avowed infidel, you do not need to refuse even to

accept salvation. If you simply neglect it, you

will be lost forever. Will you not let the

question of the text sink deep into your heart:

'How shall we escape if we neglect so great

salvation?'"

 

Another passage to use for this purpose is Acts

3:22-23:

 

"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet

shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your

brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all

things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it

shall come to pass that every soul, which will not

hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among

the people."  {51}  "This passage tells us about a

Prophet that Moses said the Lord would raise up.

Who was that Prophet?" "Jesus."  "What does God

tell us to do with that Prophet?"  "Hear him 'in

all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.'"

"What shall happen unto him who does not hearken

unto the words of that Prophet?"  "He shall be

destroyed from among the people."  "Are you

hearkening unto the words of that Prophet?"

 

Still another passage to use is Acts 12:38-41:

 

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,

that through this man is preached unto you the

forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe

are justified from all things, from which ye could

not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

"Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which

is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye

despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a

work in your days, a work which ye shall in no

wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."

 

"These verses tell us about Jesus. They tell us of

something that is preached to us through Him. What

is it?" "Forgiveness of sins."  "They tell us what

it is that a man has to do to obtain this

forgiveness of sins; what is it?"  "Believe on

Him."  "What blessing comes to all that believe?"

"They are justified from all things."  "On the

other hand, what comes to us if we neglect to

believe?"  "We shall perish."

 

Still another passage to use for this purpose is

John 3:36:

 

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting

life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not

see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

 

When the passage has been read, ask, "What does

every one who believes on the Son get?"

"Everlasting life."  "But on the other hand, if

one simply neglects to believe what will be the

result?" "He shall not see life, but the wrath of

God abideth upon him."

 

VI. SHOW HIM THE WONDERFUL LOVE OF GOD TO HIM.

 

Oftentimes when every other method of dealing with

the careless fails, a realization of the love of

God breaks the heart, and leads to an acceptance

of Christ. There is no better passage to show the

love of God than John 3:16:

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish, but have everlasting life."

{52}

 

Generally it will need no comment. I was once

dealing with one of the most careless and vile

women I ever met. She moved in good society, but

in her secret life was as vile as a woman of the

street. She told me the story of her life in a

most shameless and unblushing way, half-laughing

as she did it. I made no further reply than to ask

her to read John 3:16 to which I had opened my

Bible. Before she had read the passage through,

she burst into tears, her heart broken by the love

of God to her.

 

Another excellent passage to use in the same way

is Isaiah 53:5:

 

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was

bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of

our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we

are healed."

 

God used this passage one night to bring to tears

and penitence one of the most stubborn and wayward

young women with whom I ever dealt. I made almost

no comment, simply read the passage to her. The

Spirit of God seemed to hold up before her, her

Savior, wounded for her transgressions, and

bruised for her iniquities. Her stubborn will gave

way, and before many days she was rejoicing in

Christ.

 

Two other passages which can be used in the same

way are Galatians 3:13 and 1_Peter 2:24:

 

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the

law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

 

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on

the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live

unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were

healed."

 

After showing the love of God through the use of

such passages as these mentioned, it is oftentimes

well to clinch this truth by using Romans 2:4-5:

 

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and

forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that

the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart

treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day

of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment

of God."

 

Before having the passage read, say, "We have been

looking at the love of God to you; now let us see

what God tells us is the purpose of that love, and

what will be the result of our despising it." Then

have the passage, Romans 2:4-5 read by the one

with whom  {53}  you are dealing. When he has read

it, ask him what is the purpose of God's goodness.

"To lead to repentance."  "If it does not lead us

to repentance, what does it show us about our

hearts?"  "That they are very hard and

impenitent."  "And if we refuse to let the

goodness of God lead us to repentance, what will

be the result?"  "We treasure up wrath unto

ourselves against the day of wrath and the

revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

 

Of course it will not always be possible to get a

person who has little or no concern about his

salvation to talk with you long enough to go over

all these passages, but not infrequently he will

become so interested after the use of the first or

second passage that he will be glad to go through.

Oftentimes it is not at all necessary to use all

these passages. Not infrequently I find that the

first passage, Matthew 22:37-38, does the desired

work, but it is well to be thorough, and to use

all the passages necessary.

 

Sometimes one will not talk with you for any

length of time at all. In such a case, the best

thing to do is to select a very pointed and

searching passage and give it to him, repeating it

again and again, and then as he goes, say to him

something like this, "I am going to ask God to

burn that passage into your heart"; and then do

not forget to do what you said you were going to

do. Good passages for this purpose are Romans

6:23, Mark 16:16, John 3:36, Isaiah 57:21.

 

When the inquirer has been led by the use of any

or all of these passages to realize his need of a

Savior, and really desires to be saved, of course

he comes under the class treated in the preceding

chapter, and should be dealt with accordingly. It

is not intended that the worker shall follow the

precise method laid down here, which is given

rather by way of suggestion, but the general plan

here outlined has been honored of God to the

salvation of very many. But let us be sure,

whether we use this method or some other, to do

thoroughgoing and lasting work.

 

Of course it is not supposed that the inquirer

will always answer you exactly as stated above. If

he does not, make use of the answers that he does

give, or if necessary ask the same question

another way until he does answer you correctly.

The answers given to the questions are found in

the text, but people have a great habit of not

seeing what is plainly stated in a Scripture text.

Oftentimes  {54}  when they do not answer right,

it is well to ask them to look at the verse again,

and repeat the question, and keep asking questions

until they do give the right answer. Perhaps the

inquirer will try to switch you off on to some

sidetrack. Do not permit him to do this, but hold

right to the matter in hand.

 

{55}

 

@07  CHAPTER SEVEN

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES

 

We will find that a very large number of the

persons whom we try to lead to Christ are really

anxious to be saved, and know how, but are

confronted with difficulties which they deem

important or even insurmountable. Whenever it is

possible, it is well to show such persons their

need of Christ before taking up a specific

difficulty. In this way many of the supposed

difficulties are dissipated. Oftentimes even when

people really are anxious to be saved, there is

not that deep, clear, and intelligent knowledge of

their need of Christ that is desirable. It is

usually a waste of time to take up specific

difficulties until there is this clear and

definite sense of need.

 

I. "I AM TOO GREAT A SINNER."

 

This is a difficulty that is very real, and very

often met, but fortunately it is also one with

which it is very easy to deal. The method of

treatment is as follows:

 

1. GENERAL TREATMENT. There is no better passage

to use to meet this difficulty than 1_Timothy

1:15:

 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all

acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world

TO SAVE SINNERS; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF."

 

This verse so exactly fits the case, that there is

little need for comment. At the close of a Sunday

morning service, I spoke to a man of intelligence

and ability, but who had gone down into the

deepest depth of sin. When asked why he was not a

Christian, he replied, "I am too great a sinner to

be saved."  I turned him at once to 1_Timothy

1:15. No sooner had I read the verse than he

replied,  {56}  "Well, I am the chief of sinners."

"That verse means you, then."  He replied, "It is

a precious promise."  I said, "Will you accept it

not?"  "I will." Then I said, "Let us kneel down

and tell God so." We knelt down and he confessed

to God his sins, and asked God for Christ's sake

to forgive him. When he had finished his prayer, I

asked him if he really had accepted Christ, and he

said that he had. I asked him if he really

believed that he was accepted, and he said he did.

He took the first opportunity afforded him of

confessing Christ, and became an active Christian.

His broken home was restored, and every day he was

found witnessing for his Master.

 

Another useful passage in dealing with this class

is Matthew 9:12-13:

 

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,

They that be whole need not a physician, but they

that are sick. But go ye and learn what that

meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners

to repentance."

 

This shows the inquirer at once that his sin,

instead of being an obstacle in the way of his

coming to Christ, really fits him for coming to

Christ, as He has not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance.

 

I have frequently used Romans 5:6-8:

 

"For when we were yet without strength, in due

time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for

a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for

a good man some would even dare to die. But God

commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we

were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

 

At the close of an evening service in Minneapolis,

a man who had raised his hand for prayer, hurried

away as soon as the benediction was pronounced. I

hastened after him, laid my hand upon his

shoulder, and said, "Did you not hold your hand up

tonight for prayer?" "Yes."  "Why then are you

hurrying away?"  He replied, "You do not know whom

you are talking to."  "I do not care whom I am

talking to, but I know God loves you."  He said,

"I am the meanest thief in Minneapolis."  "Then I

know God loves you"; and I opened my Bible to

Romans 5:6-8 and read the passage through. "Now,"

I said, "if you are the meanest thief in

Minneapolis, {57}  you are a sinner, and this

verse tells us that God loves sinners."  The

Spirit of God carried the message of love home to

his heart, he broke down, and going with me into

another room, he told me the story of his life. He

had been released from confinement that day, and

had started out that night to commit what he said

would have been one of the most daring burglaries

ever committed in Minneapolis. With his two

companions in crime, he was passing a corner where

we were holding an open-air meeting. He stopped a

for moments to hear what was going on, and in

spite of the oaths and protests of his companions,

stayed through the meeting, and went with us into

the mission. It so happened that a few days before

he had dreamed in confinement of his mother, and

the hearing of the Gospel added to this, and the

few words that had been spoken to him personally,

had completed the work. After he had told me his

story, we knelt in prayer. Utterly overcome with

emotion, through falling tears he looked to God

for pardon, and left the room rejoicing in the

assurance that his sins had all been forgiven.

 

It is often well to say to the man who thinks that

he is too great a sinner, "Your sins are great,

greater far than you think, but they are all

settled." In order to show him how they are

settled, and to make it clear that they are

settled, turn to Isaiah 53:6.

 

2. SPECIAL CASES. Among those who regard

themselves as too great sinners to be saved, there

are special cases:

 

(1) THE MAN WHO SAYS, "I AM LOST."

 

If the difficulty is stated in this way, it is

well to use Luke 19:10, as that fits so exactly

the inquirer's statement of the case; for the

verse says:

 

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save

THAT WHICH WAS LOST."

 

I was once speaking to a young man who was the

complete slave of drink and other sins' and urging

him to accept the Savior. He turned to me in a

despairing way and said, "Mr. Torrey, go talk to

those other men, there is no use talking to me, I

am lost." I replied, "If you are lost, I have a

message from God's Word addressed  {58}  directly

to you." I turned to Luke 19:10 and read, "For the

Son of man is come to seek and to save that which

was lost." The text fitted the case so exactly,

that there was no need of comment or explanation

on my part.

 

(2) MURDERERS.

 

Among those who think that they are too great

sinners to be saved, murderers form an especial

class. I find that not a few who have stained

their hands with the blood of a fellow-man have a

deep-seated impression that there is no hope for a

man who has committed this sin. Isaiah 1:18 is

very useful in such a case. One night I was

dealing with a man who was sure that he was beyond

all hope. I asked him why he thought so, and he

replied, because he had taken the life of a fellow

man. I said, "Let me read you something from God's

Word," and I read:

 

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the

Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall

be as white as snow; though they be red like

crimson, they shall be as wool."

 

I said, "If you have taken the life of a fellow

man, your sins are as scarlet." "Oh," he cried,

"the bullet was scarlet, I can see it now."  Then

I asked him to listen again to the promise,

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as

white as snow; though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool." He saw how the promise

exactly covered his case, and it brought hope into

a heart that had been filled with despair.

 

Another useful passage is Psalm 51:14:

 

"Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God

of my salvation."

 

In using this passage, I always call the

inquirer's attention to the fact that it is the

prayer of a man who had himself stained his hands

with the blood of a fellow man. Then I tell him

how God heard the prayer, and delivered him from

bloodguiltiness, and then turn to Psalm 32:5

containing the Psalmist's own statement as to how

his sin of bloodguiltiness was forgiven.

 

"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine

iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my

transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest

the iniquity of my sin."  {59}

 

3. GENERAL REMARKS.

 

(1) NEVER GIVE FALSE COMFORT BY TELLING THE

INQUIRER, "YOU ARE NOT A VERY GREAT SINNER."

 

 This mistake is often made. Tenderhearted people

are greatly disturbed over the deep conviction of

sin that the Spirit of God produces in the hearts

of men, and try to give comfort by telling the

inquirer that he is not so great a sinner after

all. This is false comfort. There is no man but

who is a greater sinner than he ever thinks or

realizes.

 

(2) After meeting the specific difficulty, show

the inquirer how to be saved. The method of doing

this is explained in Chapter Five. This remark

applies not only to this difficulty, but to all

the difficulties that follow. It is not enough to

remove difficulties, we must bring inquirers to a

saving knowledge of Christ.

 

II. "MY HEART IS TOO HARD."

 

One of the passages given under the former

difficulty will also be useful here, Luke 19:10.

Before using it, it may be well to say, "Well,

then, if your heart is so hard and wicked, you

must be lost."  "Yes, I am lost."  "Very well, I

have a promise for you."  Turn to Luke 19:10 and

let them read. "You said that your heart was so

hard and wicked that you were lost."  "Yes."  "And

this verse tells us that Jesus Christ is come to

seek and to save whom?"  "The lost." "And that

means you. Will you let Him save you now?"

 

Another useful passage is John 6:37, the last half

of the verse,

 

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast

out."

 

You can say, "You think your heart is so hard and

wicked that you cannot be saved, but would you be

willing to come to Christ if He would accept you?"

"Yes."  "Well, let us listen to what He says."

Then read the passage, "Him that cometh to me I

will in no wise cast out."  "Whom does Jesus say

here that He will receive?"  "Any one who comes."

"Does He say He will receive any one who comes

provided his heart is not too hard and wicked?"

"No."  "What does He say?" "That He will receive

any one who comes."  "Then He will receive any one

who comes no matter how hard and wicked their

heart?"  "Yes."  "Will you come now?"

 

Ezekiel 36:26-27 is helpful in many cases. You can

say to the inquirer, {60}  "Yes, your heart is too

hard and wicked, but let us see what God promises

to do."  Then have him read the passage:

 

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new

spirit will I put within you: and I will take away

the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give

you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit

within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes,

and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

 

"What does God here promise to give?" "A new

heart."  "Are you willing that He should give you

a new heart in place of that hard and wicked heart

that you have?"

 

Another passage which is helpful in much the same

way is 2_Corinthians 5:17:

 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all

things are become new."

 

"Yes," you can say to the one in trouble, "your

heart is too hard and wicked. What you need is to

be made all over new; there is a way to be made

all over, to get a new heart and to be a new man.

Let me show you what that way is." Then let him

read the passage. When he has read it, ask him,

"What does the one who accepts Christ become?"  "A

new creature."  "What becomes of the old things?"

"They are passed away."  "Do you want to be a new

creature, and have old things pass away?"  "Yes."

"What then is all that you have to do?" "Accept

Christ."  "Will you do it?"

 

III. "I MUST BECOME BETTER BEFORE I BECOME A

CHRISTIAN."

 

This is a very real difficulty with many people.

They sincerely believe that they cannot come to

Christ just as they are in their sins, that they

must do something to make themselves better before

they can come to Him. You can show them that they

are utterly mistaken in this by having them read

Matthew 9:12-13:

 

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,

They that be whole need not a physician, but they

that are sick. But go ye and learn what that

meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners

to repentance."

 

When they have read it, if they do not see the

point for themselves, you can ask, "To what does

Jesus compare Himself in this verse?"  "To a

physician."  "Who is it needs a physician, well

people {61}  or sick people?"  "Sick people."

"Ought a person who is sick to wait until he gets

well before he gets the doctor?"  "No, of course

not."  "Ought a person who is spiritually sick to

wait until he is better before he comes to Jesus?"

"No."  "Who is it Jesus invites to come to

Himself, good people or bad people?"  "Bad

people."  "Is then the fact that you are not good

a reason for waiting or a reason for coming to

Jesus at once?"

 

Luke 15:18-24 also fits the case exactly. Show the

inquirer that we have in this story a picture of

God's relation to the sinner, that God wishes us

to understand that He would have the sinner come

in all his rags, and that He will give him a

hearty welcome, a robe, a ring and a feast if he

comes just as he is.

 

Luke 18:10-14 also applies. You can say, "Here are

two men who came to God. One came on the ground

that he was a sinner, the other came on the ground

that he was righteous. Which of the two did God

accept?"  "The one who came on the ground that he

was a sinner." "Well, God would have you come just

the same way."

 

IV. "I CANNOT HOLD OUT," OR "I AM AFRAID I SHALL

FAIL IF I TRY").

 

1. GENERAL TREATMENT. First see if the inquirer is

in dead earnest, and if there is not some other

difficulty lying back of this. Many a man gives

this as a difficulty, when perhaps it is not the

real one.

 

There is perhaps no better verse in the Bible for

this difficulty than Jude 24:

 

"Now unto him that is ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM

FALLING, and to present you faultless before the

presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

 

Its application is so plain as to need no comment.

 

Another useful passage is 1_Peter 1:5:

 

"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith

unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last

time."

 

When the inquirer has read it, ask him by whose

power it is that we are kept. Then you can say,

"It is not then a question of our strength at all,

but of God's strength. Do you think that God is

able to keep you?"  {62}

 

Other passages which are helpful along the same

line are:

 

"For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I

have believed, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE TO

KEEP that which I have committed unto him against

that day."  2_Timothy 1:12.

 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not

dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen

thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold

thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Isaiah 41:10.

 

"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,

saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Isaiah 41:13.

 

A passage which will help by showing the absolute

security of Christ's sheep, is John 10:28-29:

 

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall

never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out

of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is

greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father's hand."

 

In many cases a good passage to use is Hebrews

7:25:

 

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the

uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he

ever liveth to make intercession for them."

 

2. SPECIAL CASES.

 

(1) THOSE AFRAID OF SOME TEMPTATION THAT WILL

PROVE TOO STRONG.

 

The best passage to use in such a case is

1_Corinthians 10;13:

 

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is

common to man; but God is faithful, who will not

suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation also make a way to

escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

 

(2) THOSE WHO DWELL UPON THEIR OWN WEAKNESS.

 

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for

thee; for MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon

me." 2_Corinthians 12:9-10.

 

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that

have no might he increaseth strength. Even the

youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men

shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the

Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not

be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31.

 

One evening a lady called me to a man whom she was

trying to lead to Christ and asked me if I could

help him. I said to him, "What is your

difficulty?" He replied, "I have no strength."

"Ah," I said, "I have a message that exactly fits

your case," and read Isaiah  {63} 40:29, "He

giveth power to the faint, and to them that have

no might he increaseth strength."  "You say you

have no strength, that is, no might; now this

verse tells us that to those who have no might,

that is to people just like you, God increaseth

strength." The Holy Spirit took the word of

comfort home to his heart at once, and he put his

trust in Jesus Christ then and there.

 

V. "I CANNOT GIVE UP MY EVIL WAYS."

 

1. YOU MUST OR PERISH.  In order to prove this

statement, use:

 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of

God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our

Lord." Romans 6:23.

 

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for

whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh

reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Galatians 6:7-8.

 

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the

abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and

sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall

have their part in the lake which burneth with

fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Revelation 21:8.

 

Drive this thought home. Show the inquirer no

quarter, but keep ringing the changes on the

thought, "You must give up your evil ways or

perish." Emphasize it by Scripture. When the

inquirer sees and realizes this, then you can pass

on to the next thought.

 

2. YOU CAN IN THE STRENGTH OF JESUS CHRIST.  To

prove this, have the inquirer read Philippians

4:13 and John 8:36:

 

"I can do all things through Christ which

strengtheneth me."

 

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye

shall be free indeed."

 

3. SHOW THE RISEN CHRIST WITH ALL POWER IN HEAVEN

AND ON EARTH.  It is in the power of the risen

Christ, and through union with Him, that we are

enabled to give up our evil ways, so the one who

has this difficulty should have the fact that

Christ is risen made clear to him. The following

passages will serve well for this purpose.

 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel

which I preached unto you, which also ye have

received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye

are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached

unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I

delivered unto you first of all that which I  {64}

also received, how that Christ died for our sins

according to the Scriptures; and that he was

buried, and that he rose again the third day

according to the Scriptures." 1_Corinthians

15:1-4.

 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All

power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Matthew 28:18.

 

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the

uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he

ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Hebrews 7:25.

 

4. SHOW HOW TO GET VICTORY OVER SIN. There is

perhaps nothing in the Bible that makes the way of

victory over sin more plain and simple than Romans

6:12-14:

 

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,

that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of

unrighteousness unto sin: but YIELD YOURSELVES

UNTO GOD, as those that are alive from the dead,

and your members as instruments of righteousness

unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over

you: for ye are not under the law, but under

grace."

 

You can say to the inquirer, "In this verse we are

told how to get victory over sin: we are told what

not to do, and what to do. What is it we are told

not to do?"  "Not to let sin reign in our mortal

body; not to yield our members as instruments of

unrighteousness unto sin."  "What are we told to

do?"  "To yield ourselves unto God as those that

are alive from the dead; and to yield our members

as instruments of righteousness unto God." "Now do

you believe that through union with the risen

Christ your Savior, you are alive from the dead?

Will you yield or present yourself unto God as one

alive from the dead? Will you now and here present

your members as instruments of righteousness unto

God?" After the inquirer has been led to do this,

show him that whatever we yield to God, God

accepts, and that he can now TRUST God for victory

over sin, and have deliverance from his evil ways.

 

VI. "I HAVE TRIED BEFORE AND FAILED."

 

Those who have tried to be Christians and have

failed in the attempt, very naturally hesitate

about trying again, and such a case needs to be

dealt with, with great care, wisdom and

thoroughness.

 

1. The first thing to do is to say to such a one,

"I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO TRY AND NOT FAIL." Then

point him to 2_Corinthians 9:8:

 

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward

you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all

things, may abound to every good work."  {65} When

the person has read the verse, to be sure that he

gets its meaning you can say, "This verse tells us

that God is able to make all grace abound toward

us, that we, 'always having all sufficiency in all

things, may abound to every good work.' It is

clear then, that there is a way to try and not

fail."

 

2. FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. In finding out

the cause of failure, there are seven points to be

looked into:

 

(1) DID YOU PUT ALL YOUR TRUST FOR PARDON IN THE

FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST?

 

This is a very frequent cause of failure in the

attempt to be a Christian, the person has never

been led to see clearly the ground of his

salvation, and to trust wholly in the finished

work of Christ for pardon. Isaiah 53:6 is a useful

passage at this point:

 

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have

turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath

laid on him the iniquity of us all."

 

(2) DID YOU SURRENDER ABSOLUTELY TO GOD?

 

Many are led to make a profession of faith in

Christ without having been led to absolute

surrender and the Christian life thus begun, is

very likely to prove a failure. The passage to use

at this point is Acts 5:32:

 

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so

is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to

them that obey him."

 

(3) DID YOU CONFESS CHRIST OPENLY BEFORE MEN?

 

This is one of the most frequent causes of

failure. I have talked with very many who have

said that they have tried to be Christians and

failed, and a very large proportion of them I have

found failed at this very point, the lack of a

constant, open confession of Christ. Good passages

to use at this point are Matthew 10;32-33 and

Romans 10;10:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father which is

in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father which is in

heaven."

 

"For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation." {66}

 

(4)  DID YOU STUDY THE WORD OF GOD DAILY?

 

Here is another frequent cause of failure, neglect

of the Bible. Very few of those who have really

begun the Christian life, and who have made a

practice of daily study of the Word, fail in their

attempt to be Christians. Good passages to use at

this point are 1_Peter 2:2 and Psalms 119:11:

 

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the

word, that ye may grow thereby."

 

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might

not sin against thee."

 

(5) DID YOU LOOK EACH DAY TO GOD ALONE, AND NOT TO

SELF AT ALL, FOR STRENGTH AND VICTORY?

 

To emphasize this question, use:

 

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that

have no might he increaseth strength." Isaiah

40:29.

 

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for

thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest

upon me." 2_Corinthians 12:9.

 

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the

elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth

the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

1_Peter 5:5.

 

(6) DID YOU PRAY CONSTANTLY?

 

Use at this point:

 

"Pray without ceasing." 1_Thessalonians 5:17.

 

"He giveth power to the faint; and, to them that

have no might he increaseth strength. Even the

youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men

shall utterly fall: but THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE

LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not

be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31.

 

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of

grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to

help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.

 

(7) DID YOU GO TO WORK FOR CHRIST?

 

Here use Matthew 25:14-29.

 

VII. "THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TOO HARD."

 

1. If a person states this as his difficulty,

first show him that THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT

HARD. In Matthew 11:30 Christ tells us His yoke is

easy: {67}

 

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

 

Proverbs 3:17 shows us that wisdom's ways are ways

of pleasantness,

 

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her

paths are peace."

 

1_John 5:3, that God's commandments are not

grievous:

 

1_Peter 1:8 pictures the Christian life as a life

of joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though

now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with

joy unspeakable and full of glory."

 

In using the latter passage you might say, "We

have a picture of the Christian life in 1_Peter

1:8, let us see if it is a hard life." Have the

inquirer read the verse, and then ask, "What kind

of a life according to this passage, is the

Christian life?"  "A life of joy unspeakable and

full of glory."  "Do you think that is hard?"

 

2. Show him that THE WAY OF SIN AS HARD. Show the

inquirer that it is not the Christian life, but

the life without Christ that is the hard life. For

this purpose use the last half of Proverbs 13:15,

and Isaiah 57:21:

 

"But the way of transgressors is hard."

 

"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

 

VIII. "THERE IS TOO MUCH TO GIVE UP."

 

This is often the difficulty even when not stated.

 

1. First show the inquirer that NO MATTER HOW MUCH

THERE MAY BE TO GIVE UP, IT IS BETTER TO GIVE UP

ANYTHING THAN TO LOSE ONE'S SOUL. For this purpose

use Mark 8:36:

 

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain

the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

 

2. Show the inquirer that THE ONLY THINGS WE HAVE

TO GIVE UP ARE THE THINGS WHICH WILL HARM US. This

is made clear by Psalm 84:11:  {68}  "For the Lord

God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace

and glory; NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD from

them that walk uprightly."

 

When the inquirer has read the verse, ask him,

'What does this verse tell us that God will not

withhold from us?" "Any good thing."  "The things

then that God asks you to give up, are what kind

of things?"  "Evil things."  "Then all God asks

you to give up are the things which are harmful to

you. Do you wish to keep them?"

 

I have found Romans 8:32 very effective, for it

emphasizes the thought that if God loved us enough

to give His Son to die for us on the Cross, He

will freely give us all things:

 

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him

up for us all, how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?"

 

I once had a long conversation with a young woman

who was having a great struggle about accepting

Christ. She was very fond of the world and certain

forms of amusement, which she felt she would have

to give up if she became a Christian. Finally I

said to her, "Do you think God loves you?"  "Yes,

I know He does."  "How much does God love you?"

"Enough to give His Son to die for me," she

replied. "Do you think if God loved you enough to

give His Son to die for you, Me will ask you to

give up anything that is for your good to keep?"

"No, certainly He will not."  "Do you wish to keep

anything not for your good to keep?"  "No."  "Then

do you not think you had better accept Jesus

Christ right here and now?"  "Yes," and she did.

 

Another verse which is useful as showing the

inquirer that the things which he has to give up

are the things which are passing away, is 1_John

2:15-17:

 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are

in the world. If any man love the world, the love

of the Father is not in him. For all that is in

the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of

the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the

Father, but is of the world. And THE WORLD PASSETH

AWAY, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the

will of God abideth for ever."

 

3. Show the inquirer that WHAT WE GIVE UP IS

NOTHING TO WHAT WE GET. For this purpose use

Philippians 3:7-8:

 

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted

loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all

things but loss for the excellency of the

knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have

suffered the loss of all things, and do count them

but dung, that I may win Christ."  {69}  You can

call the inquirer's attention to the fact that it

was Paul who spoke these words, that perhaps no

one ever gave up more for Christ than he did, and

yet he here tells us that what he gave up was to

what he got only as the refuse of the street.

 

IX. "I CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN IN MY BUSINESS,"  (or

"It will hurt my business," or "I will lose my

position.")

 

This is a very real difficulty with many, and must

be met honestly and squarely.

 

1. It is well to bear in mind that even when a man

really thinks this is true, it is not always so.

Many people have an idea that it is impossible to

be a Christian in any line of business except

Christian work. They must be shown that this is a

mistake. When a man makes this excuse, it is often

well to ask him what his business is, and why he

cannot be a Christian in it. Sometimes you will

find that it is a business in which there are many

Christians, and you can tell him that there are

many Christians in the same business.

 

2. But oftentimes it is true that the man with

whom you are dealing is in a business in which it

is impossible to be a Christian. For example, the

man may be a bartender or a theatrical manager or

something of that sort. In that case say to the

man, "You had better lose your business (or

position ) than to lose your soul." To drive this

statement home, use Mark 8:36:

 

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain

the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

 

Do not pass on to the next point until the man

sees this and realizes it. Make the man feel that

he had better lose every dollar that he has in the

world than to lose his soul. When the man sees

{70}  this, and is ready to give up his business

at any cost, you can use Matthew 6:33:

 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his

righteousness; and all these things shall be added

unto you."

 

This verse will show him that if he puts God and

His kingdom first, all needful things will be

supplied to him. It is better to starve than to

reject Christ, but no man who accepts Christ will

be left to starve.

 

Another very useful passage is Mark 10:29-30:

 

"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto

you, There is no man that hath left house, or

brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or

wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the

gospel's but he shall receive an hundred fold now

in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters,

and mothers, and children, and lands, with

persecutions; and in the world to come eternal

life."

 

X. "I WILL LOSE MY FRIENDS."

 

Many a person who contemplates beginning the

Christian life has none but ungodly companions,

and he sees very clearly that if he becomes a

Christian he will lose these friends, the only

ones that he has; so this difficulty is a very

real one.

 

1. First show the inquirer that he is better off

without these friends, for they are enemies of

God. Use for this purpose James 4:4:

 

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that

the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God."

 

Before giving it to the inquirer to read, say,

"Yes, it may be that you will lose your friends,

but if your friends are godless, you are better

off without them. See what God's Word says about

it." Then show him the passage. If this verse does

not prove sufficiently effective, follow it up

with Proverbs 13:20:

 

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but

a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

 

Follow this up with Psalm 1:1-2:

 

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the

counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of

sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

{71}  But his delight is in the law of the Lord;

and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

 

Call the inquirer's attention to the fact that God

has promised an especial blessing to those who

turn their backs upon godless friendships in order

to obey Him.

 

2. Having made this first point clear, you can

say, "You may lose your godless friends, but you

will get better friends," and turn him to 1_John

1:3:

 

"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto

you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and

truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with

his Son Jesus Christ."

 

When they have read it you can say, "If you do

lose your godless friends by coming to Christ,

what two new friends do you get?"  "The Father and

His Son Jesus Christ."  "Which would you rather

have for friends, your godless worldly companions,

or God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ?" All

this may be followed up again by Mark 10:29-30.

 

XI. "I AM AFRAID OF RIDICULE."

 

1. Show the awful peril in being governed by the

fear of man. Use Proverbs 29:25:

 

"The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso

putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."

 

You might explain that this snare which catches

him who is afraid of ridicule and rejects Christ,

often results in the eternal ruin of the soul.

 

Next use Mark 8:28:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of

my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,

of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when

he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy

angels."

 

2. Show that it is a glorious privilege to be

ridiculed for Christ. Use for this purpose Matthew

5:11-12:

 

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and

persecute you, and say all manner of evil against

you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be

exceeding glad; for great is your reward in

heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which

were before you."  {72}

 

XII. "I WILL BE PERSECUTED IF I BECOME A

CHRISTIAN."

 

Never tell any one that he will not be persecuted.

On the contrary say, "Yes, I presume you will be

persecuted, for God tells us in His Word, that all

who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution." To prove it show him 2_Timothy 3:12:

 

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution."

 

But then tell him that it is a great privilege to

be persecuted for Christ's sake, and brings an

abundant reward. Have him read Matthew 5:10-12,

and drive home the thought that we ought to

rejoice at the privilege of being persecuted

rather than to shrink from being a Christian on

that account.

 

Then show him the result of suffering with Christ.

Turn to 2_Timothy 2:12:

 

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we

deny him, he also will deny us."

 

Use Romans 8:18 to show him how shall are the

sufferings of this present time in comparison with

the glory that we shall obtain through them:

 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory

which shall be revealed in us."  (Compare

2_Corinthians 4:17.)

 

Acts 5:40-41 is useful as showing how the early

church regarded persecution, rejoicing in it

rather than shrinking from it:

 

"And to him they agreed: and when they had called

the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that

they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and

let them go. And they departed from the presence

of the council, rejoicing that they were counted

worthy to suffer shame for his name."

 

Another passage which is also useful in such a

case is 1_Peter 2:20-21:

 

"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for

your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if,

when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it

patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even

hereunto were ye called; because Christ also

suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye

should follow his steps."

 

XIII. "I HAVE NO FEELING."

 

This is a very common difficulty. There are many

who wish to come to Christ, but do not think they

can come because they have  {73}  not the proper

feeling. The first thing to do in such a case, is

to find out what feeling the inquirer thinks it is

necessary to have in order to become a Christian.

 

1. "THE JOY AND PEACE THAT CHRISTIANS TELL ABOUT."

The feeling that many inquirers are waiting for is

the joy and peace that Christians speak of. Of

course the thing to do in such a case, is to show

the inquirer that this joy and peace is the result

of coming to Christ, and that we cannot expect the

result before we come. The first passage to use to

show this is Galatians 5:22:

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."

 

This shows that joy and peace are the fruit of the

Spirit, and we cannot expect to have the fruit of

the Spirit until we have received the Spirit, and

we cannot receive the Spirit until we have

accepted Christ. This is brought out very clearly

in Ephesians 1:13:

 

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the

word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in

whom also, AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed

with that Holy Spirit of promise."

 

Emphasize the point that it is AFTER we believe

that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of

promise.

 

Use also Acts 5:32:

 

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so

is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given TO

THEM THAT OBEY HIM."

 

This will show that the Holy Spirit is given to

those who obey Christ, and we cannot expect to

receive the Holy Spirit until we have obeyed God

by putting our trust in Jesus Christ and

confessing Him openly before the world. A verse

which will be useful in this connection as showing

that it is after we confess Christ that He

confesses us before the Father, is Matthew 10:32:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father which is

in heaven."

 

And so we have no right to expect the sealing of

the Holy Spirit until we have confessed Christ

before men.

 

It is after we have believed that we rejoice with

joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1_Peter 1:8:

{74}

 

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though

now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with

joy unspeakable and full of glory."

 

Our duty is believing with the heart and

confessing with the mouth, leaving the matter of

feeling to God; Romans 10:10:

 

"For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation."

 

2. "SORROW FOR SIN."  The feeling that many are

waiting for, is a feeling of sorrow for sin. If

you find this to be the case with any individual

with whom you are dealing, proceed as follows:

 

(1) Use the passages already given to produce

conviction of sin. (See Chapter Six, Section I.)

 

(2) Show that it is not sorrow for sin, but

turning away from sin and accepting Christ that

God demands. For this purpose use the following

passages:

 

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return

unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:7.

 

"But as many as received him, to them gave he

power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name." John 1:12.

 

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts

16:31.

 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be

baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus

Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall

receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."  Acts 2:38.

 

XIV. "I HAVE BEEN SEEKING CHRIST BUT CANNOT FIND

HIM."

 

1. It is well oftentimes to say to one who raises

this difficulty, "I can tell you just when you

will find Christ." This will probably awaken

surprise, but insist, "Yes, I can tell you just

when you will find Christ. If you will turn to

Jeremiah 29:13, you will find the exact time when

you will find Christ." Then let him read:

 

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, WHEN YE SHALL

SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART."

 

"Now this verse tells the time when you will find

Christ, when is it?" "When ye shall search for me

with all your heart."  "The fact is, up to this

time, you have not been seeking for Him with all

your heart. Are you ready to let go of everything

else and seek Him today with all your heart?"

This passage has been used in a  {75}  great many

cases to lead out one who has been seeking Christ

for years, into a real acceptance of Him.

 

2. It is well sometimes to say to one who raises

this difficulty, "Then you are seeking Christ?

Well, did you know that Christ also is seeking

you?" Then turn to Luke 19:10 (or Luke 15:3-10)

and read. "Now you say you are seeking Christ, and

Christ says He is seeking you, how long ought it

to take for you to find one another? Will you just

come to Christ and trust Him here and now?"

 

3. Sometimes the best thing to do is to say,

"Well, if you are earnestly seeking Christ, let me

show you how to find Him." Then deal with the

inquirer in the way described in Chapter Five.

 

XV. "CHRISTIANS ARE SO INCONSISTENT."

 

This is one of the most common difficulties that

we meet. Probably the best passage to use is

Romans 14:12:

 

"So then every one of us shall give account of

himself to God."

 

When a person raises this difficulty, you can say,

"So you are troubled about the sins of Christians;

let me show you from God's own Word what He says

about that." Then have him read the passage. When

he has read the passage, ask, "Who does God say

you will have to give an account of?"  "Myself."

"Not of inconsistent Christians then?"  "No." "Are

you ready to give an account of yourself to God?"

The mere reading of this verse without comment,

has led many who have been dwelling upon the

inconsistency of others, to see themselves lost

and undone before God, and to turn and accept

Christ right there.

 

Another useful passage is Romans 2:1-5. Hand it to

the inquirer and ask him to read it carefully.

When he has read it, ask him if this passage does

not describe him, if he is not judging others for

doing the very things he does himself. Then ask

him what God says about those who judge others for

what they are doing themselves. Ask him further

what God says in the third verse that such a

person will not escape. Ask him what the fourth

verse tells him that he is really doing; and then

ask him what the fifth verse tells him he is

treasuring up for himself.

 

In many cases Matthew 7:1-5 will be found useful.

{76}

 

XVI. "THERE IS SOME ONE I CANNOT FORGIVE."

 

This is often the difficulty even when it is not

stated. I have frequently found that when people

told me they could not accept Christ and did not

know why, the real difficulty was here, there was

some one who had wronged them, or who they thought

had wronged them, and they would not forgive him.

 

1. The first thing to do with such a one is to

say, "YOU MUST FORGIVE OR PERISH." To prove this,

use Matthew 6:15: {@Ed.cmt}

 

"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,

neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

 

Follow this up with Matthew 18:21-35:

 

2. Say to the person, "THE WRONG THEY HAVE DONE

YOU IS NOTHING TO THE WRONG YOU HAVE DONE JESUS

CHRIST."  Here use Ephesians 4:32:

 

"And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted,

forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's

sake hath forgiven you."

 

You might also use Matthew 18:23-35.

 

3. Next show the inquirer that he can forgive the

other in Christ's strength. Use for this purpose

Philippians 4:13 and Galatians 5:22-23:

 

"I can do all things through Christ which

strengtheneth me."

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness, temperance: against such there is no

law."

 

XVII. "A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN HAS DONE ME A GREAT

WRONG."

 

1. First you can reply by saying, "THAT IS NO

REASON WHY YOU SHOULD WRONG CHRIST! HAS HE WRONGED

YOU?" Use Jeremiah 2:5:

 

"Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your

fathers found IN ME, that they are gone far from

me, and have walked after vanity, and are become

vain?"

 

Ask the inquirer if he has found any evil in

Christ, that that is what God is asking Him. One

night I turned to an aged man and asked him if he

was a Christian. He replied no, that he was a

backslider. I asked him why he had backslidden,

and he said Christian people had treated him

badly. I opened my Bible and read Jeremiah 2:5 to

him, and asked him, "Did you find any iniquity in

God; did God not treat you well?" With a good deal

of feeling, the man admitted that God had not

treated him badly. I held him right to this point

of God's treatment of him and not man's, and his

treatment of God. It is well to follow this

passage up with Isaiah 53:5 as bringing out very

vividly just what Christ's treatment of us has

been.

 

2. In the next place you can say to the one who

raises this difficulty, "THE FACT THAT A PROFESSED

CHRISTIAN HAS DONE YOU A GREAT INJURY IS NO REASON

WHY YOU SHOULD DO YOURSELF A GREATER INJURY BY

REFUSING CHRIST AND LOSING ETERNAL LIFE AND BEING

LOST FOREVER."  Then you can say, "Let me show you

what injury you are doing yourself by rejecting

Christ." Use for this purpose John 3:36, and

2_Thessalonians 1:7-9:

 

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting

life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not

see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

 

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when

the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with

his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking

vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey

not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

XVIII. "I HAVE DONE A GREAT WRONG AND WILL HAVE TO

MAKE IT RIGHT AND CANNOT."

 

1. TELL THE INQUIRER TO TAKE CHRIST FIRST, AND

LEAVE THE MATTER OF SETTLING THE WRONG WITH HIM,

that he cannot settle the matter as it ought to be

settled until he has first taken Christ. Make it

very plain that the only thing God requires of a

sinner is to accept Christ, and all other

questions must be left until that point has been

settled. Use John 3:36 for this purpose, and Acts

10:43.

 

2. Show him further that IF THERE IS ANY WRONG TO

BE MADE RIGHT, CHRIST WILL GIVE HIM STRENGTH TO

MAKE IT RIGHT, and use for this purpose

Philippians 4:13.

 

XIX. "I HAVE SINNED AWAY THE DAY OF GRACE."

 

This is a very serious difficulty. It often arises

from a poor state of health and a morbid condition

of mind, but I have never found a case that would

not yield to prayerful and judicious treatment.

The best passage to use, and one that generally

proves sufficient, Is John 6:37, the last clause:

{78}

 

"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast

out."

 

It is oftentimes necessary to read it over and

over and over again, sometimes for days and days.

Hold the inquirer to the one thought that God says

He is ready to receive any one who will come,

urging him to come now.

 

Another useful passage is Romans 10:13:

 

"For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the

Lord shall be saved."

 

Dwell upon the "whosoever."

 

The case of Manasseh as recorded in 2_Chronicles

33:1-13 is useful as showing the extent to which

one can go and yet how God will receive them to

Himself, if they only humble themselves before

him.

 

Luke 23:39-43 is oftentimes useful as showing how

one was saved even the hour of death.

 

XX. "IT IS TOO LATE."

 

This difficulty is very much like the preceding

one, and the same passage, John 6:37, is also

useful in this case. Oftentimes, however,

Deuteronomy 4:30-31 will prove more helpful:

 

"When thou art in tribulation, and all these

things are come upon thee, EVEN IN THE LATTER

DAYS, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt

be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God

is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee,

neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of

thy fathers which he sware unto them."

 

In using the passage, emphasize the thought, "even

in the latter days."

 

Still another passage is 2_Peter 3:9:

 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as

some men count slackness; but is long suffering to

us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but

that all should come to repentance."

 

It shows that God is not willing that any should

perish, and that the reason why He delays His

judgment is that men may be brought to repentance.

 

Luke 23:39-43 is useful as showing that one was

saved even as late as his dying hour, and

Revelation 22:17 tells us that WHOSOEVER WILL may

take of the water of life freely.  {79}

 

XXI. "I HAVE COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN."

 

1. The first thing to do in this case is to SHOW

JUST WHAT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN IS. For this

purpose use Matthew 12:31-32, noting the context.

This passage taken in its context makes it plain

that the unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the

Holy Ghost, and that blasphemy against the Holy

Ghost consists in deliberately attributing to the

devil, the work which is known to have been

wrought by the Holy Spirit. Having shown just what

the unpardonable sin is, ask the inquirer, "Have

you done this? Have you deliberately attributed

the work which you knew to be done by the Holy

Spirit to the devil?" In almost every case, if not

in every case, it will be found that the inquirer

has not done this.

 

2. Having shown what the unpardonable sin is, and

that the inquirer has not committed it, USE JOHN

6:37 as in the preceding case. Even if the

inquirer thinks that he has committed the

blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, use John 6:37.

 

Ask the inquirer what Jesus Christ says about

those who come to Him, and then ask him if he will

come to Christ right now. If he says, "I have

committed the unpardonable sin," reply that it

does not say, "Him that has not committed the

unpardonable sin that comes to me I will in no

wise cast out," but, "Him that cometh to me, I

will in no wise cast out," and put the question

again, "Will you come?" to every new excuse that

arises, simply repeat the promise, "Him that

cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," and

repeat the question, "Will you come?"

 

If he raises some new difficulty as probably he

will, simply say, "Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to

me, I will in no wise cast out,' will you come?"

Repeat and repeat and repeat, over and over again,

until this promise is fairly burned into the heart

praying all the time for the Holy Spirit to carry

it home.

 

A man was once sent to me who was in the depths of

despair. He had attempted suicide some five times.

He felt that he had sinned away the day of grace,

and committed the unpardonable sin, and that the

devil had entered into him as he did into Judas

Iscariot. Day after day I dealt with him, always

using John 6:37. To every excuse and difficulty he

would bring up I would simply say, "Jesus says,

'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast

out." I met him at last one day for a final

conflict. I said to him, "Do you believe what

Jesus says?" He replied, "Yes, I believe

everything in the  {80} Bible."  "Well," I said,

"did not Jesus say, 'Him that cometh to me I will

in no wise cast out'?"  "Yes," he replied. I said,

"Will you come?" He replied, "I have committed the

unpardonable sin." I said, "Jesus did not say, 'If

any man has not committed the unpardonable sin,

and comes to me I will in no wise cast him out';

He said, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise

cast out'; will you come?"

 

He said, "I am possessed of the devil." I replied,

"Jesus did not say, 'If a man is not possessed of

the devil and comes to me I will in no wise cast

him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will

in no wise cast out.'; will you come?"

 

He said, "The devil has actually entered into me."

I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If the devil has

not entered into a man and he comes to me I will

in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that

cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; will

you come?"

 

He said, "My heart is too hard to come." I

replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If a man's heart is

not too hard and he comes to me, I will in no wise

cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I

will in no wise cast out'; Will you come?"

 

He said, "I don't feel like coming." I replied,

"Jesus did not say, "If any man feels like coming,

and comes to me, I will in no wise cast him out';

He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise

cast out'; will you come?"

 

He said, "I don't know that I can come in the

right way." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If any

man cometh unto me in the right way, I will in no

wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to

me, I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?"

 

He said, "I do not know that I want to come." I

replied, "Jesus did not say, 'He that wants to

come, and comes to me I will in no wise cast out';

He said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise

cast out'; will you come?"

 

He said, "I don't know that I know how to come." I

replied, "Jesus did not say, 'He that knows how to

come, and comes to me I will in no wise cast out';

He said, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise

cast out'; will you come? Will you get down here

now and come just the best you know how?"

Hesitatingly the man knelt down. I asked him to

follow me in prayer. I prayed about as follows:

"Lord Jesus, thou hast said 'Him that cometh to

me, I will in no wise cast out'; now the best I

know how, I just come." The man repeated the words

after me. I said, "What has Jesus done? Never mind

what you feel, but what does Jesus say He has

done? 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise

cast out.' What has Jesus done, what does He say

He has done?" He replied, "He has received me." I

said, "Are you willing to stand there on the naked

Word of God?" He replied, "I am." "Now," I said,

"you are going to your room. I have no doubt that

the devil will give you an awful fight, but will

you stand right there on the word of Jesus, 'Him

that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'?"

He replied, "I will." He went to his room. The

devil did come and assail him, and try to get him

to look at his own heart, his own feelings, and

his doubts, but he kept looking to the promise of

Jesus, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise

cast out"; he believed that naked promise, he came

out of his struggle a victor. This was eight or

nine years ago. Today he is one of the most useful

men in America.

 

XXII. HEBREWS 6:4-6.

 

"For it is impossible for those who were once

enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,

and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and

have tasted the good word of God, and the powers

of the world to come, IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY TO

RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; seeing they

crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and

put him to an open shame."

 

Very many men and women are in deep distress of

soul over this passage. They fear that it

describes them, and that there is no hope of their

salvation. The way to deal with such a person is

to explain to him the exact meaning of the

passage.

 

1. Show him first of all, that it is addressed to

Hebrew Christians who were in danger of

APOSTATIZING, RENOUNCING CHRIST and going back to

Judaism. Then ask him if this describes his case.

Of course he will say that it does not.

Furthermore show him that it does not describe a

person who has merely fallen in sin, but one who

has FALLEN AWAY, that is apostatized, and

deliberately renounced Christ. Ask him if this

describes his case. In most cases, of course, it

will be found that it does not.

 

2. In the next place show him that the difficulty

is not that God is not willing to receive such a

one back, but that it is impossible "to renew them

again unto repentance." That is, that their hearts

are utterly hardened, and they have no desire to

come to Christ. Then show him that this does not

describe his case, the  {82}  very fact of his

being in anxiety and burden of heart proving that

it does not.

 

3. Sometimes all of this fails, if so, simply go

over the fourth verse, and ask him if that has

really been his experience, if he has actually

been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost.

 

4. Show him by the case of Peter that one who has

been a follower of Christ may fall into deep sin,

and yet be restored and become more useful than

ever. Use for this purpose, Luke 22:31,34; Mark

14:66-72, John 21:15-19.

 

5. Finally use John 6:37, as described above.

 

XXIII. HEBREWS 10:26-27.

 

"For IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE

RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE

REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, but a

certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery

indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

 

Many are troubled by this passage just as others

are troubled by Hebrews 6:4-6. I have met many in

deepest anguish because they thought that this

described their experience. The way to deal with

such a one is to show him exactly the meaning of

the verse. Explain to him that the word

"willfully" means deliberately, and of stubborn

choice. It is the same word that is translated

"willingly" in 1_Peter 5:2. It does not describe a

man who in weakness falls into sin, but a man who,

with his whole heart, rejects obedience to God and

the service of Christ, and throws himself with all

his soul into sin. Ask him if this describes his

case. Finally use John 6:37.

 

XXIV. "GOD SEEMS TO ME UNJUST AND CRUEL."

 

1. The shortest way of dealing with many who say

this, is to take them at once to Romans 9:20:

 

"Nay but, O man, WHO ART THOU THAT REPLIEST

AGAINST GOD? Shall the thing formed say to him

that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?"

 

Apply the verse directly to the inquirer's case.

Ask him if he realizes who God is, and who he

himself is, and say, "You are replying against

God. You are accusing God of sin. Now this is

God's message to you, 'Nay but, O man, who art

thou that repliest against God?'" This verse has

been used of the Holy Spirit to break down  {83}

in repentance and tears many a man who has

complained against God.

 

This may be followed up by Romans 11:33:

 

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and

knowledge of God! HOW UNSEARCHABLE are his

judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

 

Show the inquirer that the reason God seems to him

to be unjust and cruel is because such is the

depth of the riches both of the wisdom and

knowledge of God, and so unsearchable are His

judgments, that he cannot find them out.

 

This can be followed up still further by Isaiah

55:8-9:

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither

are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the

heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways

higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your

thoughts."

 

Another excellent passage to use is Job 40:2:

 

"Shall he that CONTENDETH WITH THE ALMIGHTY

instruct him? HE THAT REPROVETH GOD, let him

answer it."

 

When the complainer has read the verse, ask him if

he wishes to contend with the Almighty. Show him

further that he is reproving God, and God says he

must answer for it; ask him if he is ready to

answer for it.

 

2. IF THE INQUIRER IS COMPLAINING OF GOD'S CRUELTY

BECAUSE OF SOME SORROW OR ANGUISH IN HIS OWN LIFE,

it is well to use Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-12:

 

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which

speaketh unto you as unto children, My son,

despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor

faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the

Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

 

"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as

with sons; for what son is he whom the father

chasteneth not?"

 

"For they verily for a few days chastened us after

their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we

might be partakers of his holiness.

 

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be

joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it

yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto

them which are exercised thereby.

 

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and

the feeble knees."

 

One should deal very tenderly with a case like

this, yet at the same time faithfully. Show the

inquirer that the sorrows and disappointments

{84}  and afflictions that he has suffered are

God's loving dealings with him, to bring him into

a life of holiness and higher joy, that God does

not willingly afflict.

 

One can follow the above passage with Isaiah 63:9:

 

"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the

angel of his presence saved them; in his love and

in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them,

and carried them all the days of old."

 

In order to lead the sorrow-stricken soul to see

that the sufferings of this present time are not

worthy to be compared with the glory which shall

be revealed in us, use Romans 8:18:

 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory

which shall be revealed in us."

 

Another useful passage is 2_Corinthians 4:17-18:

 

"For our light affliction, which is BUT FOR A

MOMENT, worketh for us a far more exceeding and

eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the

things which are seen, but at the things which are

not seen: for the things which are seen are

temporal; but the things which are not seen are

eternal."

 

3. Sometimes it is well to say in such a case,

"You would not think that God was unjust and cruel

if you only realized the depth of your own sin

against Him," and use Matthew 22:37-38 to show him

the greatness of his sin, in the way described in

Chapter Six.  No man  {85}  after he has been led

by the Word of God and His Spirit to see himself

as God sees him, will any longer have any

difficulty with God's way of salvation, but will

be only too glad to find that a sin-bearer has

been provided for him.

 

XXVI. "THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN THE BIBLE THAT

I CANNOT UNDERSTAND."

 

1. The first step in such a case is to show the

objector why he cannot understand. A good passage

to use for this purpose is 1_Corinthians 2:14:

 

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of

the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto

him: neither can he know them, because they are

spiritually discerned."

 

It can be used in this way: when the man has said,

"There are so many things in the Bible that I

cannot understand," reply, "Yes, that is just what

the Bible says." Then show the man the passage,

and say to him, "This verse tells you just why you

cannot understand what is in the Bible, because

'the natural man receiveth not the things of the

Spirit of God: for they are foolishness UNTO HIM,'

and I suppose that many of them appear like

foolishness to you."  "Yes." "This verse tells you

why it is, 'because they are spiritually

discerned.' The truth is, you are spiritually

blind. If you will turn from sin and accept

Christ, you will get spiritual sight, and then

many things which you cannot understand now will

become as plain as day."

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 can also be used:

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither

are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the

heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways

higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your

thoughts."

 

You can say to the one with whom you are dealing,

"This tells why you cannot understand God's truth.

Why is it?"  "Because His thoughts are higher than

my thoughts."

 

Daniel 12:10 is also useful:

 

"Many shall be purified, and made white, and

tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and NONE

OF THE WICKED SHALL UNDERSTAND; but the wise shall

understand."  {86}  Before the man reads it, you

can say to him, "I can show you a passage in the

Bible that tells you just exactly why you cannot

understand, and also how you can understand." When

he has read it, ask him who it is that does not

understand. "The wicked."  "And who shall

understand?"  "The wise."

 

A passage which can also be used to good effect is

2_Peter 3:16-18:

 

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of

these things; in which are some things hard to be

understood, which they that are unlearned and

unstable wrest, as they do also the other

scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye

therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things

before, beware lest ye also, being led away with

the terror of the wicked, fall from your own

steadfastness."

 

1_Corinthians 13:11-12 and Romans 11:33 can also

be used.

 

2. The second step is to show how to understand.

John 7:17 makes this as plain as day:

 

"IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the

doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak

of myself."

 

Follow this up with Psalm 119:18 and James 1:5:

 

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous

things out of thy law."

 

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth

not; and it shall be given him."

 

XXVII. "I CANNOT BELIEVE."

 

We will take up skeptics more at length in Chapter

Eleven. At this point we take up the matter merely

as an honest difficulty that some find in the way

of accepting Christ.

 

1. When one states this as a difficulty, it is

often well to ask him what he cannot believe. A

man once said to Mr. Moody, "I cannot believe."

Mr. Moody said, "Whom can't you believe?" He

replied, "I cannot believe."  "Whom can't you

believe, can't you believe God?"  "Yes," the man

replied, "I can believe God, but I cannot believe

myself." Mr. Moody said, "I don't want you to

believe yourself, I want you to believe God."

Oftentimes the difficulty is with some doctrine

that has nothing directly to do with salvation;

for example, a man will say, "I cannot believe the

account of creation given in the first chapter of

Genesis, and I cannot  {87}  believe the story

about Jonah and the whale." Now of course a man

ought to  believe the Bible account of creation

given in the first chapter of Genesis, and he

ought to believe the story about Jonah, but these

are not questions to discuss with an unsaved man.

When a man states some such difficulty as this,

the best thing to do is to say, "Can you believe

in Jesus Christ?"  "Yes, I can believe in Jesus

Christ."  "But will you believe in him, will you

accept Him as your Savior, your sin-bearer, and

your Lord and Master?" Show the man that it does

not say, believe this doctrine or that doctrine

and thou shalt be saved, or this incident or that

incident in the Bible, but "Believe on the Lord

Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." For this

purpose use Acts 16:31 and John 3:16:

 

"And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only

begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM

should not perish, but have everlasting life."

 

After the man has really believed on Christ and

been saved, and grown somewhat in Christian

knowledge, he will be in a position to take up

secondary questions. Many a well-meaning worker

makes a great mistake in discussing secondary

questions with an unsaved man, when he is in no

position to understand them at all, but should be

held to the vital point of the acceptance of Jesus

Christ as a Savior and Lord and Master.

 

2. In many cases, perhaps in most cases, when one

says, "I cannot believe," the real difficulty that

lies back of their inability to believe, is

unwillingness to forsake sin, and it is well to

say to such a person, "Is your unbelief the real

difficulty, is there not some sin in your life

that you are unwilling to give up?" I was once

called to deal with a man, and was told that he

was a skeptic, and needed help along that line. I

said to him, "Are you a skeptic?" He replied,

"Yes." I asked him what made him a skeptic, and he

said because he could not see where Cain got his

wife. I said to him, "Is that your real

difficulty?"  "Yes." I replied, "Then if I remove

that difficulty, and show you where Cain got his

wife, will you become a Christian?" He said, "Oh,

no, I cannot promise that."  "But," I said, "you

said that was your difficulty, the thing that kept

you from accepting Christ; now if I remove that

difficulty,  {88}  and you are honest, of course

you will accept Christ." The man laughed and saw

that he was cornered. "Now," I said, "let me ask

you a question; is not the real difficulty some

sin in your life?" The man broke down and

confessed that it was, and he told me what the sin

was, and professed to give it up and accept Christ

then and there. When you are convinced that the

real difficulty in the case is sin, a good passage

to use is John 5:44:

 

"How can ye believe, which receive honor one of

another, and seek not the honor that cometh from

God only."

 

Say to the man before he reads it, "Yes, I suppose

you cannot believe, bet Jesus Christ tells us just

why it is that men cannot believe," and then have

him read the passage. Then you can say to him,

"The reason why you cannot believe according to

this verse, is because you are seeking the honor

that comes from man and not the honor that comes

from God alone. Is this not so?" Be courteous, but

do not let the inquirer dodge that point.

 

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return

unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

 

This will show the man that he not only needs to

forsake his way, but his thoughts as well, and

that if he will, and return to the Lord, He will

have mercy upon him and abundantly pardon.

 

3. Finally in dealing with this difficulty, it is

well to show a man how to believe. You can say to

him after you have dealt with him along the lines

already mentioned, "I can show you how to

believe." Then give him John 7:17:

 

"If any man WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the

doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak

of myself."

 

Ask him if he will be willing to do the will of

God, if he will surrender his will to God. Then

show him James 1:5-7:

 

"If any of you lack wisdom, LET HIM ASK OF GOD,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth

not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in

faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is

like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and

tossed. For let not that man think that he shall

receive any thing of the Lord."  {89}

 

Follow this up with John 20:31:

 

"But THESE ARE WRITTEN, that ye might believe that

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that

believing ye might have life through his name."

 

Then give him the Gospel of John to study

prayerfully. We will go into this more at length

in Chapter Eleven.

 

@08  CHAPTER EIGHT

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES

 

I. THE HOPE OF BEING SAVED BY A RIGHTEOUS LIFE.

 

1. This is the most common of false hopes. Even

among those who profess to be Christians, there

are many who are really depending upon their lives

as Christians for their acceptance before God.

Those who are depending upon their righteous lives

for salvation, are readily known by their saying

such things as this: "I am doing the best I can."

"I do more good than evil."  "I am not a great

sinner."  "I have never done anything very bad."

This mistake can be directly met by Gal. 2:16:

 

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works

of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even

we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be

justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the

works of the law: for BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW

SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED."

 

After the passage has been read, you can say to

the one with whom you are dealing, "Now you are

expecting to be justified and accepted before God

by what you are doing, by your own life and

character; but God tells you in this passage, that

'by the works of the law shall no flesh be

justified.'" Follow this up by Romans 3:19-20:

 

"Now we know that what things soever the law

saith, it saith to them who are under the law:

that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world

may become guilty before God. Therefore BY THE

DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED

IN HIS SIGHT: for by the law is the knowledge of

sin."

 

Call attention to the fact that here again we are

told that, "by the deeds of the law there shall no

flesh be justified in his sight," and  {91}

furthermore, that the purpose of the law is to

stop the mouths of men. Then take him to Galatians

3:10:

 

"For AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE

UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, Cursed is

every one that continueth not in all things which

are written in the book of the law to do them."

 

Before he reads it, say to him, "I want you to

read a verse from the Word of God that tells you

just how God regards one who is trying to be saved

by his righteous life, as you are." Then let him

read the passage. When he has read the passage,

ask him where God says that he is, and hold him to

the point until he sees that in depending upon his

good deeds for salvation, he is under the curse.

 

James 2:10 will also be found useful:

 

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet

OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all."

 

Before the man reads the verse you can say, "Well,

if you are going to be saved by your righteous

life, let us see what God requires in order that a

man may be saved on the ground." After he has read

the verse, show him that if he is going to be

saved by the law, he must keep the whole law, for

if he offends in one point he is guilty of all.

 

A verse which is useful in showing the kind of

righteousness that God demands, is Matthew 5:20:

 

"For I say unto you, That except your

righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of

the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case

enter into the kingdom of heaven."

 

This verse shows that no man's righteousness comes

up to God's standard, and if a man wishes to be

saved, he must find some other way of salvation

than by his own deeds. It is sometimes well in

using this passage, to say to the inquirer, "You

do not understand the kind of righteousness God

demands, or you would not talk as you do. Now let

us turn to God's own Word and see what kind of

righteousness it is that God demands."

 

2. There is another way of dealing with this

class, by using such passages as these:

 

"And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify

yourselves before men; but God KNOWETH YOUR

HEARTS: for that which is highly esteemed among

men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke

16:15.  {92}

 

"In the day when GOD SHALL JUDGE THE SECRETS OF

MEN by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

Romans 2:16.

 

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his

countenance, or on the height of his stature;

because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not

as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward

appearance, but THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART."

1_Samuel 16:7.

 

These passages show that God looks at the heart.

Hold the inquirer right to that point. Every man,

when brought face to face with that, must tremble,

for he knows that whatever his outward life may

be, his heart will not stand the scrutiny of God's

all-seeing and holy eye. No matter how

self-righteous a man may appear, we need not be

discouraged, for somewhere in the depths of every

man's heart is the consciousness of sin, and all

we have to do is to work away until we touch that

point. Every man's conscience is on our side.

 

3. Matthew 22:37-38 can also be used with those

who expect to be saved by their righteous lives.

You can say to the man, "If you expect to be saved

by your righteous life, you are greatly deceived,

and certainly entertain a false hope. For so far

from living a righteous life, you have broken the

very first and greatest of God's commandments." Of

course he may not believe this at first, but you

can turn him to the passage mentioned, and show

him what the first and greatest of God's

commandments is, and ask him if he has kept it.

This passage is especially useful if a man says,

"I am doing the best I can," or if he says, "I am

doing more good than evil." you can say to him,

"You are greatly mistaken about that. So far from

doing more good than evil, you have broken the

first and greatest of God's laws," and then show

him the passage.

 

4. A fourth method of dealing with this class is

to use Hebrews 11:6 and John 6:29:

 

"But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently

seek him."

 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS is the

work of God, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH

SENT."

 

These passages show that the one thing which God

demands is faith, that the work of God is to

believe on Him whom He hath sent, and that without

faith it is impossible to please God whatever

{93} else a man may possess. John 16:9 can also be

used to show that unbelief in Christ is the

greatest sin:

 

"Of sin, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME."

 

5. Still another way of dealing with this class is

by the use of John 3:36:

 

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting

life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not

see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

 

This shows that the gift of eternal life depends

solely upon a man's acceptance of Jesus Christ.

That the sin which brings the heaviest punishment

is that of treading under foot the Son of God, can

be shown by Hebrews 10:28-29:

 

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy

under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer

punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought

worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of

God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,

wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and

hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

 

Before using this passage, it is well to say, "You

think you are very good, but do you know that you

are committing the most awful sin in God's sight

which a man can commit?" If he replies, "I do not

think so," then tell him, "Let me show you from

God's Word that you are." Then turn to this

passage and read it with great solemnity and

earnestness.

 

A very useful passage with many a self-righteous

man is Luke 18:10-14. You can say to the man,

"There is a picture in the Bible of a man just

like you, who expected to be accepted before God

on the ground of his righteousness, and who had,

as men go, much righteousness to present to God,

but let us see what God says to him." Then have

him read the passage.

 

It is well to bring all those who expect to be

saved by a righteous life into the presence of

God, for in His holy presence self-righteousness

fades away. (See Isaiah 6:5 and Job 42:5-6.) But

how shall we bring any one into the presence of

God? By opening to them passages that reveal the

holiness of God, and by praying the Holy Spirit to

carry these passages home. It is also well

whenever possible, to get the inquirer to pray.

Many a man who is stoutly maintaining his

excellence before God, has given way when he has

been brought to get down on his knees in God's

very presence.  {94}

 

II. "GOD IS TOO GOOD TO DAMN ANY ONE."

 

This is what another class of those who entertain

false hopes think.

 

1. When any one says this, you can reply, "We know

nothing about God's goodness, except what we learn

from the Bible. If we give up the Bible, we have

no conclusive proof that God is love, and can

therefore build no hopes upon His goodness. But if

we accept the Bible statement that God is love, we

must also accept the Bible representations of the

goodness of God. Let us then go to the Bible and

find out the character of God's goodness." Then

turn the inquirer to Romans 2:4-5:

 

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and

forbearance and long suffering; NOT KNOWING THAT

THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE?

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart

treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day

of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment

of God."

 

When the man has read the verse, you can say to

him, "This verse tells us what the purpose of

God's goodness is; what is it?"  "To lead us to

repentance." "And what does this verse tell us

will be the result if we do not permit the

goodness of God to lead us to repentance, but

trample it under foot and make it an excuse for

sin?" He will find the answer to this question in

verse five, and hold him to it until he sees it,

that if we despise the riches of His goodness,

then we are treasuring up unto ourselves "wrath

against the day of wrath and revelation of the

righteous judgment of God." You can also use John

8:21,24 and John 3:36 to show the man that however

good we may be, if we do not believe in Jesus with

a living faith, we shall die in our sins, and not

go where Jesus is, and that we shall not see life,

but that the wrath of God abideth upon us.

 

2. Still another way to deal with this man is to

show him that it is not so much God who damns men,

as men who damn themselves in spite of God's

goodness, because they will not repent and come to

Christ and accept the life freely offered. For

this purpose use 2_Peter 3:9-11:

 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as

some men count slackness; but is long suffering to

us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but

that all should come to repentance. But the day of

the Lord {95}  will come as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a

great noise, and the elements shall melt with

fervent heat, the earth also and the works that

are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that

all these things shall be dissolved, what manner

of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation

and godliness?"

 

Another good passage to use in this way is John

5:40:

 

"AND YE WILL NOT COME to me, that ye might have

life."

 

Press the thought of this text home, that if any

one does not obtain life, it is because he will

not come to Christ, and that men therefore are

damned in spite of God's goodness if they will not

come to Christ and accept life. In much the same

way one can use Ezekiel 33:11:

 

"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I

have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but

that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn

ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye

die, O house of Israel?"

 

It is sometimes well to say, "You are right in

thinking that God is not willing to damn any one:

furthermore He offers life freely to you, but

there is one difficulty in the way. Let us turn to

John 5:40 and see what the difficulty is." When he

has read it, you can say, "You see now, that the

difficulty is not that God wishes to damn you, but

that you will not come to Christ that you might

have life."

 

3. If these methods do not succeed, 2_Peter

2:4-6,9 may prove effectual:

 

"For if GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED, but

cast them down to hell, and delivered them into

chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment;

and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the

eighth person, a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood upon the world of the

ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and

Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an

overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that

after should live ungodly;

 

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of

temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the

day of judgment to be punished."

 

Before using the passage you can say, "The best

way to judge what God will do is not by

speculating about it, but by looking at what He

has done in the past." Then turn to these passages

and let him read. When he has read it, ask him,

"What did God do with the angels that sinned?"

"What did He do with the world of the ungodly in

the days of Noah?"  "What did He do with the

wicked  {96}  in the days of Sodom and Gomorrha?

What then may you expect Him to do with you in

spite of any theories that you may have about His

character and actions." This should all be done

not in a controversial way, but with great

earnestness, tenderness and solemnity. You can say

still further, "God has not left us to speculate

as to what He will do with the persistently

impenitent, He has told us plainly in Matthew

25:41,46":

 

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left

hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting

fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

"And these shall go away into everlasting

punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

 

You may say still further that God does bear long

with man, but His dealings with man in the past

show that at last His day of waiting will end, and

in spite of man's doubt of His word, and doubt of

his severity in dealing with the persistently

impenitent, He does at last punish. You might use

2_Chronicles 36:11-21 as an illustrative case in

point.

 

4. It is well sometimes to add to all the other

passages, John 3:18-19:

 

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he

that believeth not is condemned ALREADY, because

he hath not believed in the name of the only

begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world, and men loved

darkness rather than light, because their deeds

were evil."

 

Before having the inquirer read the verses, you

can say, "You say God is too good to damn any one,

but the truth is that you are condemned already.

It is not a question of what is going to happen to

you in the future, but a question of your present

position before God." When he has read the

passage, ask him, "When is it that the one who

believeth not is condemned?"  "Already." "Why is

it that he is condemned?" "Because light is come

into  the world, and he loves darkness rather than

light."

 

5. Luke 13:3 is very effective in some cases, for

it shows how the "good" God deals with persons who

persist in sin. The passage can be used in this

way: "You say God is too good to damn any one, but

let us see what God Himself says in His Word."

Then turn to the passage and read, "Except ye

repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Repeat the

passage over and over again until it has  {97}

been driven home.

 

An earnest missionary in the western part of New

York was once holding meetings in a country

village. The Universalist minister of the place

was very anxious to engage the missionary in a

controversy, but the missionary always said that

he was too busy for controversy. One day the

Universalist minister came into the house where

the missionary was calling; he was delighted to

see him, for he thought that his opportunity for a

discussion had come at last. He began the

customary universalist argument about God being

too good to damn any one. After he had gone

through the usual volume of words, the missionary

simply replied, "I am too busy for argument, but I

just want to say to you, that except you repent,

you shall likewise perish." The Universalist was

somewhat angry, but replied sneeringly, "That is

not argument, it is simply a quotation from the

Bible," and then ran on with another stream of

words. When he had finished his second speech, the

missionary simply replied, "I have no time for

argument, but I just want to say to you, except

you repent, you shall likewise perish." Again the

Universalist sneered and poured forth another

torrent of what he called argument. Whet he had

finished this time the missionary again said, "I

have no time for controversy, I simply want to say

to you that except you repent, you shall likewise

perish. Now I must go, but let me say, you will

not be able to forget what I have said." The

Universalist preacher laughed, and said he guessed

he would forget it quick enough, that the

missionary had used no argument whatever, but had

simply quoted the Bible. The following day there

was a knock at the missionary's door, and when it

was opened, the Universalist preacher came in. The

missionary said, "I have no time for argument."

"Oh, sir!" said the other, "I have not come to

argue with you. You were right yesterday when you

told me there was one thing I would not be able to

forget; I feel that it is true, that except I

repent I must perish, and I have come to ask you

what I must do to be saved." The missionary showed

the man the way of life, and the result was, the

Universalist became a real believer in Christ, and

a preacher of the truth he had previously labored

to pull down.

 

III. "I AM TRYING TO BE A CHRISTIAN."

 

The third class of those who entertain false

hopes, are those who say, "I am trying to be a

Christian."  {98}

 

1. Show the inquirer that it is trusting and not

trying that saves. For this purpose use Isaiah

12:2:

 

"Behold, God is my salvation; I WILL TRUST, and

not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength

and my song; he also is become my salvation."

 

When he has read it, ask him what it is the

prophet says, "I will try?"  "No, I will trust."

Another verse which can also be used to show that

it is not trying to be a Christian, but believing

on Christ that saves, is Acts 16:31:

 

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

 

John 1:12 is very useful. Before using it, you can

say, "What God asks of you is not to try to be a

Christian, or to try to live a better life, or to

try to do anything but simply to receive Jesus

Christ who did it all." Then have the passage read

and say to the inquirer, "Will you now stop your

trying, and simply receive Jesus as a Savior?"

Make it very clear what this means and hold the

inquirer to this point.

 

2. Another way of dealing with this class is to

show the inquirer that it is NOT TRYING what we

can do, BUT TRUSTING what Jesus has done that

saves from guilt. Use for this purpose Romans

3:23-26:

 

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory

of God; being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood, to declare his

righteousness for the remission of sins that are

past, through the forbearance of God; to declare,

I say, at this time his righteousness: that he

might be just and THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM WHICH

BELIEVETH IN JESUS."

 

When the inquirer has read the passage, ask him if

this teaches us that we are justified by trying to

do something. "No."  "Then how are we justified?"

Hold him to it until he says, "Freely by His

grace, through the redemption that is in Christ

Jesus," and sees that it is on the simple

condition of faith. Another very effective passage

to use in the same way is Romans 4:3-5:

 

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed

God, and it was counted unto him for

righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the

reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But TO

HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH on him that

justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for

righteousness."  {99}

 

This makes it clear as day that it is not our

trying, but our believing on Him that justifies

us. Acts 10:43 and 13:38 can be used in a similar

way.

 

3. It is also well to show the inquirer that it is

not our trying in our own strength, but our

trusting in Christ's strength that saves from the

power of sin. To make this clear, use the

following passages:

 

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from

falling, and to present you faultless before the

presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude

24.

 

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the

world: and this is the victory that overcometh the

world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh

the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the

Son of God?" 1_John 5:4-5.

 

"For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I

have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to

keep that which I have committed unto him against

that day." 2_Timothy 1:12.

 

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith

unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last

time." 1_Peter 1:5.

 

IV. "I FEEL SAVED", OR "I FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO

HEAVEN"

 

There are very many in this class, very many who

think that their entrance into heaven is sure

because they "feel saved," or feel that they are

going to heaven.

 

1. The first thing to do with this class is to

show them the utter unreliability of our feeling

as a ground of hope. An excellent passage for this

purpose is Jeremiah 17:9:

 

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and

desperately wicked: who can know it?"

 

Follow this up with Proverbs 14:12:

 

"There is a way WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death."

 

After reading the latter passage, you can say to

the inquirer, "The way you are going seems to be

right, it seems to you as if it would lead to

heaven, but what does this passage tell us about a

way that seemeth to be right unto a man?"  "The

end thereof are the ways of death." Then drive the

thought home that it will not do to rest our hope

upon anything less sure than the Word of God. Luke

18:9-14 may be used in this way. You can say, "We

are told in the  {100}  Bible about a man who felt

saved, and felt sure of going to heaven, let us

read about him." Then let him read the story of

the Pharisee, and show how he was not saved for

all his self- confidence. Isaiah 55:8 can also be

used to enforce the thought that God's thoughts

are not our thoughts, and while we may think we

are saved, God may clearly see that we are not.

 

2. Having shown how little confidence is to be put

in our feeling, show the true ground of hope,

namely God's Word. Use for this purpose Titus 1:2:

 

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot

lie, promised before the world began."

 

You can say, "Paul had a hope of eternal life.

Upon what was that hope built?" "The Word of God

'that cannot lie.'" Then say to the person, "Do

you want a hope built upon that sure ground?" Take

him then to John 3:36. That verse tells clearly

how to get such a hope.

 

One afternoon I was speaking to a woman who a few

weeks before had lost her only child. At the time

of the child's death she had been especially

interested, but her serious impressions had

largely left her. After a time I put to her the

question, "Do you not wish to go where your little

one has gone?" She replied, "I expect to."  "What

makes you think that you will," I asked. She

answered, "I feel so: I feel that I will go to

heaven when I die." I then asked her if there was

anything she could point to in the Word of God

which gave her a reason for believing that she was

going to heaven when she died. She replied that

there was not. She then turned to me and began to

question me: "Do you expect to go to heaven when

you die?"  "Yes, I know I shall."  "How do you

know it? Have you any word from God for it?"

"Yes," I answered, and turned to John 3:36. She

was then led to see the difference between a faith

that depended upon her feeling, and a faith that

depended upon the Word of God.

 

V. THE HOPE OF BEING SAVED BY A MERE PROFESSION OF

RELIGION, OR BY A FAITH THAT DOES NOT SAVE FROM

SIN AND LEAD TO REPENTANCE.

 

In many communities it is very common to meet men

and women who believe they are saved because they

hold to an orthodox creed, or because they have

been baptized or made a profession  {101}  of

religion. This is one of the most dangerous of all

false hopes, but it can be readily dealt with.

 

1. A good passage to begin with is Titus 1:16:

 

"They profess that they know God; but in works

they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient,

and unto every good work reprobate."

 

You can say to the person, "You profess to know

God, but God Himself tells us that many who

profess to know Him are lost; let me show it to

you in His Word." When they have read the verse,

you can say, "Now if one professes to know God,

but denies Him in his life, what does God Himself

say that such a one is?"  "Abominable and

disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Another passage which can be used in very much the

same way is Matthew 7:21-23.

 

"NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME LORD, LORD,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he

that doeth the will of my Father which is in

heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in

thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name

done many wonderful works? And then will I profess

unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye

that work iniquity."

 

You might say, "God tells us plainly in His Word

that one may make a profession of religion, may be

active even in Christian work, and yet be lost

after all." Then have him read the verses. When

they are read, you can say, "According to these

verses, will a mere profession of religion save

any one?" "No, doing the will of the Father which

is in heaven."  "Are you doing His will?"

 

2. A second way of dealing with this class is to

say, "God tells us plainly that in order to be

saved we must be born again." Then show them John

3:3-5:

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily,

I say unto thee, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, he

cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith

unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time into his mother's

womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily,

I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and

of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of

God."

 

When these verses are read, you can say, "Now

these verses make it clear, that in order to enter

the kingdom of God, one must be born again. Now

let us turn to other parts of the Bible and see

what it is to be born again." For this purpose use

the following:  {102}

 

"Whosoever is born of God DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN, for

his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,

because he is born of God." 1_John 3:9.

 

"If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that

EVERY ONE THAT DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS is born of

him." 1_John 2:29.

 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, HE IS A NEW

CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all

things are become new." 2_Corinthians 5:17.

 

3. A third method of dealing with this class is by

saying, "Yes, faith does indeed save, but it is a

certain kind of faith that saves." To show what

the faith that saves is, turn to Galatians 5:6:

 

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth

any thing, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH WHICH

WORKETH BY LOVE."

 

This passage says that it is faith which worketh

by love. Romans 10:9-10 that it is a faith of the

heart:

 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the

Lord Jesus, and shalt believe IN THINE HEART that

God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved. FOR WITH THE HEART man believeth unto

righteousness, and with the mouth confession is

made unto salvation."

 

while James 2:14 tells us that it is faith which

shows itself in works:

 

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man

say he hath faith but have not works? can that

faith save him?" (RV)

 

4. 1_John 5:4-5 is also very useful as showing

that one who really has faith in Jesus as the Son

of God, and is born of God, overcomes the world.

The passage reads as follows:

 

"For whatsoever is born of God OVERCOMETH THE

WORLD; and this is the victory that overcometh the

world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh

the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the

Son of God?"

 

The fact that one is living in sin and not

overcoming the world, but being overcome by it, is

conclusive proof that he really has not faith that

Jesus is the Son of God, and that he has not been

born of God.

 

{103}

 

@09  CHAPTER NINE

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE

 

It is not enough that a man be saved: to be of the

most use to God he must know that he is saved, and

no small part of our work as personal workers will

be to lead into assurance of salvation, men and

women who do not as yet know that they are saved.

There are two classes of those who lack assurance.

 

I. THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE.

 

1. There are many who lack assurance for the

simple reason that they do not know that it is any

one's privilege to know that they have eternal

life. Oftentimes if you ask people if they know

that they are saved, or if they know that their

sins are forgiven, they reply, "Why no, no one

knows that." You can say, "Yes, the Bible says

that all who believe may know it." and then show

them 1_John 5:13:

 

"These things have I written unto you that believe

on the name of the Son of God; THAT YE MAY KNOW

that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe

on the name of the Son of God."

 

It is well to begin with this passage, and not to

leave it until it becomes very clear that it is

every believer's privilege to know that he has

everlasting life. Follow this up with John 1:12:

 

"But as many as received him, to them gave he

power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name."

 

This verse shows that Christ gives to as many as

receive Him, power to become the sons of God. A

good way to use this verse is to ask the inquirer

questions regarding it. "What does every one who

receives Him receive power to become?" "A son of

God."  {104}  "Are you sure that every one who

receives Jesus obtains power to become a son of

God?" "Yes."  "What makes you sure."  "God says so

here."  "Have you received Jesus?"  "Yes."  "What

then have you received power to become?" Just hold

the inquirer to the point that it is not what he

feels he has power to become, but what God here in

His Word says he has power to become. It will

usually be necessary to go through it again and

again and again.

 

John 3:36 can be used in a similar way. "He that

believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." Ask

the inquirer, "Who does this verse say has

everlasting life?"  "He that believeth on the

Son." "How many that believe on the Son have

everlasting life?"  "Why, every one." "Are you

sure of that?"  "Yes." "Why?" "Because God says so

here."  "What is it God says?"  "He that believeth

on the Son hath everlasting life."  "Does God

merely say that he that believeth on the Son

'shall have' everlasting life?" "No, He says he

'hath' it."  "Do you believe on the Son?"  "I do."

"What then does God say you have?" In a little

while he will see it and say, "Everlasting life."

Then have him say it over and over again, "I have

everlasting life, I have everlasting life." Have

him stand by it because God says so, and then have

him kneel down and thank God for giving him

everlasting life. Do not let the inquirer go while

he continues to say, "I hope I have everlasting

life." Insist upon his resting absolutely upon

what God says.

 

One night I found a young man upon his knees in

great distress at the close of an evening service.

I showed him from the Bible how Jesus Christ had

borne his sins, and asked him if he would accept

Christ as his Savior. He said he would, and seemed

to do it; but he seemed to get no light, and went

out of the meeting in deep distress still. The

next night he was there again, professing to

accept Christ, but with no assurance that his sins

were forgiven. I tried to show him from John 2:36

what God said of those who believed on the Son,

but the light did not come. Finally he rose to

leave the room. As he turned to leave me he said,

"Will you pray for me?" I said, "Yes." He walked a

few steps down the aisle and I called after him,

"Do you believe I will pray for you?" He turned

toward me with a look of astonishment, and said,

"Yes, of course." I said, "Why do you think I will

pray for you?" "Because you said so." I said, "Is

not God's Word as good as mine?" He saw it at

once, that while he was willing to believe my

word, he was not willing to believe  {105}  God's

Word. He received assurance on the spot and knew

that he had everlasting life.

 

Another verse which can be used to advantage with

this class is John 5:24:

 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth

my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath

everlasting life, and shall not come into

condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

 

This verse has been used of God to bring many into

assurance of salvation. 1_John 5:12 is also very

plain:

 

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath

not the Son of God hath not life."

 

Acts 13:39 has been greatly used of God in dealing

with this class. "By him all that believe are

justified from all things," etc. Ask the inquirer,

"What does this verse say that all who believe

are?"  "Justified."  "Justified from what?"  "From

all things."  "Do you believe?"  "I do." What are

you then?" It will probably be necessary to go

over it several times before the inquirer answers,

"I am justified"; but when he does, tell him to

thank God for justifying him, and to confess

Christ before the world. See to it that  he does

it.

 

I was dealing one night with a young woman who was

in great distress of soul because she could not

see that she had forgiveness of sin. I went

carefully over the ground to find if she really

had accepted Christ, and it appeared clear that

she had. Then I had her read Acts 13:39, "By him

all that believe are justified from all things."

"Now," I said, "Who does God say in this verse are

justified from all things?"  "All that believe."

"Believe on whom?" "Believe on Christ."  "Do you

believe on Christ?"  "I do."  "Have you really

accepted Him as your Savior and Lord and Master?"

"Yes."  "Then you are sure you believe on Him?"

"Yes."  "And what does this verse say that all who

believe are?"  "Justified."  "What then are you?"

She would not say, "I am justified," but wept over

the thought that her sins were not forgiven. I

went over it again and again and again. At last

the simple meaning of the words seemed to dawn

upon her darkened mind. I asked her as before,

"Who does God say are justified?"  "All that

believe." "From what are they justified?"  "From

all things."  "Who is justified from all things?"

"All that believe."  "Who says so?"  "God says

so."  "Do you believe?" "I do."  "What are you

then?"  A joyous light spread over  {106}  her

countenance, and she said, "Why, I am justified

from all things," and immediately she turned

toward her friend standing near and said to me,

"Now won't you speak to my friend about Christ?"

 

2. Many inquirers of this class stumble over the

fact that they have not the witness of the Holy

Spirit. Show them that the witness of the Word to

their acceptance is sufficient from 1_John 5:10:

 

"He that  believeth on the Son of God hath the

witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath

made him a liar; BECAUSE HE BELIEVETH NOT THE

RECORD THAT GOD GAVE of his Son."

 

This verse tells us that if we believe not the

witness of God, in His Word, we make Him a liar. I

was once dealing with a very intelligent young man

along this line. He professed that he had accepted

Jesus Christ, but that he did not know that he had

eternal life. I showed him God's testimony that

"he that hath the Son hath life." (1_John 5:12.)

"Now," I said, "You have the Son."  "Yes."  "And

God says that he that hath the Son hath what?"

"Life." Then I read the tenth verse, "He that

believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he

believeth not the record that God gave of His

Son."  "Now," I said, "God's record concerning His

Son is that eternal life is in Him," (Verse 11),

and that "he that hath the Son hath life," (verse

12). Now this is God's record. If you do not

believe it, no matter what your feelings are, what

are you doing?" In a little while the man replied,

"I am making God a liar, but I never saw it

before." Then and there he trusted the naked Word

of God, and went out with the knowledge that his

sins were forgiven, and that God had given him

eternal life.

 

Also show those who are waiting for the witness of

the Holy Spirit, that it is after we believe the

testimony of the Word that we are sealed with the

Holy Spirit of promise, using Ephesians 1:13 for

this purpose:

 

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the

word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in

whom also AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed

with that holy Spirit of promise."

 

The natural order in assurance is this: First,

assurance of our justification, resting upon the

naked Word of God (such passages as Acts 13:39);

second, public confession of Christ with the mouth

(Romans 10:10); and third, the witness of the Holy

Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8;16). The trouble

with many is that they wish to invert this  {107}

order, and have the witness of the Holy Spirit

before they confess Christ with the mouth.

 

It is very important in using these texts to make

clear what saving faith is, because many say that

they believe, when they do not in the sense of

these texts, and so get a false assurance, and

entertain false hopes, and never get deliverance.

There is a good deal of careless dealing with

those who lack assurance. Workers are so anxious

to have inquirers come out clearly that they urge

them on to assurance when they have no right to

assurance because they have not really accepted

Christ. It is better for a man not to have

assurance that he is saved, than for a man to have

assurance that he is saved when in reality he is

not.  John 1:12, 2_Timothy 1:12 and Romans 10:10

make it very clear what the character of saving

faith is.

 

II. THOSE WHO LACK ASSURANCE BECAUSE OF SIN.

 

Oftentimes the trouble with those who lack

assurance is, that there is some sin or

questionable practice in their lives which they

ought to confess and give up. When this is the

case, it will not do to deal with the inquirer

along the lines mentioned above. Take him rather

to such passages as John 8:12:

 

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am

the light of the world: he that followeth me shall

not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of

life."

 

When the man has read the passage you can tell him

that Jesus' promise was that if we follow Him we

shall have the light of life. Say to him, "You

have not the light of life, so the probability is

that you are not following Him. Are you following

Him?" Push the inquirer along this line to find if

there is not some point in which he is untrue to

Christ, or to the leading of the Holy Spirit. One

night in an after-meeting, I was passing around

here and there asking different ones about their

Christian experience. A gentleman and his wife,

friends from another church, had come down to the

meeting. I noticed the gentleman looked at his

wife as much as to say, "Speak to her." In a

little while I came around to her, and asked her

how she was getting on in her Christian life. She

replied that she was all in the dark. I simply

quoted John 8:12 and passed on, but the arrow went

home. She and her husband stayed after {108}

every one else had gone, and I had a private

conversation with her. I asked her if she was

rebelling against the will of God at any place.

She confessed that she was, that her husband had

received a great anointing of the Holy Spirit and

she had not, and what was more, she was afraid her

husband would go into Christian work and she did

not want him to, and so she had gotten utterly in

the dark. After some conversation and prayer, she

surrendered wholly to the will of God, and the

next morning received a wonderful baptism with the

Holy Spirit.

 

Isaiah 55:7 is a good passage to use with those

who lack assurance because of sin. Proverbs 28:13

and Psalm 32:1-5 are good passages to use with

those who have some unconfessed sin that is

keeping them out of the enjoyment of fellowship

with God. These passages show that when sin is

forsaken and confessed we receive pardon and light

and assurance.

 

Oftentimes it is well when one lacks assurance,

first, to put the question clearly to him, "Do you

know of any sin which you are cherishing, or

anything in your life which your conscience

troubles you about?"

 

{109}

 

@10  CHAPTER TEN

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH BACKSLIDERS

 

One of the largest classes found in the inquiry

room, and in all personal work in our day, are

those who are, or call themselves, backsliders.

They are not all alike by any means, and they

ought not all to have the same treatment. There

are two classes of backsliders:

 

I. CARELESS BACKSLIDERS, THOSE WHO HAVE NO GREAT

DESIRE TO COME BACK TO THE SAVIOR.

 

1. There is perhaps no  better passage to use with

such than Jeremiah 2:5:

 

"Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your

fathers found in me, that they are gone far from

me, and have walked after vanity, and are become

vain?"

 

Drive God's question contained in the text right

home to their hearts, "What iniquity have you

found in the Lord?" Dwell upon God's wonderful

love to them, and show them the base ingratitude

and folly of forsaking such a Savior and friend.

Very likely they have wandered away because of the

unkind treatment of some professed Christian, or

of some minister, but hold them right to the point

of how the Lord treated them, and how they are now

treating Him. Use also Jeremiah 2:13:

 

"For my people have committed two evils; they have

forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and

hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can

hold no water."

 

Have the inquirer read the verse, and ask, "Is not

that verse true? What does the Lord say that you

forsook when you forsook Him?"  "The fountain of

living waters."  "And to what does He say you

turned?"  "Broken cisterns that can hold no

water."  "Is not that  {110}  true in your

experience? Did you not forsake the fountain of

living waters, and have you not found the world

broken cisterns that can hold no water?" I have

yet to find the first backslider of whom this is

not true and I have used it with many. Then

illustrate the text by showing how foolish it

would be to turn from a fountain of living water

to broken cisterns or muddy pools. If this verse

does not accomplish the desired result, use

Jeremiah 2:19:

 

"Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy

backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore

and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that

thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my

fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts."

 

When they have read it, ask them if they have not

found in it an "evil thing and bitter" that they

have forsaken the Lord their God. It is well

sometimes to go over the misfortunes and troubles

that have come since they forsook the Lord, for it

is a fact as every experienced worker knows, that

when a man who had had a real knowledge of Christ

backslides, misfortune after misfortune is likely

to overtake him. Proverbs 14:14, the first half of

the verse, is also a good passage to use:

 

"The backslider in heart shall be filled with his

own ways."

 

1_Kings 11:9 can also be used:

 

"And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his

heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel,

which had appeared unto him twice."

 

One of the best passages to show the folly and

evil results of backsliding is Luke 15:13-17. Go

into detail in bringing out the point of the

picture here given of the miseries that came to

the backslider in the far country.

 

2. It is well sometimes to use Amos 4:11-12:

 

"I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew

Sodom and Gomorrha, and ye were as a firebrand

plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not

returned unto me, saith the Lord. Therefore thus

will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will

do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O

Israel."

 

Before the passage is read you can say, "There is

a passage in the Old Testament that contains a

message from God to backsliding Israel, and I

believe it is a message for you also. Then have

him read the passage carefully and after he has

read it, ask him what the message of God to

backsliding Israel was. "Prepare to meet  {111}

thy God." Then say to him, "It is God's message to

you too, as a backslider tonight, to 'prepare to

meet thy God.'" Go over this again and again until

the thought rings in the heart of the man.

 

II. BACKSLIDERS WHO ARE SICK OF THEIR WANDERING

AND SIN, AND DESIRE TO COME BACK TO THE LORD.

 

These are a very different class from those just

mentioned, though of course they are related. They

are perhaps as easy a class to deal with as we

ever find. There are many who once had a knowledge

of the Lord who have wandered into sin, and who

are now sick and tired of sin, and are longing to

come back, but think that there is no acceptance

for them. Point them to Jeremiah 3:12-13,22:

 

"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and

say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the

Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon

you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will

not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge thine

iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the

Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the

strangers under every green tree, and ye have not

obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.

 

"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal

your backslidings. Behold we come unto thee; for

thou art the Lord our God."

 

This will show them how ready the Lord is to

receive them back, and that all He asks of them is

that they acknowledge their sin and return to Him.

 

Hosea 14:1-4 is full of tender invitation to

penitent backsliders, and also shows the way back

to God.

 

"O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou

hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you

words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take

away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so

will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur

shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses:

neither will we say any more to the work of our

hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless

findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I

will love them freely: for mine anger is turned

away from him."

 

I use this passage more frequently than almost any

other with the class of whom we are speaking,

especially the first and fourth verses. I show

them first of all that God is inviting the

backslider to Himself, and second that He promises

to heal their backsliding and love them freely,

and third, that all that He asks is that they take

words of confession and return to Him (verse 2).

The following verses all set forth God's unfailing

love for the backslider, and His willingness to

receive him back:  {112}

 

"But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but

thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

 

"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money,

neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy

sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with

thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine

iniquities. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy

transgressions for mine own sake, and will not

remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:22,24-25.

 

"He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned

him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor

say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? Remember

these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my

servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant:

O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I

have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy

transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: RETURN

UNTO ME; FOR I HAVE REDEEMED THEE." Isaiah

44:20-22.

 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,

saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of

evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye

call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me,

and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me,

and find me, when ye shall search for me with all

your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

 

"And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's

hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor

hear, nor eat, nor smell." Deuteronomy 4:28.

 

"(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will

not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget

the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto

them." Deuteronomy 4:31.

 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall

humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and

turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from

heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal

their land." 2_Chronicles 7;14.

 

One of the most useful verses in dealing with an

intelligent backslider who wishes to return to the

Lord is 1_John 2:1-2:

 

"My little children, these things write I unto

you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have

an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the

righteous, and he is the propitiation of our sins:

and not for ours only, but also for the sins of

the whole world."

 

Often it is helpful to give illustrations of great

backsliders who returned to the Lord, and how

lovingly He received them. For this purpose you

can use Mark 16:7:

 

"But go your way, tell his disciples AND PETER

that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall

ye see him, as he said unto you."

 

This tells of Christ's loving message to Peter

after he had so grievously sinned, and

deliberately denied his Master. 2_Chronicles 15:4

{113}  and 33:1-9, 12-13 give illustrations of

great backsliders who returned to the Lord, and

how lovingly He received them.

 

Luke 15:11-21 is perhaps the most useful passage

of all in dealing with a backslider who wishes to

return, for it has both the steps which the

backslider must take, and also a picture of the

loving reception from God that awaits him.

 

When a backslider returns to Christ, he should

always be given instructions as to how to live so

as not to backslide again. These instructions will

be found in Chapter Five, Section II.

 

{114}

 

@11  CHAPTER ELEVEN

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH PROFESSED SKEPTICS AND INFIDELS

 

There are various classes of skeptics, and it is

not wise to use the same methods in dealing with

all.

 

I. SKEPTICS WHO ARE MERE TRIFLERS.

 

A very lange share of the skeptics of our day

belong to this class. Their professed skepticism

is only an excuse for sin, and a salve for their

own consciences. As a rule it is not wise to spend

much time on an individual of this class, but

rather give him something that will sting his

conscience and arouse him out of his shallowness.

A good passage for this purpose is 1_Corinthians

1:18:

 

"For the preaching of the cross is to THEM THAT

PERISH FOOLISHNESS, but unto us which are saved it

is the power of God,"

 

Very likely the skeptic will say, "The Gospel and

the whole Bible is all foolishness to me." You can

reply by saying, "Yes, that is exactly what God

says."  "But," the man will say, "you don't

understand me, the Gospel and the whole Bible is

foolishness to me." "Yes," you can reply, "that is

exactly what the Bible says." The man's curiosity

will be piqued, and his mind opened by his

curiosity to receive a word of truth, off his

guard. Then have him read 1_Corinthians 1:18. Then

you can say, "You said that the Gospel was

foolishness to you, and God Himself says that 'the

preaching of the cross is to them that perish

foolishness,' and it is foolishness to you because

you are perishing; 'but unto us which are saved it

is the power of God.'"  Oftentimes it will be well

to leave the man without another word of comment.

Be careful not to laugh at him, and not to produce

the impression that you are joking; but leave him

with the thought that he is indeed perishing.

{115}

 

2_Corinthians 4:3-4 can be used in much the same

way. Before the passage is read you can say to the

man, "You are a skeptic because the Gospel is

hidden to you, but God Himself has told us in His

Word to whom the Gospel is hidden, and why it is

hidden to them." Then let him read the passage:

 

"But IF OUR GOSPEL BE HID, IT IS HID TO THEM THAT

ARE LOST: in whom the god of this world hath

blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest

the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is

the image of God, should shine unto them."

 

When he has read it, you can say, "That verse

explains to you the secret of your difficulty. The

Gospel is hidden to you because you are lost, and

the reason it is hidden is because the god of this

world has blinded your mind, lest the light of the

glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of

God, should shine upon you." I have also found

1_Corinthians 2:14 useful:

 

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of

the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto

him: neither can he know them, because they are

spiritually discerned."

 

I have used it to show the man that it was no more

than was to be expected that the things of the

Spirit of God would be foolishness unto him,

because they were spiritually discerned. I was

dealing one night with a very bright student. He

could hardly be called altogether a trifler, for

he was a young man of a good deal of intellectual

earnestness. He said to me, "This is all

foolishness to me." I replied by saying, "That is

exactly what the Bible says." He looked very much

astonished, and protested that I did not

understand him, that he had said it was all

foolishness to him. "Yes," I replied, "that is

what the Bible says. Let me show it to you." I

opened my Bible to the passage and let him read.

When he had read it, I said, "That explains why it

is foolishness to you; 'the natural man cannot

receive the things of the Spirit of God for they

are foolishness unto him.'"  "Why," he said, "I

never thought of that before." The Spirit of God

carried it home to his heart, and the man was led

to an honest acceptance of Christ.

 

2_Thessalonians 1:7-9 can be used with good

results with a trifling skeptic or agnostic. If

the man says in an uppish way, "I am an agnostic,"

you can say, "Well, God has told us a good deal

about agnostics and their destiny; let us see what

He has said." Then have him read this passage:

{116}

 

"And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when

the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with

his mighty angels, in flaming fire TAKING

VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, and that obey

not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall

be punished with everlasting destruction from the

presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his

power."

 

When it is read you can say, "Now an agnostic is

one that knows not God; and this verse tells us

exactly what is the destiny of an agnostic and all

those who know not God. This is God's own

declaration of their destiny." Then have him read

it again if he will, and if he will not, quote it

to him. He may laugh at you, and if he does, the

Word of God often sinks deeply into the heart,

even when it is treated with a sneer.

 

Mark 16:16 has been found very useful in dealing

with trifling skeptics; when a man says to you

that he is a skeptic or an infidel, it is well

sometimes to say to him, "God has said some very

plain words about infidels." Then give to him the

passage:

 

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned."

 

and say, "I simply want to leave that message of

God with you," and pass on. John 3:36 can be used

in a similar way.

 

Sometimes it is well to say to the trifling

skeptic, "I can tell you the origin of your

skepticism, but I can do better, I can tell you

what God says of the origin of your skepticism."

Then show him John 8:47:

 

He that is of God heareth God's words: ye

therefore hear them not, BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF

GOD."

 

2_Thessalonians 2:10-12 can be used in extreme

cases:

 

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in

them that perish, BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE

LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved. And

for this cause God shall send them strong

delusion, that they should believe a lie: THAT

THEY ALL MIGHT BE DAMNED WHO BELIEVED NOT THE

TRUTH, BUT HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."

 

You can say to the man, "There is a very

interesting passage in the Bible regarding

skeptics. It tells what is the origin of their

skepticism and what is the outcome of it." Then

have him read the passage. When he has read it

say, "Now what does this passage say about the

origin of skepticism?" Show him it is "because

they received not the love of the truth, that they

might be saved." "What is the result of their

refusal to receive the truth?"  "God shall give

{117}  them over to strong delusion that they

shall believe a lie."  "And what is the outcome of

it all?"  "That they all might be damned who

believed not in the truth, but had pleasure in

unrighteousness."

 

Psalm 14:1 is useful in some cases, though it

needs to be used with discretion and kindness.

Before giving it to the man to read, you can say,

"I do not wish to say anything unkind to you, but

God Himself has said a very plain word about those

who say there is no God; let me show it to you."

Then let him read:

 

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no

God."

 

When he has read it, say, "I am not saying that,

but God has said it. Now it is a matter between

you and God, but I would advise you not to forget

what God has said." Of course this applies

especially to one who is skeptical about, or

denies the existence of God.

 

In dealing with a skeptic who is a trifler, and in

fact with all skeptics, don't argue, don't get

angry, be very gentle but very solemn, and very

much in prayer, depending upon the Holy Spirit to

give you words to say and to carry them home.

 

II. AN EARNEST-MINDED SKEPTIC.

 

Many skeptics are ton triflers. There are very

many men and women in our day who are really very

desirous of knowing the truth, but who are in an

utter maze of skepticism. There is no more

interesting class of people to deal with than

this. In beginning work with them, it is well to

ask them the following preliminary questions:

 

1. "WHAT CAN'T YOU BELIEVE?" Get as full an answer

as possible to this question, for many a man

thinks he is a skeptic when really he does believe

the great fundamental truths. Furthermore, in

finding out what a man does believe, no matter how

little it is, you have a starting point to lead

the man out to further faith.

 

2. "WHY CAN'T YOU BELIEVE?" This will oftentimes

show the man how utterly without foundation are

his grounds for unbelief.

 

3. "DO YOU LIVE UP TO WHAT YOU DO BELIEVE?" This

will give you an opportunity in many  cases to

show a man that his trouble is not so much what he

does not believe, as his failure to live up to

what he does believe. Only the other night I was

dealing with a man {118}  who told me that his

trouble was that he could not believe, but we had

not gotten far in the conversation when it became

clear to us that his trouble was not so much that

he could not believe, but that he did not live up

to what he did believe.

 

4. "WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?" A few important lines

along which to carry out this inquiry are, "Do you

believe that there is an absolute difference

between right and wrong?"  "Do you believe that

there is a God?"  "Do you believe in prayer?"  "Do

you believe any part of the Bible, if so what

part?"

 

Having asked the man these preliminary questions,

proceed at once to show him how to believe. I have

found no passage in the Bible equal to John 7:17

in dealing with an honest skeptic:

 

"If any man WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the

doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak

of myself."

 

It shows the way out of skepticism to faith, and

has been used of God to the salvation of countless

skeptics and infidels. You can say to the skeptic,

"Now Jesus Christ makes a fair proposition. He

does not ask you to believe without evidence, bet

He asks you to do a thing that your own conscience

approves, and promises that if you do it, you will

come out of skepticism into knowledge. What Jesus

asks in this verse, is that you will to do God's

will; that is, that you surrender your will to

God. Will you do it?" When this point has been

settled, next say to him, "Will you make an honest

search to find out what the will of God is, that

you may do it?" When this point has been settled,

ask the man, "Do you believe that God answers

prayer?" Very likely the skeptic will reply that

he does not. You can say to him, "Well, I know

that He does, but of course I don't expect you to

accept my opinion, but here is a possible clue to

knowledge. Now the method of modern science is to

follow out any possible clue to see what there is

in it. You have given me a promise to make an

honest search to find the will of God, and here is

a possible clue, and if your promise was honest,

you will follow it. Will you pray this prayer? 'O

God, show me whether Jesus is thy Son or not; and

if you show me that He is, I promise to accept Him

as my Savior and confess Him as such before the

world.'" It is well to have him make his promise

definite by putting it down in black and white.

After this is done, show him still another step.

Take him to John 20:31:  {119}

 

"But these are written, that ye might believe that

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that

believing ye might have life through his name."

 

Here we are told that the Gospel of John was

written that we might believe that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God. Tell him, "Now this Gospel

is given for this purpose, to show that Jesus is

the Christ the Son of God. Will you take this

Gospel and read it, honestly and carefully?" Very

likely he will say, "I have read it often before."

You can say, "I want you to read it in a new way.

Will you read it this way? Read a few verses at a

time, and each time before you read, will you ask

God to give you light on the passage that you are

about to read, and promise that if He does, you

will follow as much as you see to be true. Now

when you have read the Gospel through, come back

to me and tell me the result." I would again

carefully go over all the points as to what he was

to do. It would be well also to ask him to

especially notice the following verses in the

Gospel:

1:32-34; 3:2-3;

3:16,18,19; 3:32,34,36;

4:10,14,23,34,52-53;

5:8-9, 22-24, 28-29, 40,44;

6:8-14,19,27,29,35,40,66-68;

7:17, 37-39, 45-46;

8:12,18,21,24,31-32,34,36,38,42,47;

9:17,24-25,35-39;

10:9,11,27-30;

11:25-26,43-45;

12:26,32,35-36,42-43,46,48-50;

13:3,13;  14:3,6,9,15-16,21,24,27;

15:5,7,9-11,18-19,23-26;

16:3,7-11,13-14,24;

17:3,5,12,14,22,24-26;

18:37; 19:6,7-8;

20:8,13-19,24,25,27-29,31;

21:24.

This method of treatment if it is honestly

followed by the skeptic will never fail.

 

     {Etext format slightly changed from printed

book. Clarify to the person that the number before

the colon is the chapter, and the numbers after

the colon are verses in the chapter. --ccp}

 

If the skeptic does not believe even in the

existence of God, you will have to begin one step

further back. Ask him if he believes there is AN

ABSOLUTE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG. If he

says that he does not, which will be very rarely

the case, it is just as well to tell him then and

there that he is a mere trifler. If he says that

he does, ask him if he will take his stand upon

the right and follow it wherever it carries him.

He will very likely try to put you off by saying,

"What is right?" You can say to him that you do

not ask him to take your conception of right, but

will he take his stand upon the right and follow

it wherever it carries him, and make an honest

attempt to find out what the right is. Next say to

him. "You do not know whether there is a God and

whether He  {120}  answers prayer or not. I know

that there is a God and that He answers prayer;

but I do not ask you to accept my opinion, but

here is a possible clue to knowledge; will you

follow it?" If he refuses, of course you will know

at once that he is not an honest skeptic, and you

can tell him so. If he is willing to try this clue

have him offer this prayer, "O God, if there is

any God, show me whether Jesus Christ is Thy Son

or not, and if You show me that He is, I promise

to accept Him as my Savior and confess Him as such

before the world," then have him proceed by

reading the Gospel of John, etc., as in the former

case. If the man is not an honest skeptic, this

course of treatment will reveal the fact, and you

can tell him that the difficulty is not with his

skepticism, but with his rebellious and wicked

heart. If a man says he does not know whether

there is an absolute difference between right and

wrong, you can set it down at once that he is bad,

and turn to him and say frankly but kindly, "My

friend, there is something wrong in your life. No

man who is living a right life will doubt that

there is an absolute difference between right and

wrong. You probably know what the wrong is, and

the trouble is not with your skepticism but with

your sin."

 

A man who was a thorough-going agnostic once came

to me and stated his difficulties. The man had had

a very remarkable experience. He had dabbled in

Unitarianism, Spiritualism, Buddhism, Theosophy,

and pretty much every other is extant. He was in a

state of absolute agnosticism. He neither affirmed

nor denied the existence of God. He told me that I

could not help him, for his case was "very

peculiar," as indeed it was, but I had John 7:17

to build my hope upon, and the man seemed honest.

I asked him if he believed there was an absolute

difference between right and wrong, he said that

he did. I asked him if he was willing to take his

stand upon the right and follow it wherever it

carried him. He said that he was. I called out my

stenographer and dictated a pledge somewhat as

follows: "I believe that there is an absolute

difference between right and wrong, and I hereby

take my stand upon the right to follow it wherever

it carries me. I promise to make an honest search

to find if Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and if

I find that He is, I promise to accept Him as my

Savior and confess Him as such before the world."

I handed the pledge to the  {121}  man and asked

him if he was willing to sign it. He read it

carefully and then signed it. I then said to him,

"You don't know there is not a God?"  "No," he

said, "I don't know that there is no God. Any man

is a fool to say that he knows there is not a God.

I neither affirm nor deny." "Well," I said, "I

know there is a God, but that will do you no

good." I said further, "You do not know that God

does not answer prayer."  "No," he said, "I do not

know that God does not answer prayer, but I do not

believe that He does." I said, "I know that He

does, but that will not do you any good, but here

is a possible clue to knowledge. Now you are a

graduate of a British university. You know that

the method of modern science is to follow out a

possible clue to see what there is in it. Will you

follow out this clue? Will you pray this prayer:

'O God, if there is any God, show me whether Jesus

Christ is Thy Son or not, and if You show me that

He is, I promise to accept Him as my Savior and

confess Him as such before the world?" "Yes," he

said, "I am willing to do that, but there is

nothing in it; my case is very peculiar." I then

turned to John 20:31 and read, "These are written,

that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have

life through his name." After reading the verse, I

said, "John wrote this Gospel that 'ye might

believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.'

Will you take this Gospel and read it, not trying

to believe it, but simply with a fair mind,

willing to believe it if it approves itself to you

as true?" He said, "I have read it time and time

again, and could quote a good deal of it." I said,

"I want you to read it in a new way; read a few

verses at a time, ask God for light each time you

read, and promise to act upon so much as you see

to be true." This the man promised to do, but

closed by saying, "There is nothing in it, my case

is very peculiar." I went over again the various

points and bade the man good-bye. A short time

after I met him again. He hurried up to me, and

almost the first words he said were, "There is

something in that." I replied, "I knew that

before."  "Why," he said, "ever since I have done

what I promised you to do, it is just as if I had

been taken up to the Niagara river and was being

carried along." Some weeks after I met the man

again; his doubts had all gone. The teachings of

the men he had formerly listened to with delight,

had become utter foolishness to him. He had put

himself in a way  {122}  to find out the truth of

God, and God had made it known to him, and he had

become a believer in Jesus Christ as God's Son,

and the Bible as God's Word.

 

There is no more interesting class, and no easier

class to deal with, than honest skeptics. Many are

afraid to tackle them, but there is no need of

this. There is a way out of skepticism into faith

laid down in the Bible that is absolutely sure if

any one will take it. As for skeptics who are

triflers, it is not best to spend much time on

them, but simply to give them some searching

passages of Scripture, and to look to the Spirit

of God to carry the Word home.

 

III. SPECIAL CLASSES OF SKEPTICS.

 

1. THOSE WHO DOUBT THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. The

passages given under I. and II. may be used with

this class, and usually it is wise to use them

before the specific passages given under this

head.

 

(1) An excellent passage to use with those who

claim to doubt the existence of God is Romans

1:19-22:

 

"Because that which may be known of God is

manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto

them. For the invisible things of him from the

creation of the world are clearly seen, BEING

UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, even his

eternal power and Godhead; so that they are

without excuse: because that, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD,

THEY GLORIFIED HIM NOT AS GOD, NEITHER WERE

THANKFUL; but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing

themselves to be wise, they became fools."

 

Ask the doubter to read this passage carefully.

When he has done so, you can say to him, "Of

course you never saw God, but this verse tells us

how the invisible things of Him whom we have never

seen can be known, and how is it?" "By the things

that are made."  "What does Paul say we can

understand by the things that are made?"  "His

eternal power and Godhead."  "Is not this true, do

not the facts of nature prove an intelligent

creator?"  It is well sometimes to illustrate by a

watch or something of that sort. Show the inquirer

a watch and ask him if he believes it had an

intelligent maker, and why he thinks so; then ask

him about his eye which shows more marks of

intelligence in its construction than a watch, or

anything man ever made. Having dwelled upon this

argument and made it clear, ask him what God says

those are who do not believe in God as revealed in

His works. Bring out the fact that {123}  God says

they are "without excuse." Then you can say to

him, "The twenty-first verse tells us why men get

in the dark about God." Have him read this verse

also. "According to this verse, why is it that men

get in the dark about God?"  "Because that, when

they knew God, they glorified him not as God,

neither were thankful."  "Is not this true about

you? Was there not a time when you knew God,

believed that there was a God, but did not glorify

Him as God, neither returned thanks to Him? What

does God say is the result of this course?"  "They

became vain in their imaginations, and their

foolish heart was darkened."  "Now is this not

precisely your case? Has not your foolish heart

been darkened by not glorifying God when you knew

Him? Now the twenty-second verse describes such

persons. Exactly what does it say about them?"

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became

fools."

 

In something the same way you can use Psalm

19:1-2:

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the

firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day

uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth

knowledge."

 

"According to this passage, what declares to us

the glory of God?"  "The heavens."  "What shows

His handiwork?" "The firmament." "Do you know

anything about the stars?"  Let the skeptic tell

what he knows about the stars. If he knows

nothing, tell him something about their greatness,

their magnitude, and their wonderful movements,

and then ask him if it does not indicate a

wonderful creator. Endeavor to make him see that

he is not honest in his denial of God.

 

(2) Tell him that there is still one verse you

wish to give him, and that you hope he will bear

in mind that it is not you who says it, but God;

and that it applies to his case exactly. Then have

him read the first half of Psalm 14:1:

 

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no

God."

 

When he has read it, ask him who it is, according

to this verse, who says, "There is no God."  "The

fool."  "Where is it that he says there is no

God?" "In his heart." "Why is it then that the

fool says there is no God, because he cannot

believe in God, or because he does not wish to

believe in God?" You can add that the folly of

saying in one's heart there is no God is seen in

two points, first,  {124}  because there is a God,

and it is folly to say there is not one when there

is; and second, because the doctrine that there is

not a God always brings misery and wretchedness.

Put it right to the man, and ask him if he ever

knew a happy atheist. Before leaving him, you can

tell him that he is losing the greatest blessing

for time and for eternity by doubting the

existence of God. Turn him to Romans 6:23 and show

him that this is so:

 

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is

eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

 

When he has read the verse, say to him, "This

verse tells us that we have our choice between

eternal death, which is the wages that we have

earned by sin, and eternal life, which is the gift

of God, but of course if we do not believe in God,

we cannot look to Him for this gift." You can

further tell him that in his present state of mind

it is impossible for him to do anything that

pleases God, and show him Hebrews 11:6 and have

him read it if he will, and if he will not, read

it to him.

 

2. THOSE WHO DOUBT THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF

GOD. The method of dealing with honest skeptics

described above is as a rule the best method of

dealing with this class, but other plans will be

useful with some.

 

(1) Oftentimes men say, 'I do not believe the

Bible as a whole is the Word of God, but I accept

what Jesus says." If one says this, get him to

take his stand clearly and definitely upon this

statement, that he accepts the authority of Jesus

Christ. Get him to commit himself to this point.

When he has done it, say to him, "Well, if you

accept the authority of Jesus Christ, you must

accept the authority of the whole Old Testament,

for Jesus Christ has set the seal of His authority

to the entire book." This the man will not believe

at first, but turn him to Mark 7:13; show him the

context, thereby proving to him that Jesus here

calls the law of Moses the Word of God. Then say

to him, "If you accept the authority of Jesus, you

must accept the authority of at least the first

five books of the Bible as being the Word of God."

You can follow this up by Matthew 5:18:

 

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth

pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass

from the law till all be fulfilled."  {125}  Here

Jesus sets His authority to the absolute inerrancy

of the Old Testament law. Then turn  him to John

10:35:

 

"If he called them gods unto whom the word of God

came, and THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN."

 

Show him here Jesus quotes a passage from the

Psalms, (Psalm 82:6), and says that the Scripture

cannot be broken, and hereby sets the stamp of His

authority to the absolute inerrancy of the entire

Old Testament Scriptures. Turn him next to Luke

24:27:

 

"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he

expounded unto them in all the scriptures the

things concerning himself."

 

Show him from this passage how Jesus quoted the

entire Old Testament Scriptures, Moses and the

prophets, as being of conclusive authority. Then

go on to the 44th verse, and call his attention to

the fact that Jesus said that "all things must be

fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses,

and in the prophets, and in the Psalms." Remind

him that the Jew divided the Bible, the present

Old Testament Scriptures, into three parts, the

Law, the Prophets and the Psalms, and that Jesus

took up each one of these parts in detail, and set

the stamp of His authority upon the whole.

Therefore hold him to the point that if he accepts

the authority of Christ, he must accept the

authority of the whole Old Testament, and he has

already said that he did accept the authority of

Christ.

 

To prove that Christ set the stamp of His

authority to the New Testament, take him to John

14:26:

 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom

the Father will send in my name, he shall teach

you all things, and bring all things to your

remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

 

Here Jesus plainly declares that not only would

the teaching of the apostles be true, but that it

would contain all the truth, and furthermore, that

their recollection of what He Himself said, would

not be their own recollection, but the

recollection of the Holy Ghost. Follow this up

with John 16:12-13:

 

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye

cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit

of truth, is come, he will guide you into all

truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but

whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and

he will shew you things to come."  {126}  Show him

that Jesus Himself said, "I have many things to

say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit

when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will

guide you into all truth." Therefore, tell him

that Jesus said the apostles would be taught of

the Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit would guide

them INTO ALL THE TRUTH, and that their teaching

would be more complete than His own. "Therefore,

if you accept the authority of Jesus, you must

accept the authority of the entire New Testament."

 

(2) If the objector says that Paul never claimed

that his teachings were the Word of God, turn him

to 1_Thessalonians 2:13:

 

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,

because when ye received THE WORD OF GOD WHICH YE

HEARD OF US, ye received not as the word of men,

BUT AS IT IS IN TRUTH, THE WORD OF GOD, which

effectually worketh also in you that believe."

 

(3) A passage which is useful as describing the

character of Bible inspiration is 2_Peter 1:21:

 

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will

of man: but holy men of God SPAKE AS THEY WERE

MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST."

 

1_Corinthians 2:14 is useful as proving verbal

inspiration (see especially Am.R.V. {i.e., the

American Standard Version: "Now the natural man

receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for

they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know

them, because they are spiritually judged."

(1_Corinthians 2:14 ASV) })

 

(4) Sometimes it is well to say to the doubter,

"The Bible itself explains why it is that you do

not believe the Bible is the Word of God." Then

show him John 8:47. {"He that is of God heareth

the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not,

because ye are not of God." (John 8:47 ASV)}

Follow this up by saying, "That you do not believe

the Bible is God's word does not alter the fact,"

and show him Romans 3:3-4:

 

"For what if some did not believe? shall their

unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God

forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a

liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be

justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome

when thou art judged."

 

You can go further yet and say that God Himself

tells us that there is awful guilt attaching to

the one who will not believe the record that He

has given, and then show him 1_John 5:10:

 

"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the

witness in himself: HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT GOD HATH

MADE HIM A LIAR; because he believeth not the

record that God gave of his Son."

 

Ask him when he has read it, "What does God say

here of the one who does not believe the record

that He has given of His Son?" and make him see

that God says he has made God a liar.  {127}

 

(5) Finally you may use Luke 16:30-31:

 

"And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went

unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he

said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the

prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though

one rose from the dead."

 

Before reading it, say, "Well, God says that the

case of one who will not listen to the Bible is

very desperate. Just read and see what He says

upon this point," and then have him read the

verse.

 

3. THOSE WHO DOUBT THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. It is

very common in our day to have men say that they

believe in God, but they do not believe that Jesus

Christ was the Son of God. The best way, as a

rule, to deal with such is along the line

described in I and II, especially under II; but

sometimes there is a man who has real difficulties

on this point, and it is well to meet him

squarely.

 

(1) In the first place, show such a one that we

find several divine titles applied to Christ, the

same titles being applied to Christ in the New

Testament that are applied to Jehovah in the Old:

Acts 10:36 and 1_Corinthians 2:8, compare Psalm

24:8-10:

 

"The word which God sent unto the children of

Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is

LORD OF ALL)." Acts 10:36.

 

"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for

had they known it, they would not have crucified

THE LORD OF GLORY." 1_Corinthians 2:8.

 

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and

mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your

heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye

everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall

come in. WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY? THE _LORD_ OF

HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY. Selah." Psalm

24:8-10

 

Hebrews 1:8; John 20:28, Romans 9:5, Revelation

1:17, compare Isaiah 44:6:

 

"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is

for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is

the sceptre of thy kingdom." Hebrews 1:8.

 

"And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord

and my God." John 20:28.

 

"Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning

the flesh Christ came, who is over all, GOD

BLESSED FOREVER." Romans 9:5.

 

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto

me, Fear not; I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST."

Revelation 1:17.

 

"_Thus saith the LORD_ the King of Israel, and his

redeemer the LORD of hosts, I AM THE FIRST, AND I

AM THE LAST, and beside me there is no God."

Isaiah 44:6.

 

(2) Show him further that offices are ascribed to

Christ that only God could fill. For this purpose

use Hebrews 1:3,10:   {128}

 

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the

express image of his person, and UPHOLDING ALL

THINGS BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER, when he had by

himself purged our sins, sat down on the right

hand of the Majesty on high."

 

"And thou, Lord, in the beginning hast LAID THE

FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH; and THE HEAVENS ARE THE

WORK OF THINE HANDS."

 

(3) Show him that the Bible expressly declares

that Jesus Christ should be worshiped as God. Use

for this purpose Hebrews 1:6, Philippians 2:10,

John 5:22-23, compare Revelation 5:13:

 

"And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten

into the world, he saith, AND LET ALL THE ANGELS

OF GOD WORSHIP HIM." Hebrews 1:6.

 

"That AT THE NAME OF JESUS every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth, and

things under the earth." Philippians 2:10.

 

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed

all judgment unto the Son: that all men should

honour the Son, EVEN AS THEY HONOUR THE FATHER. He

that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the

Father which hath sent him." John 5:22-23.

 

"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the

earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the

sea, and all that are in them, heard, saying,

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be

unto him that sitteth upon the throne, AND UNTO

THE LAMB for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13.

 

(4) Show him that Jesus claimed the same honor as

His Father, and either He was divine, or the most

blasphemous impostor that ever lived. For this

purpose use John 5:22-23. Drive home the truth

that the one who denies Christ's divinity puts Him

in the place of a blasphemous impostor. Mark

14:61-62:

 

"But he held his peace, and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked him, and said unto

him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the blessed?

And JESUS SAID, I AM; and ye shall see the Son of

man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming

in the clouds of heaven." (cf. vs. 63-64.)

 

(5) In the next place show him that the Bible says

the one who denies the divinity of Christ, no

matter who he may be, is a liar and an antichrist.

For this purpose use 1_John 3:22-23, compared with

1_John 5:1,5:

 

"WHO IS A LIAR BUT HE THAT DENIETH THAT JESUS IS

THE CHRIST? He is antichrist, that denieth the

Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the

same hath not the Father: [but] he that

acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."

 

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is

born of God: and every one that loveth him that

begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."

 

"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that

believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"  {129}

 

1_John 5:10-12 shows that he who does not believe

that Jesus is divine makes God a liar, "because he

believeth not the record that God gave of his

Son."

 

(6) Make it clear to the inquirer that God regards

it as a matter of awful folly and guilt deserving

the worst punishment to reject Christ as the Son

of God. For this purpose use Hebrews 10:28-29:

 

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy

under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer

punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought

worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of

God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,

wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and

hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

 

Follow this up with John 8:24, which shows beyond

a question that one who does not believe in the

divinity of Christ cannot be saved, and John

20:31, which shows that we obtain life through

believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

 

(7) I have found that making clear the fact that

Christ rose from the dead, and that this was God's

seal to His claim to be divine, is very helpful in

dealing with many who have doubts as to His

divinity. I have also found Acts 9:20 very

helpful:

 

"And straightway he preached Christ in the

synagogues, THAT HE IS THE SON OF GOD."

 

I call attention to who it was in this verse that

declared Jesus to be the Son of God, namely Saul

of Tarsus. I then bring out what it was that led

Paul to say this; that is, his actually seeing

Jesus in the glory, and hearing the words that He

spoke to him. Then I make it clear that one of

three things is true: either Saul actually saw

Jesus in the glory, or else he lied about it, or

else he was deceived, being in a heated state of

imagination or something of that kind. Then I show

how he could not have lied about it, for men do

not manufacture a lie for the sake of suffering

for it thirty or thirty-five years.

 

Second, I show that the circumstances were such as

to preclude the possibility of an optical

delusion, or an overheated state of the

imagination, for not only did Paul see the light,

but those who were with him, and those who were

with him also heard the voice speaking, though

they did not hear what the voice said.

Furthermore, there was a second man, Ananias, who

received a commission independently to go to Saul

and lay hands upon him, {130}  and his eyes would

be opened, and Saul's eyes were opened, which of

course could not be the result of imagination. So

Saul of Tarsus must actually have seen Christ in

the glory, and if he did, in the way described, it

settles it beyond question that Jesus is the Son

of God; so the divinity of Christ is not a

theological speculation, but an established fact.

 

4. THOSE WHO DOUBT THE DOCTRINE OF FUTURE

PUNISHMENT, OR THE CONSCIOUS, ENDLESS SUFFERING OF

THE LOST. As a rule it is not wise to discuss this

difficulty with one who is not an out and out

Christian. No one who has not surrendered his will

and his mind to Jesus Christ is in a position to

discuss the details of future punishment, but if

one is skeptical on this point, though a Christian

(in that he has accepted Christ as personal

Savior), it is well to show him the teaching of

God's Word. A great deal is made by those who deny

the conscious, endless suffering of the lost, of

the words "death" and "destruction," which are

said to mean annihilation, or at least

non-conscious existence. Say to such a one, "Let

us see how the Bible defines its own terms."

Revelation 21:8 defines what death means when used

in the Scriptures as the punishment of the wicked:

 

"But the fearful, and unbelieving and the

abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and

sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall

have their part in the lake which burneth with

fire and brimstone: WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH."

 

Revelation 17:8, cf. Revelation 19:20 shows what

"perdition" (some Greek word as translated

elsewhere "destruction") means in the Scriptures:

 

"The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and

shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go

INTO PERDITION; and they that  dwell on the earth

shall wonder, whose names were not written in the

book of life from the foundation of the world,

when they behold the beast that was, and is not,

and yet is." Revelation 17:8.

 

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false

prophet that wrought miracles before him, with

which he deceived them that had received the mark

of the beast, and them that worshiped his image.

These both were cast alive INTO A LAKE OF FIRE

BURNING WITH BRIMSTONE." Revelation 19:20.

 

Revelation 17:8 tells us that the beast was to go

into "perdition," (destruction), Revelation 19:20

tells us just where the beast went, "into a lake

of fire burning with brimstone." This then is

"perdition." But Revelation 20:10 shows us the

beast still there at the end of one thousand

{131} years, AND BEING STILL CONSCIOUSLY

TORMENTED, AND TO BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT

FOREVER AND EVER. This then is what the Bible

means by "perdition" or "destruction," conscious

torment forever and ever in a lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15 shows that those who are

subjected to the terrible retribution here

described are those who are not found written in

the book of life:

 

"And whosoever was not found written in the book

of life was cast into the lake of fire."

 

Matthew 10;28 shows that there is a destruction

for the soul apart from the destruction for the

body:

 

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are

not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him

which is able to destroy both soul and body in

hell."

 

Luke 12:5 shows that AFTER ONE IS KILLED (and is

of course dead), there is still punishment in

hell:

 

"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: fear

him, which AFTER HE HATH KILLED hath power to cast

into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."

 

Luke 16:23-26 shows that the condition of the

wicked dead is one of conscious torment.

 

Mark 14:21 shows that the retribution visited upon

the wicked is of so terrible a character, that it

would be better for him upon whom it is visited if

he had never been born:

 

"The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of

him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is

betrayed! good were it for that man if he had

never been born."

 

2_Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 show that hell is not a

place where the inhabitants cease to exist, but

where they are reserved alive for the purposes of

God:

 

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but

cast them down to hell, and delivered them into

chains of darkness, TO BE RESERVED UNTO JUDGMENT."

{132}

 

"And the angels which kept not their first estate,

but left their own habitation, he HATH RESERVED IN

EVERLASTING CHAINS under darkness unto the

judgment of the great day."

 

Hebrews 10;28-29 shows that while the punishment

for the transgression of the Mosaic law was death,

sorer punishment awaits those who have trodden

under foot the Son of God.

 

Matthew 25:41 shows that the wicked GO to the

place prepared for the devil and his angels, and

share the same endless conscious torment:

 

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left

hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting

fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

 

The character of this place and the duration of

its punishment is very clearly stated in

Revelation 19:20 and 20:10.

 

{133}

 

@12  CHAPTER TWELVE

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO WISH TO PUT OFF A

DECISION UNTIL SOME OTHER TIME

 

Oftentimes when you have swept away every

difficulty, and the way of salvation is made as

clear as day, still the inquirer is not ready to

decide then and there. He wishes to put off a

decision until some future time. There are several

classes of those who wish to put off a decision:

 

I. I WANT TO WAIT.

 

One of the largest classes is composed of those

who say, "I want to wait," or Not tonight," or "I

will think about it," or "I will come tomorrow

night," or some other such thing.

 

Give to such a person Isaiah 55:6:

 

"Seek ye the Lord WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, call ye

upon him while he is near."

 

When the inquirer has read the passage, ask him

when it is that he is to seek the Lord. When he

says, "While he may be found," ask him when that

is. Make it clear that the only time when he can

be absolutely sure of finding the Lord is right

now. Ask him if he can be sure of finding the Lord

tomorrow if he does not seek Him today. Sometimes

it is well to give illustrations from life

concerning those who put off seeking the Lord, and

when the next day came it was too late to find

Him.

 

Proverbs 27:1 is also a good verse to use:

 

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou knowest

not what a day may bring forth."  {134}

 

When the verse has been carefully and

intelligently read (if it is not read carefully

and intelligently at first, ask the one with whom

you are dealing to read it again), ask him what it

is that God says it is unwise to boast one's self

of. "Tomorrow." Ask him why it is unwise to boast

one's self of tomorrow. 'Because thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth." Ask him if he knows

what a single day will bring forth. Suggest to him

some of the things that it may bring forth, and

then ask him if he does not think he had better

take Christ then and there.

 

Proverbs 29:1 has often been used of the Holy

Spirit to bring men to an immediate decision:

 

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck,

shall SUDDENLY be destroyed, and that without

remedy."

 

It is well after the verse has been read to ask

the one with whom you are dealing, "What becomes

of the one who being often reproved hardeneth his

neck?" When he answers, "He shall suddenly be

destroyed," ask him if he is willing to run the

risk. Or you can use Matthew 25:10-12:

 

"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;

and they that were ready went in with him to the

marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came

also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open

to us. But he answered and said, "Verily I say

unto you, I know you not."

 

Ask him who it was that went in to the marriage,

and when he answers, "They that were ready," ask

him if he is ready. Then ask him what happened

afterward to those who were not ready. Ask him who

those who were not ready were. Then put it to him,

"Are you willing to be on the outside?"

 

Another excellent passage to use is Luke 12:19-20:

 

"And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much

goods laid up FOR MANY YEARS; take thine ease,

eat, drink, and be merry. BUT GOD SAID unto him,

Thou fool, THIS NIGHT thy soul shall be required

of thee: then whose shall those things be, which

thou hast provided?"

 

After the verses have been read, ask, "For how

many years did this man think that He had his

goods laid up?"  'Many years."  "But what did God

say to him?" "How many years do you think you have

before you still? But what may God say to you?

When may He say it?"  {135}

 

A passage especially effective in dealing with

those who say, "I am not ready," is Matthew 24:44:

 

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour

as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

 

Another passage which can also be used with good

effect is 1_Kings 18:21:

 

"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said,

How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord

be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him."

 

An excellent way to use this verse is by asking

the person whether he would be willing to wait a

year and not have an opportunity under any

circumstances, no matter what came up, of

accepting Christ. When he answers, "No, I might

die within a year," ask him if he would be willing

to wait a month, a week, a day. Ask him if he

would like God, the Holy Spirit, and all

Christians to leave him alone for a day, and he

not have the opportunity under any circumstances

of accepting Christ. Almost any thoughtful person

will say "No." Then tell him if that is the case,

he had better accept and it has been followed by

many others with great success.

 

Other passages which can be used with this class

are:

 

"Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will

go into such a city, and continue there a year,

and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know

not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your

life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a

little time, and then vanisheth away." James

4:13-14.

 

"Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee

away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot

deliver thee." Job 36:18.

 

Luke 13:24-28.

 

"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and

ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins:

whither I go, ye cannot come." John 8:21.

 

"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is

the light with you. Walk while ye have the light,

lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh

in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." John

12:35.

 

"Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am

I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where

I am, thither ye cannot come." John 7:33-34.

 

II. I MUST GET FIXED IN BUSINESS FIRST, AND THEN I

WILL BECOME A CHRISTIAN."

 

Those who say, "I must get fixed in business

first, and then I will become a Christian."  {136}

 

With such persons use Matthew 6:33:

 

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his

righteousness; and all these things shall be added

unto you."

 

This verse makes it very clear that we must seek

the kingdom of God first, and everything else must

be made secondary.

 

III. I AM WAITING FOR GOD'S TIME.

 

Those who say, "I am waiting for God's time."

 

Quite frequently this is said in all honesty. Many

people have an idea that God has a certain time

for saving people, and we must wait until this

time comes. If any one says this, ask him if he

will accept Christ in God's time if you will show

him just when God's time is. When he says he will,

turn him to 2_Corinthians 6:2:

 

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time

accepted, and in the day of salvation have I

succoured thee: behold, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME,

behold, now is the day of salvation.)"

 

This verse shows him that God's time is now. Or

turn to Hebrews 3:15:

 

"While it is said, TODAY if ye will hear his

voice, harden not your hearts, as in the

provocation."

 

This shows that God's time is today.

 

IV. I AM TOO YOUNG TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

 

Those who say, "I am too young to be a Christian,"

or "I want to wait until I am older."

 

With such a person open your Bible to Ecclesiastes

12:1 and read:

 

"Remember now thy Creator IN THE DAYS OF THY

YOUTH, while the evil days come not, nor the years

draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure

in them."

 

Matthew 19:14 and 18:3 are also good passages to

use, as they show that youth is the best time to

come to Christ, and that all must become as

children, even if they are old, before they can

enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

It is oftentimes wise in dealing with persons who

wish to put off a decision until some time in the

future to use the passages given for dealing with

those who have little or no concern about their

salvation (Chapter Six), until such a deep

impression is made of their need of Christ that

they will not be willing to postpone  {137}

accepting Him. As a rule in dealing with those

under I., it is best to use only one passage, and

drive that home by constant repetition. One night

I was dealing with a man who was quite excited,

but kept saying, "I cannot decide tonight." Over

and over again I quoted Proverbs 29:1. In reply to

every answer he made, I would give this passage. I

must have repeated it a great many times in the

course of the conversation, until the man was made

to feel, not only his need of Christ, but the

danger of delay, and the necessity of a prompt

decision. He tried to get away from the passage,

but I held him to this one point. The passage

remained with him, and it was carried home by the

providence of God, for he came nearly being

destroyed on the street that night; he was

assaulted. He came back to the meeting the next

night with his head all bandaged, and then and

there accepted Christ. The pounding he received

from his assailant would probably have done him

little good if the text of the Scripture had not

been previously pounded into his head.

 

{138}

 

@13  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE DELUDED

 

I. ROMAN CATHOLICS.

 

1. Very few Roman Catholics have assurance of

salvation, indeed very few understand that it is

our privilege to know that we have forgiveness of

sins and eternal life. A good way then to deal

with a Roman Catholic is to ask him if he knows

that his sins are forgiven. Very likely he will

say that he does not, and that no one else knows

it either. Then you can show him that it is the

believer's privilege to know that he has

forgiveness of sins. For this purpose use Acts

13:39, "By him all that believe ARE JUSTIFIED,"

etc. and Ephesians 1:7:

 

"In whom WE HAVE redemption through his blood, THE

FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of

his grace." Ephesians 1:7.

 

In a similar way, you can show him that it is our

privilege to know that we have eternal life. For

this purpose use 1_John 5:13. Oftentimes when he

is brought to see that it is our privilege to know

that we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life,

he will desire to know it too, and will begin to

see that we have something that he does not

possess. There is one point at which we always

have the advantage in dealing with a Roman

Catholic, namely, there are a peace and a power in

CHristianity as we know it, that there is not in

Christianity as he knows it, and he can be made to

appreciate the difference.

 

2. Another good way to deal with a Roman Catholic

is to show him the necessity of the new birth, and

what the new birth is. When the one with whom you

are dealing tells you that he is a Roman Catholic,

it is well to ask him if he has been born again.

Very likely he will say that he does not know what

that means  {139}  (though oftentimes Roman

Catholics do talk about the new birth). Show him

John 3:3-5,7, and emphasize what Jesus says, that

we must be born again. If he asks what the new

birth is, show him the following passages:

 

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all

things are become new." 2_Corinthians 5:17.

 

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and

precious promises: that by these ye might be

PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the

corruption that is in the world through lust."

2_Peter 1:4.

 

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye

shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from

all your idols, will I cleanse you. A NEW HEART

ALSO WILL i GIVE YOU, and a new spirit will I put

within you: and I will take away the stony heart

out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of

flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and

cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall

keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:25-27.

 

Many Roman Catholics understand the new birth to

mean baptism, and oftentimes if you ask a Roman

Catholic if he has been born again, he will say

"Yes," and if you ask him when, he will tell you

at his baptism. It will then be necessary to show

him that baptism is not the new birth. For this

purpose use 1_Corinthians 4:15:

 

"For though ye have ten thousand instructors in

Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in

Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the

gospel."

 

Here Paul tells the believers in Corinth that in

Christ Jesus he had begotten them through the

Gospel. If the new birth meant baptism, he must

have baptized them, but in 1_Corinthians 1;14 he

declares he had not baptized them.

 

Or you can say, "No, baptism is not the new birth,

for I can show you a person who we are told was

baptized, and yet St. Peter told him he had not

been born again." Then turn to Acts 8:13:

 

"Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was

baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered,

beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

 

When you have made it clear that Simon had been

baptized, turn to Peter's statement in the 21st to

the 23rd verses, to show that he had not been born

again. It is well to go a step further and show

the inquirer what the Biblical evidences of the

new birth are. For this purpose use the following

passages:

 

"If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that

every one that doeth righteousness is born of

him." 1_John 2:29.  {140}

 

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for

his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,

because he is born of God. ...

 

"We know that we have passed from death unto life,

because we love the brethren. He that loveth not

his brother abideth in death. ...

 

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his

brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of

compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God

in him?" 1_John 3:9,14,17.

 

If the inquirer is sufficiently interested, he

will now want to know how to be born again. This

question is answered in:

 

"But AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, to them gave he

power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name." John 1:12.

 

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of

incorruptible, BY THE WORD OF GOD, which liveth

and abideth forever." 1_Peter 1:23.

 

"Of his own will begat he us WITH THE WORD OF

TRUTH, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of

his creatures." James 1:18.

 

3. A third way of dealing with a Roman Catholic is

to use Acts 3:19.

 

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your

sins may be blotted out, when the times of

refreshing shall come from the presence of the

Lord."

 

This shows the necessity of repentance and

conversion in order that our sins may be blotted

out. What repentance is will be shown by Isaiah

55:7 and Jonah 3:10:

 

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return

unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

 

"And God saw their works, that they turned from

their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that

he had said that he would do unto them; and he did

it not."

 

In a similar way Acts 16:31 can be used to show

that the way to be saved is by simply believing on

the Lord Jesus Christ; then to show what it is to

believe on the Lord Jesus Christ use John 1:12 and

2_Timothy 1:12.

 

4. Another good text to use in dealing with Roman

Catholics, and one which comes right at the heart

of their difficulties, is 1_Timothy 2:5:

 

"For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN

GOD AND MEN, the man Christ Jesus."  {141}

 

The Roman Catholic, if he is a true Roman

Catholic, is always seeking some mediator besides

Jesus Christ, and this verse declares expressly

that there is but "one mediator between God and

men, the man Christ Jesus," and not the priests or

saints or the Virgin Mary or anyone else.

Sometimes it is well to follow this up with

1_Timothy 4:1-3, but it is not well as a rule to

use this passage until one has made some headway.

 

It is also well to show the advantage of Bible

study, for as a rule the Roman Catholic does not

study the Bible at all, and in many cases is

practically forbidden by the priest to study it.

For this purpose use John 5:39; 1_Peter 2:1-2;

2_Timothy 3:13-17; James 1:21-22; Psalm 1:1-2;

Joshua 1:8; Mark 7:7-8,13; Matthew 22:29. These

texts, except the one in 1_Peter 2:1-2 are all

practically the same in the Douay or Roman

Catholic Bible as they are in the several

Protestant translations.

 

5. Still another way to deal with these people is

to use the same method that you would with any

sinner who does not realize his need of a Savior,

and has no real concern about his salvation (see

Chapters Six and Seven), that is to awaken a sense

that he is a sinner and needs Christ. This as a

rule is the best way if you can get the Roman

Catholic to listen to you.

 

However, many people think there is no use talking

with Roman Catholics, that they cannot be brought

to Christ. This is a great mistake. Many of them

are longing for something they do not find in the

Roman Catholic Church, and if you can show them

from the Word of God how to find it, they come

very easily, and make some of the best Christians.

Always be sure of one thing, do not attack the

Roman Catholic Church. This only awakens their

prejudice and puts them in a bad position to be

helped. Simply give them the truth, and the errors

in time will take care of themselves. Not

infrequently our attacks upon the Roman Catholic

Church only expose our ignorance for oftentimes

they do not believe just what we suppose they do.

It is frequently desirable to use a Roman Catholic

Bible in dealing with a Roman Catholic. Of course

if one is going to do that, he should study up the

texts beforehand in that version. Very many of the

texts are for all practical purposes the same in

the Roman Catholic version of the  {142}  Bible as

our own. One of the chief differences is that they

translate "repent," "do penance."

 

II. JEWS.

 

A great many Jews today are inquiring into the

claims of Jesus the Nazarene, and are open to

approach upon this subject. The best way to deal

with a Jew is to show him that his own Bible

points to Jesus Christ. Among the most useful

passages for this purpose are:

 

Isaiah 53, the entire chapter.

 

"And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah

be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of

the prince that shall come shall destroy the city

and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be

with a flood, and unto the end of the war

desolations are determined." Daniel 9;26.

 

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon

the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace

and of supplications: and they shall look upon me

whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for

him, as one mourneth for his only Son, and shall

be in bitterness for him, as one that is in

bitterness for his firstborn." Zechariah 12:10.

 

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be

little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of

thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be

ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from

of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2.

 

If the Jew objects that these passages are

different in his Hebrew Bible, do not allow

yourself to be put off in this way, for they are

not. He may say that Isaiah 53 does not refer to

the Messiah. In that case ask him to whom it does

refer. If he is a well-posted Jewish

controversialist, very likely he will say, to

suffering Israel. If he does say so, go through

the chapter and show that it cannot refer to

suffering Israel, because the one who suffers is

plainly suffering for the sins of another, Isaiah

53:4-5 and 8, and the other for whom he is

suffering is God's people Israel, so of course the

sufferer cannot himself be Israel.

 

The whole book of Hebrews is excellent to use with

a Jew, especially the ninth and tenth chapters,

and the seventh chapter, the 25th to the 28th

verses.

 

The great difficulty in the way of the Jew coming

out as a Christian, is the terrific persecution

which he must endure if he does. Undoubtedly it

costs a great deal today for a Jew to become a

Christian, but if he brings up this question as he

undoubtedly will, show him the passages already

given under the head of those who are afraid of

persecution, Chapter Seven, Section XII. {143}

 

There are a number of good tracts prepared

especially for Jews which can be had from various

missions to Jews in London, New York. Chicago, and

other large centers of population.

 

III. SPIRITUALISTS.

 

Many people who call themselves Spiritualists

claim to believe in the Bible. Such persons make a

great deal of Samuel's appearing to Saul, 1_Samuel

28:11-20. It is not necessary to deny that Samuel

really appeared to Saul, but to show the one with

whom you are dealing what the result was to Saul

of thus consulting one who had a familiar spirit.

 

A good passage to use in  dealing with all

Spiritualists is 1_Chronicles 10:13-14:

 

"So Saul died for his transgression which he

committed against the Lord, even against the word

of the Lord, which he kept not, and also FOR

ASKING COUNSEL OF ONE THAT HAD A FAMILIAR SPIRIT,

to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord:

therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto

David the son of Jesse."

 

Another excellent passage is Isaiah 8:19-20:

 

"And when they shall say unto you, SEEK UNTO THEM

THAT HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS, and unto wizards that

peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek

unto their God? For the living to the dead? TO THE

LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY: if they speak not

according to this word, it is because THERE IS NO

LIGHT IN THEM."

 

1_John 4:1-3 is also a useful passage, as it

brings out how not all spirits are to be believed.

2_Thessalonians 2:9-12 is also useful. All these

passages can be followed up by:

 

"Regard not them that have familiar spirits,

neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them:

I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:31.

 

"And the soul that turneth after such as have

familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a

whoring after them, I will even set my face

against that soul, and will cut him off from among

his people." Leviticus 20:6.

 

"There shall not be found among you any one that

maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the

fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of

times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer,

OR A CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS, or a wizard,

or a necromancer. For all that do these things are

an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these

abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out

from before thee." Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

 

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to

reign, and reigned fifty and five years in

Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.

{144}  And he did that which was evil in the sight

of the Lord after the abominations of the heathen,

whom the Lord cast out before the children of

Israel. ...

 

"And he made his son pass through the fire, and

observed times, and used enchantments, AND DEALT

WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS AND WIZARDS: he wrought much

wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke

him to anger." 2_Kings 21:1-2,6.

 

These passages all show how God regards consulting

spiritualists and mediums.

 

IV. CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS.

 

Many people in our day are being led astray into

Christian Science, and we need to be ready to help

them. Most Christian Scientists claim to believe

the Bible. Take them to 1_John 4:1-3:

 

"Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the

spirits whether they are of God: because many

false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby

know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that

CONFESSETH THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH

is of God: and EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSETH NOT

THAT JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH IS NOT OF

GOD: and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof

ye have heard that it should come; and even now

already is in the world."

 

This passage strikes at the very foundation of

Christian Science. Christian Science denies as one

of its fundamental postulates, the reality of

matter, and the reality of the body, and of

necessity the reality of the incarnation. Show

them by this passage that the Bible declares that

every spirit that confesses not Jesus Christ COME

IN THE FLESH, is not of God, but is the spirit of

antichrist. Christian Science also denies the

doctrine of substitution. Of course many Christian

Scientists are not aware of this fact, for it is

the common practice in leading one into Christian

Science, not to let him see at once, all that is

involved in it. Therefore take the one with whom

you are dealing to such passages as the following:

 

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew

no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of

God in him." 2_Corinthians 5:21.

 

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the

law, BEING MADE A CURSE FOR US: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

Galatians 3:13.

 

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on

the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live

unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were

healed." 1_Peter 2:24.  {145}

 

"And almost all things are by the law purged with

blood; and WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD is no

remission." Hebrews 9:22.

 

In these passages the doctrine of substitution is

clearly brought out.

 

The average Christian Scientist in defending his

position, makes a great deal of the fact that the

Christian Scientists have physical cures. Of this

there can be no question. Many people are better

physically because of Christian Science treatment,

so it is neither necessary nor wise to deny the

reality of all their cures. Admit the cure, and

then show that the fact that one cures sickness

proves nothing for the truth of the position he

holds, or for his acceptance before God, Use for

this purpose the following passages:

 

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have

we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name

have cast out devils? and in thy name done many

wonderful works? And then will I profess unto

them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that

work iniquity." Matthew 7:22-23.

 

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the

Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy with the brightness of his

coming: even him, whose coming is AFTER THE

WORKING OF SATAN WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND

LYING WONDERS." 2_Thessalonians 2:8-9.

 

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed

into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great

thing if his ministers also be transformed as the

ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be

according to their works." 2_Corinthians 11:14-15.

 

V. FOLLOWERS OF FALSE PROPHETS.

 

New false prophets are constantly rising, and it

is impossible to mention them all by name,

furthermore they oftentimes disappear as rapidly

as they appear, but practically the same method of

treatment will serve to help.

 

1. First show the deluded one Christ's own warning

that false Christs and false prophets would arise.

For this purpose use Mark 13:22-23:

 

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise,

and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it

were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed:

behold, I have foretold you all things."

 

Dwell upon the point that the fact that they heal

the sick and perform other wonders is no proof at

all that they are not false  {146}  prophets, that

Christ distinctly foretold that the false Christs

and the false prophets would do these things.

 

2. Then give them the following five rules by

which they can escape every snare of the false

prophet.

 

(1) The first rule is found in John 7;17, A WILL

WHOLLY SURRENDERED TO GOD.

 

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the

doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak

of myself."

 

Make this point very clear, for many of these

people claim to have wholly surrendered their

wills to God, but question them unsparingly on

this point, and oftentimes you will find that the

will is not surrendered.

 

(2) The second rule is found in 2_Timothy 3:13-17.

This rule is _a careful study of the Word of God,

and a thorough comparison of any one's claims to

be a prophet, or a Christ, or the Messenger of the

Covenant, or John the Baptist, or anything of that

sort, with the teachings of the Word of God._ The

followers of false prophets generally make a hobby

of some few verses in the Bible, and do not study

the book as a whole.

 

(3) The third rule is found in James 1:5-7, PRAYER

TO GOD FOR WISDOM.

 

"If any of you lack wisdom, lit him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth

not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in

faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is

like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and

tossed. For let not that man think that he shall

receive anything of the Lord."

 

Of course the prayer must be sincere, with a

readiness to follow the leading of God. Many pray

for guidance and still go on in delusion, but the

prayer is not sincere. They ask for guidance, but

do not utterly renounce their own wisdom and wait

upon God for His wisdom. Very many have been led

out of the error of following various false

prophets when they in utter self-distrust have

gone to God for light and guidance.

 

(4) The fourth rule is found in Matthew 23:8-10,

CALL NO MAN MASTER.

 

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your

Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And

call no man your father upon the earth: for one is

{147} your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be

ye called masters: for one is your Master, even

Christ."

 

Call no man Master, acknowledge no man as an

absolute and final authority, accept the authority

of no one, and nothing but Christ and the Bible,

in matters of faith and religion. It is well to

dwell upon this point, for this is the very point

at which many are led astray, the swallowing of

some man whole, with all his arrant pretensions.

The natural, selfish heart of man craves some man

to do our thinking for us in matters of religion,

and this makes men ready to swallow whole the

teachings of some man. It is this that gives power

to popery, priestcraft, Christian Science,

Mormonism, and all similar delusions.

 

(5) The fifth rule is found in Proverbs 29:25, BE

AFRAID OF NO MAN.

 

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso

putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."

 

Many a false prophet keeps his power over people

through fear. While they do not more than half

believe in him, they are afraid if they leave he

will in some way bring sickness or some other

curse upon them. Very likely the one with whom you

are dealing will be in this very position. Show

them how clearly they are in a wrong position, the

very fact that they are afraid of the man proving

this. Show the deluded man that the Holy Spirit is

"not a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love,

and of a sound mind." If the deluded person

insists that the false prophet does his work in

the name of Christ and succeeds, and therefore

must be accepted of God, turn him to Matthew

7:22-23. This shows very clearly that one may even

cast out devils in the name of the Lord, and yet

be one whom He never knew.

 

It is well in dealing with those who are under the

spell of a false prophet to be able to show them

what the marks of a false prophet are. The first

and most common of these is a greed for money. To

show this, use Titus 1:10-11, and 2_Peter 2:3:

 

"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and

deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole

houses, teaching things which they ought not, FOR

FILTHY LUCRE'S SAKE."

 

"And THROUGH COVETOUSNESS shall they with feigned

words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now

of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation

slumbereth not."  {148}

 

Make it very clear if the pretended prophet is

trying to get money from the people (as usually he

very clearly is), that that in itself is a mark

that he is a false prophet. A second mark of the

false prophet is vaunting one's self. To show the

deluded one this, use Jude 16 and 1_Corinthians

13:4 RV:

 

"These are murmurers, complainers, walking after

their own lusts; and THEIR MOUTH SPEAKETH GREAT

SWELLING WORDS, having men's persons in admiration

because of advantage."

 

"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth

not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."

 

A third mark of the false prophet is the claim to

an authority that Jesus Christ forbade any man

ascribing to himself. To show this to some person

who is in the snare of the false prophet use

Matthew 23:8,12.

 

A fourth mark of a false prophet is a false

application of Scripture either to himself, or to

places with which he is connected. Thus, for

example, the Mormons take passages which apply to

Israel, and apply them to their own Zion. When any

place under the false prophet's control is named

for some Bible place, and Scriptural promises

referring to the literal Bible place are applied

to the place under the prophet's control, just

show the one who is being deceived by this sort of

thing how utterly unwarranted such an application

is.

 

Fifth, there is usually an untrue note somewhere

in the doctrine taught by the false prophet. He

may teach a good deal that is Biblical and true,

but somewhere he betrays his Satanic origin. The

points at which this false note of doctrine are

most likely to be found are on the doctrine of

future punishment, the matter of the use of meats,

or upon legalism of some form -- the observation

of the seventh day, the matter of tithes, or

something of that sort. In the matter of future

punishment, false prophets generally go off sooner

or later into either annihilationism or

restorationism or a combination of the two.

 

After all the most important thing to do in

dealing with one who is under a delusion, is to

bring forward the fundamental, saving truth of the

Gospel, salvation through the atoning work and

upon the single condition of faith in Jesus

Christ. Oftentimes error, like typhoid fever, has

to be left to take its course and work itself out.

I know many men today who are out in a clear

Christian experience, who for a while were

completely under the control  {149}  of some of

our modern false prophets, even thinking that all

who did not agree with them were utterly wrong,

and saying so in the most bitter terms; but in

answer to prayer, and the study of the Word of

God, God has led them out of the darkness into the

light.

 

{150}

 

@14  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

HOW TO DEAL WITH CHRISTIANS WHO NEED COUNSEL,

REBUKE, ENCOURAGEMENT, OR COMFORT.

 

It is often necessary to do personal work with

those who are really Christians, but whose

Christian experience for one cause or another is

unsatisfactory.

 

I. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NEGLECTING THE OPEN

CONFESSION OF CHRIST.

 

There are many who are professing Christians who

are not making an open confession of Christ as

they ought. The experience of such is of course

always unsatisfactory. No one can make

satisfactory progress in the Christian life who is

not confessing Christ openly before men. One of

the best passages of Scripture to use with this

class is Matthew 10;32-33:

 

"WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN,

him will I confess also before my Father which is

in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father which is in

heaven."

 

The meaning and application of this verse is so

plain as to need no comment.

 

Another excellent passage to use is Romans

10:9-10:

 

"IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord

Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God

hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be

saved. For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS

MADE UNTO SALVATION."

 

According to this passage, our very salvation

depends upon the confession of Jesus Christ with

the mouth. There are many who say that they are

Christians and who believe that they are saved,

{151}  because in their hearts they believe in

Jesus and have accepted Him as a Savior. They will

tell you that they do not regard a public

confession of Christ as necessary. The passage

just given will show them how utterly unscriptural

is their position. A short time ago a man who

called himself a Christian, and who entertained

the hope that he really was a child of God, but

who lacked joy in his experience, approached me

with a question, "Do you think it is necessary

that a man should publicly confess Christ in order

to be saved?" I replied, "It is a matter of very

little moment what I think is necessary, the great

question is, what does God tell us in His own

Word?"  Then I gave him Romans 10:9-10 to read.

"Now," I said, "that is what God says." The

meaning and application of the passage were so

plain that the man had nothing further to say, but

promised to make an open confession of Christ

before the world.

 

Another helpful passage to use is John 12:42-43:

 

"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many

believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they

did not confess him, lest they should be put out

of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men

more than the praise of God."

 

In many cases I have found that where these other

passages did not seem to lead to decisive action,

Mark 8:38 did:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of

my words in this adulterous and sinful generation;

of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when

he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy

angels."

 

II. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NEGLECTING THE BIBLE.

 

There are many today who make a profession of

faith in Jesus Christ, and of whom doubtless many

are saved, who are making little or no progress in

the Christian life because of neglect of the

Bible. A good passage to use with such is 1_Peter

2:2:

 

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the

word, that ye may grow thereby."

 

I was once calling upon a member of the church. I

put to her the question, "How are you getting

along in your Christian life?" She replied, "I am

not getting on at all; my Christian life is a

disgrace to me, a disgrace to the church, and a

disgrace to Jesus Christ."  {152}  I then asked,

"Are you studying the Word of God daily?" she

replied that she was not. "No wonder then that

your Christian experience is not satisfactory,"

said I. A little baby was lying in a carriage

close at hand. I pointed to the child and said,

"Suppose that you fed this baby every two hours

today, once every six hours tomorrow, not at all

the next day, three or four times the next day,

and then let her go two or three days without

feeding at all, how do you think the baby would

thrive?" She replied, "I do not think the baby

would thrive at all, I think she would die."

"Well," I said, "this is the exact way in which

you are treating your soul." This point is

emphasized by the passage just given.

 

Another passage to use with this class is Acts

20:32:

 

Other helpful passages are:

 

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and

superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with

meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save

your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not

hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James

1:21-22.

 

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and

worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue

thou in the things which thou hast learned and

hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast

learned them; and that from a child thou hast

known THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE

THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION through faith which is in

Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by

inspiration of God, and is profitable for

doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for

instruction in righteousness: that the man of God

may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good

works."  2_Timothy 3:13-17.

 

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword

of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Ephesians 6:17.

 

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By

taking heed thereto ACCORDING TO THY WORD. ...

 

"THY WORD I HAVE HID IN MINE HEART, that I might

not sin against thee. ...

 

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth

understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:9, 11,

130.

 

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the

counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of

sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the low of the LORD: and IN

HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT." Psalm

1:1-2.

 

In the use of the last passage especially

emphasize the second verse, "His delight is in the

law of the LORD; And in his law  {153}  doth he

MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT." In a similar way you can

use Joshua 1:8:

 

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy

mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND

NIGHT, that thou mayest observe to do according to

all that is written therein: for THEN thou shalt

make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have

good success."

 

A passage which is useful as emphasizing the need

of DAILY searching the Scriptures is Acts 17:11:

 

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,

in that they received the word with all readiness

of mind, and searched the scriptures DAILY,

whether those things were so."

 

In urging upon others the daily study of the

Scriptures it is always well to give them a few

simple directions as to how to study the Bible.

 

III. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NEGLECTING PRAYER.

 

One of the commonest causes in our day of an

unsatisfactory Christian experience, is neglect of

prayer. A personal worker will often find those

who complain that they are not making satisfactory

progress in the Christian life. In such a case the

worker should always inquire whether they make a

regular practice of prayer and to what extent.

When it is found that prayer is being neglected,

the following passages will be found useful:

 

"Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to

have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye

have not, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT." James 4:2.

 

In using this passage, emphasize the seven closing

words:

 

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given

you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall

be opened unto you. For every one that asketh

receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him

that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall

ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he

give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for

a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an

egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then,

being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your

children: how much more shall your heavenly Father

give the Holy Spirit TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?" Luke

11:9-13.

 

"Is any among you afflicted? LET HIM PRAY. Is any

merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you?

let him call for the elders of the church; {154}

and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith

shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him

up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be

forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN

AVAILETH MUCH.

 

"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we

are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not

rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space

of three years and six months. And he prayed

again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth

brought forth her fruit." James 5:13-18.

 

"And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and PRAY,

LEST YE ENTER INTO TEMPTATION." Luke 22:46.

 

The last passage is especially helpful as

emphasizing one of the most important purposes of

prayer. Another exceedingly instructive passage

along this line is Isaiah 40:31:

 

"But THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD shall renew

their strength; they shall mount up with wings as

eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they

shall walk, and not faint."

 

A passage which is useful as suggesting the need

of regular seasons of prayer is Psalm 55:17:

 

"Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray,

and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

 

Other passages which are useful in dealing with

people of this class are:

 

"And in the morning, rising up a great while

before day, he went out, and departed into a

solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35.

 

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,

he went into his house; and his windows being open

in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon

his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave

thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."

Daniel 6:10.

 

"And when he had sent them away, he departed into

a mountain to pray." Mark 6:46.

 

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went

out into a mountain to pray, and continued all

night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12.

 

"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING." 1_Thessalonians 5:17.

 

IV. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE LEADING CARELESS LIVES.

 

There are many whom one would hesitate to say are

not Christians at all and are not saved, but whose

lives are not out and out for Christ as they

should be. In dealing with such, the {155}

following passages will be found particularly

useful: 2_Corinthians 6:14--7:1; especially

emphasize in these verses the words, "Come ye out

from among them, and be ye separate."

 

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will

hate the one, and love the other; or else he will

hold to the one, and despise the other. YE CANNOT

SERVE GOD AND MAMMON." Matthew 6:24.

 

In the above passage, dwell upon and drive home

the closing words, "Ye cannot serve God and

mammon."

 

"LOVE NOT THE WORLD, neither the things that are

in the world. If any man love the world, the love

of the Father is not in him. For all that is in

the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of

the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the

Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth

away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the

will of God abideth forever." 1_John 2:15-17.

 

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that

THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD?

whosoever therefore shall be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

 

"But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God

resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the

humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist

the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to

God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your

hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye

double minded." James 4:4,6-8.

 

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without

which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

 

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be

sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is

to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus

Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning

yourselves according to the former lusts in your

ignorance: but as he which hath called you is

holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect

of persons judgeth according to every man's work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from

your vain conversation received by tradition from

your fathers; but with the precious blood of

Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without

spot." 1_Peter 1:13-19.

 

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at

the house of God: and if it first begin at us,

what shall the end be of them that obey not the

gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be

saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner

appear?" 1_Peter 4:17-18.

 

"And that which fell among thorns are they, which,

when they have heard, go forth, and are CHOKED

WITH CARES AND RICHES AND PLEASURES OF THIS LIFE,

and bring no fruit to perfection." Luke 8:14.

 

In using the above passage, dwell upon the thought

contained in the words, "choked with cares and

riches and pleasures of this life."  {156}

 

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time

your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and

drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that

day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall

it come on all them that dwell on the face of the

whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always,

that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all

these things that shall come to pass, and to stand

before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36.

 

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights

burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait

for their lord, when he will return from the

wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they

may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those

servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find

watching; verily I say unto you, that he shall

gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat,

and will come forth and serve them. And if he

shall come in the second watch, or come in the

third watch, and find them so, blessed are those

servants." Luke 12:35-38.

 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies

of God, that ye present your bodies a living

sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is

your reasonable service. And be not conformed to

this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing

of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans

12:1-2.

 

"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because

he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of

faith is sin." Romans 14:23.

 

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my

course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is

laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the

Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that

day: and not to me only, but unto all them also

that love his appearing." 2_Timothy 4:7-8.

 

V. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT WORKING FOR CHRIST.

 

A large proportion of the professing church today

is doing little or nothing for the Master. The

personal worker who shall succeed in getting other

Christians to work will be accomplishing at least

as much for Christ as the one who leads the

unsaved to Him. The Bible abounds in passages

which can be effectively used for this purpose.

The following will be found useful: Mark 13:34-37

(emphasize the words "to every man his work");

Matthew 24:44-51 and Matthew 25:14-30. A verse

which is useful in showing idle Christians that

every professed follower of Christ ought to be a

witness for Him and a soul winner is Acts 8:4:

 

"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went

everywhere preaching the word."

 

Ephesians 4:14-16 is also useful:

 

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to

and fro, and carried about with every wind of

doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning

craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into

him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

{157} from whom the whole body fitly joined

together and compacted BY THAT WHICH EVERY JOINT

SUPPLIETH, according to the effectual working in

the measure of every part, maketh increase of the

body unto the edifying of itself in love."

 

In using this passage, point out the words, "that

which every joint supplieth," and explain their

meaning. Other verses that will be found useful

are:

 

Ephesians 5:14-21.

 

"She hath done what she could." Mark 14:8.

 

"Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner

from the error of his way shall save a soul from

death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James

5:20.

 

"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.

 

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is

with me, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK

SHALL BE." Revelation 22:12.

 

VI. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE UNDERGOING TEMPTATION.

 

There come to all Christians, and especially to

all young Christians, times of special temptation

and trial. At such times they need, and should

have, the counsel and encouragement of other

Christians. We should bear one another's burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2.)

Here is a large field of usefulness for the

personal worker. The following passages will be

found exceedingly useful in strengthening the

brethren when under trial and temptation.

 

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into

divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying

of your faith worketh patience. But let patience

have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and

entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4.

 

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for

when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of

life, which the Lord hath promised to them that

love him." James 1:12.

 

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the

devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking

whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the

faith, knowing that the same afflictions are

accomplished in your brethren that are in the

world. But the God of all grace, who hath called

us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after

that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,

stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1_Peter 5:8-10.

 

(It is well when possible to use the R.V. of the

last passage.)

 

{8  Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the

devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking

whom he may devour, 9 whom withstand stedfast in

your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are

accomplished in your brethren who are in the

world. 10  And the God of all grace, who called

you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that

ye have suffered a little while, shall himself

perfect, establish, strengthen you. (1 Peter

5:8-10 ASV)}

 

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is

common to man: but God is faithful, who will not

suffer you to be tempted above that ye are  {158}

able; but will with the temptation also make a way

to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

1_Corinthians 10:13.

 

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for

thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest

upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,

in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in

distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,

then am I strong." 2_Corinthians 12:9-10.

 

"Pray without ceasing." 1_Thessalonians 5:17.

 

"I can do all things through Christ which

strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.

 

"I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have

known him that is from the beginning. I have

written unto you, young men, because ye are

strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye

have overcome the wicked one." 1_John 2:14.

 

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By

taking heed thereto according to thy word." Psalm

119:9.

 

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that

have no might he increaseth strength. Even the

youths shall faint and be weary, and the young man

shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the

LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not

be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31.

 

VII. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE UNDERGOING PERSECUTION.

 

Many professed Christians fail in the hour of

persecution who would have stood if they could

have had a few words of counsel from some fellow

Christian. The following passages are useful in

giving the needed word of counsel and

encouragement.

 

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for

righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of

heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,

and persecute you, and shall say all manner of

evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in

heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which

were before you." Matthew 5:10-12.

 

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the

fiery trial which is to try you, as though some

strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice,

inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's

sufferings; that, when his glory shall be

revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy

are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth

upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but

on your part he is glorified." 1_Peter 4:12-14.

 

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not

be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this

behalf." 1_Peter 4:16.

 

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ

also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that

ye should follow his steps: who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he

was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,

he threatened not; but committed himself to him

that judgeth righteously." 1_Peter 2:21-23. {159}

 

"For it is better, if the will of God be so, that

ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For

Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just

for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,

being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by

the Spirit." 1_Peter 3:17-18.

 

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution." 2_Timothy 3:12.

 

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and

exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that

we must through much tribulation enter into the

kingdom of God." Acts 14:22.

 

"And to him they agreed: and when they had called

the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that

they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and

let them go. And they departed from the presence

of the council, rejoicing that they were counted

worthy to suffer shame for his name.

 

"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they

ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts

5:40-42.

 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with

so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside

every weight, and the sin which doth so easily

beset us, and let us run with patience the race

that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the

author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy

that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame, and is sat down at the right

hand of the throne of God. For consider him that

endured such contradiction of sinners against

himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your

minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,

striving against sin." Hebrews 12:1-4.

 

"Fear none of those things which thou shalt

suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you

into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall

have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto

death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Revelation 2:10.

 

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's

good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke

12:32.

 

VIII. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE PASSING THROUGH

AFFLICTION.

 

When times of affliction come to Christians,

especially to young Christians, a few words fitly

spoken by a fellow Christian are oftentimes of

great help. Not infrequently they save the

afflicted one from years of darkness and

barrenness in their Christian experience. There

are many today who are of little or no use in the

church, who would have been of use if some wise

worker had come to them in the hour of affliction

and given them good counsel from God's own Word.

We should all be constantly on the lookout for

opportunities of this kind, and we will find them

round about us almost every day of our lives. No

thoughts of our own can possibly be of as much

help in such an hour as the promises and

encouragements of God's Word. The following

passages will be found useful and sufficient, if

wisely used in the power of the Holy Spirit.

{160}

 

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which

speaketh unto you as unto children, My son,

despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor

faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the

Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God

dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he

whom the father chasteneth not?..."

 

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be

joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it

yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto

them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:5-7,

11.

 

"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for

you, who are kept by the power of God through

faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the

last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now

for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness

through manifold temptations: that the trial of

your faith, being much more precious than of gold

that perisheth, though it be tried with fire,

might be found unto praise and honour and glory at

the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1_Peter 1:4-7.

 

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand

of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting

all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

1_Peter 5:6-7.

 

"God is our refuge and strength, A VERY PRESENT

HELP IN TROUBLE. Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be removed, and though the

mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake with the swelling

thereof." Psalm 46:1-3.

 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art

with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4.

 

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will

deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm

50:15.

 

"The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and

delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm

34:17.

 

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall

I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of

whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine

enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my

flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host

should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear:

though war should rise against me, in this will I

be confident. One thing have I desired of the

LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in

the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to

behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in

his temple. For IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE HE SHALL

HIDE ME IN HIS PAVILION: in the secret of his

tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon

a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above

mine enemies round about me: therefore will I

offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will

sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

 

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the

goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall

strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Psalm 27:1-6,13-14.

 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon

you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in

heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29.  {161}

 

The one who is to use these passages should first

read them over and over again with himself alone,

and think of their relation to the specific trial

of the one whom he proposes to help.

 

IX. CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.

 

The ministry of comfort to those whose homes have

been invaded by death is one of the most blessed

of Christian ministries. It is a ministry that is

open to us all, but the attempts of many

well-meaning persons in this direction, who try to

comfort with their own fancies rather than with

the sure Word of God, oftentimes do more harm than

good. But the one who knows his Bible, and what it

has to say upon the subject of death and of the

future, will be able to bind up many a broken

heart. Jesus declared in the synagogue at

Nazareth, that God had anointed Him to heal the

broken hearted, (Luke 4:18), and every follower of

Jesus should seek an anointing for the sam blessed

work. The Bible abounds in passages which are

useful for this purpose, but the following are

among those which experience proves to be most

effective:

 

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in

God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are

many mansions: if it were not so, I would have

told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if

I go and prepare a place for you, I will come

again, and receive you unto myself, that where I

am, there ye may be also.

 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not

your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:1-3,27.

 

"Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou

knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."

John 13:7.

 

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be

exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in

the earth." Psalm 46:10.

 

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,

Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord

from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they

may rest from their labours; and their works do

follow them." Revelation 14:13.

 

"And he said, While the child was yet alive, I

fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell whether

GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may

live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?

Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but

he shall not return to me." 2_Samuel 12:22-23.

 

"But we would not have you ignorant, brethren,

concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow

not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we

believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so

them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God

bring with him. For this we say unto you by the

{162}  word of the Lord, that we that are alive,

that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall

in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven,

with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and

with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ

shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are

left, shall together with them be caught up in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall

we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one

another with these words." 1_Thessalonians 4:13-18

ASV.

 

(I have found this the most comforting of any

single passage in the Word of God.)

 

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that,

whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent

from the Lord; (for we walk by faith, not by

sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing

rather to be absent from the body, and to be

present with the Lord." 2_Corinthians 5:6-8.

 

"I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to

depart, and to be with Christ; which is far

better." Philippians 1:23.

 

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is

sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption:

it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it

is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: it is

sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual

body. There is a natural body, and there is a

spiritual body.

 

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we

shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption,

and this mortal must put on immortality.

 

"So when this corruptible shall have put on

incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on

immortality, then shall be brought to pass the

saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in

victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave,

where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin;

and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be

to God, which giveth us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in

the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that

your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

1_Corinthians 15:42-44,49, 53-58.

 

The worker must make a study of each individual

case, and decide which of the passages given above

will be most helpful in the specific case.

Sometimes it will be found well to use them all.

They should not be merely read, but dwelt upon,

and their meaning explained and applied, wherever

necessary. In all the reading and the explanation

and the application, we must depend upon the Holy

Spirit for His wisdom and power.

 

X. CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE HOLY

SPIRIT.

 

There are many professing Christians in our day

who have not definitely received the Holy Spirit.

They have not entered into  {163}  the fulness of

joy and peace and power that there is for us in

Christ. They are practically in the same condition

that the disciples in Ephesus were in until Paul

came and put to them the question, "Have ye

received the Holy Ghost?" (Acts 19:2) and the

position that the believers in Samaria were in

until Peter and John came down and "prayed for

them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for

as yet he was fallen upon none of them," (Acts

8:15-16). There are many today who are inquiring

what they must do that they may receive the Holy

Ghost, and there are others that ought to be

asking this question. The personal worker should

know how to show any one who has not received the

Holy Spirit just what he must do that he may

receive the Holy Spirit. The following are the

steps that should be pointed out:

 

1. _The one who would receive the Holy Ghost must

depend for his acceptance before God upon the

finished work of Christ alone, and not upon

anything he himself has done or can do._ To make

this point clear to the inquirer use Galatians

3:2:

 

"This only would I learn of you, RECEIVED YE THE

SPIRIT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR BY HEARING OF

FAITH?"

 

This passage is often interpreted to mean that we

receive the Holy Spirit by simply believing that

we are going to receive Him. This is not at all

the meaning of the passage as found in the

context. The Christians in Galatia had been told

by certain false teachers that came in among them,

that in order to be justified it was not enough to

simply believe on Jesus Christ and His finished

work, but in addition to this they must keep the

Mosaic law regarding circumcision. Paul in the

passage before us  shows them the folly of this

position by appealing to their own experience. He

calls to mind the fact that they had received the

Holy Ghost not be keeping the Mosaic law, but

simply by the hearing of faith, that is by

believing God's testimony regarding Christ and His

atoning work, and resting in that for pardon.

 

The first step then, toward receiving the Holy

Spirit is to turn our eyes entirely away from

ourselves, and anything we ever have done or can

do, and fix them upon Jesus Christ, and His

atoning work on the Cross, and depend upon that

finished work of Christ for our pardon and

acceptance before God. {164}

 

2. THE ONE WHO WOULD RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST MUST

PUT AWAY ALL SIN. To make this clear to the

inquirer use Acts 2:38:

 

"Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be

baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus

Christ for the remission of sins, and YE SHALL

RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST."

 

This passage makes it clear that in order to

receive the Holy Ghost we must repent. Repentance

is a change of mind about Christ and a change of

mind about sin. It is a change first of all from a

Christ-rejecting attitude of mind, to a

Christ-accepting attitude of mind. This is

involved in what has been already said regarding

the first step, but there must also be a change of

mind regarding sin; a change of mind from a

sin-loving and sin-indulging attitude of mind to a

sin-rejecting attitude of mind, that is, we must

renounce all sin. One of the commonest hindrances

to the receiving of the Holy Spirit is holding on

to some sin. The worker should deal very

faithfully at this point with the inquirer. Find

out whether there is not some sin in the life that

is not renounced. Find if there is not some sin in

the past that has not been confessed and

straightened out. Instruct the inquirer to go

alone with God and ask God to search his heart,

and to show him anything in his life that is

displeasing to Him. If anything is thus brought to

light, insist that it must be renounced. Tell the

inquirer that every known sin must be given up.

Dwell upon the fact that the Holy Spirit is the

HOLY Spirit, and that He will not manifest Himself

in His fulness in an unholy heart, that is, in a

heart which holds on to sin.

 

3. THE ONE WHO WOULD RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT MUST

SURRENDER HIS WILL ABSOLUTELY TO THE WILL OF GOD.

To show this use Acts 5:32:

 

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so

is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given TO

THEM THAT OBEY HIM."

 

This passage shows that God gives the Holy Spirit

to them that obey Him. Show that the essential

thing about obedience is the attitude of the will,

and that real obedience involves the absolute

surrender of the will to God. Hold the inquirer to

the necessity of such an absolute surrender to

God. This is the point of difficulty in very many

lives. Perhaps more people are kept out of the

blessing  {165}  of the conscious receiving of the

Holy Spirit by a lack of absolute surrender than

by any other one thing. In many an instance the

Holy Spirit is given at once in fulness as soon as

one is led to an absolute surrender of the will to

God. If one will not thus surrender, there is no

use of trying to go further, God will accept no

compromise at this point.

 

4. THE ONE WHO WOULD RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

SHOULD ASK GOD FOR THIS DEFINITE GIFT.  To show

this to the inquirer, use Luke 11:13:

 

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good

gifts unto your children, how much more shall your

heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit TO THEM THAT

ASK HIM?"

 

This tells us plainly that God gives the Holy

Spirit to them that ask Him. It can be illustrated

by the use of Acts 2:1-4, cf. Acts 1:14; Acts 4:31

and Acts 8:15-16.

 

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

they were all with one accord in one place. And

suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a

rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house

were they were sitting. And there appeared unto

them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat

upon each of them. And they were ALL FILLED WITH

THE HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other

tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts

2:1-4.

 

(Compare Acts 1:14. "These all CONTINUED WITH ONE

ACCORD IN PRAYER and supplication, with the women,

and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his

brethren.")

 

"And WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED, the place was shaken

where they were assembled together; and they were

ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and they spake the

word of God with boldness." Acts 4;31.

 

"Who, when they were come down, PRAYED FOR THEM,

that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as

yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they

were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)."

Acts 8:15-16.

 

The inquirer should be led at once to definitely

seek the filling with the Holy Spirit. It is well

to pray with the inquirer then and there for this

definite gift.

 

5. THE FINAL STEP IN RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST IS

SIMPLY FAITH. There are many who take all the

steps mentioned thus far, and yet fail of the

blessing simply because they do not believe. Mark

11:24 can be used to make this clear:

 

"Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye

desire, when ye pray, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE

THEM, and ye shall have them."  {166}

 

The R.V. of this passage is particularly

suggestive.

 

"All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for,

BELIEVE THAT YE HAVE RECEIVED THEM, and ye shall

have them."

 

The inquirer should be instructed not to look to

his feelings, but to the Word of God, and to

believe that he has received whether he has any

sensation or experience or not, simply because God

has promised in His Word. In a very large

proportion of cases, people receive the Holy Ghost

simply by believing God's Word, and that their

prayer is heard, without any feeling; and

afterwards what they believe they "have received"

they do actually obtain in personal experience as

a conscious possession. Great help will be found

in showing the inquirer how to receive by faith,

in 1_John 5:14-15:

 

"And this is the confidence that we have in him,

that, IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE

HEARETH US: and if we know that he hear us,

whatsoever we ask, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE

PETITIONS THAT WE DESIRED OF HIM."

 

Make it very clear to the inquirer by the use of

this passage that when we ask anything according

to the will of God, we know that He heareth us,

because the passage says so, and when we know that

He heareth us, we know that we have the petitions

we have asked of Him, WHETHER WE FEEL IT OR NOT.

 

Then show the inquirer that when we pray for the

Holy Spirit we pray for something according to the

will of God. The following passages make this

clear:

 

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good

gifts unto your children: how much more shall your

heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that

ask him?" Luke 11:13.

 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be

baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus

Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall

receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the

promise is unto you, and to your children, and to

all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord

our God shall call." Acts 2:38-39.

 

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess,

but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT." Ephesians 5:18.

 

Then have the inquirer kneel down and definitely

pray for the Holy Spirit. When he has offered this

prayer, ask him if he has received what he sought.

If he is not clear about it, open your Bible to

1_John 5:14-15 and lay it before him and have him

read  {167}  it, and then ask him if he has asked

for something according to God's will, and when he

says he has, ask him, "What then do you know?" and

hold him to it until he says, "I know that God has

heard me." Then have him read the 15th verse and

ask him, "If you know that God has heard you, what

further do you know?" Hold him to it until he

says, "I know that I have the petition that I

asked of Him." Then ask him, "What do you know you

have received?" and hold him to it until, resting

upon the simple naked promise of God's Word, he

can say, "I know I have received the Holy Ghost."

Many are waiting for certain ecstatic experiences

of which they have heard others speak. In dealing

with an inquirer, do not deny the reality of these

experiences, for they doubtless are real in many

instances, but show the inquirer that there are no

such experiences described in the Bible, that the

manifestations of having received the Holy Spirit

mentioned in the Bible are a new joy and peace in

Christ,

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness, temperance: against such there is no

law." Galatians 5:22-23,

 

and a new and clearer knowledge of Christ,

 

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send

unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of

truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall

testify of me." John 15:26,

 

and especially new power in service for Christ,

 

And, being assembled together with them, commanded

them that they should not depart from Jerusalem,

but wait for the promise of the Father, which,

saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly

baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with

the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ...

 

"But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, after that the Holy

Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses

unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and

in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the

earth." Acts 1:4-5,8.

 

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken

were they were assembled together; and they were

all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the

word of God with boldness. And the multitude of

them that believed were of one heart and of one

soul: neither said any of them that ought of the

things which he possessed was his own; but they

had all things common. And WITH GREAT POWER gave

the apostles witness of the resurrection of the

Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."

Acts 4:31-33.   {168}

 

Also make it clear to the inquirer that the

manifestations that result from receiving the Holy

Spirit are to be expected not before we believe,

but after we believe, after we take by simple

faith God's Word. God's way is not first

experience and then faith, but first faith resting

upon the naked Word of God, and then experience,

"Believe THAT YE HAVE RECEIVED, and ye shall

have."

 

XI. CHRISTIANS WHO DO NOT HAVE VICTORY IN THEIR

CHRISTIAN LIFE.

 

There are many professed Christians, and doubtless

many who are really saved people, whose lives seem

to be lives of constant defeat and discouragement.

In dealing with such a person seek to find out

what is the cause of defeat. It will be found in

one or more of the following points:

 

1. BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED TO REST

ABSOLUTELY IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST FOR

PARDON AND PEACE. The church is full of people who

are looking to something that they themselves can

do to find acceptance before God. No one can have

a clear, satisfactory and victorious Christian

experience who has not learned to rest entirely in

the finished work of Christ for pardon. If this is

found to be the cause of failure, use Isaiah 53:6,

Galatians 3:13, 2_Corinthians 5:21 and similar

passages, to show that our sins are pardoned not

on account of anything that we have done or can

do, but on the account of what Jesus Christ did

when He bore our sins in His own body on the

Cross.

 

Next show the inquirer that the pardon and peace

thus purchased by the atoning blood of Christ,

become ours on the simple condition of our

believing on Christ. To show this, use the

following passages:

 

"Therefore BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH we have peace

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans

5:1.

 

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him

that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED

FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:5.

 

"But now apart from the law a righteousness of God

hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law

and the prophets; even the righteousness of God

through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that

believe; for there is no distinction; for all have

sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; BEING

JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set

forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his

blood, to show his righteousness because of the

passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the

forbearance of God; for the showing, I say, of his

righteousness at this present season: that he

might himself be just, and THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM

THAT HATH FAITH IN JESUS. (Romans 3:21-26 ASV)

 

"And be found in him, NOT HAVING MINE OWN

RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is of the law, BUT THAT WHICH

IS THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, the righteousness

which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9.

 

In the last passage the Revised Version brings out

the thought more clearly than the Authorized.

 

{"And be found in him, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS

OF MINE OWN, even that which is of the law, BUT

THAT WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, the

righteousness which is from God by faith:

(Philippians 3:9 ASV)}

 

2. BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT SURRENDERED ABSOLUTELY TO

THE WILL OF GOD. This is the cause of failure in a

very large proportion of cases. If this is found

to be the cause of failure in any specific case,

use Acts 5:32, and Romans 6:13,19.

 

"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of

unrighteousness unto sin; but YIELD YOURSELVES

UNTO GOD, as those that are alive from the dead,

and your members as instruments of righteousness

unto God. ...

 

"I speak after the manner of men because of the

infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded

your members servants to uncleanness and to

iniquity unto iniquity; even so NOW YIELD YOUR

MEMBERS SERVANTS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS unto holiness."

Romans 6:13,19.

 

3. BECAUSE OF NEGLECT OF THE STUDY OF THE WORD. If

this is the case, use 1_Peter 2:2, Psalm 119:11

and Ephesians 6:17:

 

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might

not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11.

 

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword

of the Spirit, which is the word of God,"

Ephesians 6:17.

 

4. BECAUSE OF NEGLECT OF PRAYER. Where this is the

case, use 1_Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 22:40 and

Isaiah 40:29-31:

 

"And when he was at the place, he said unto them,

PRAY THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION." Luke

22:40.

 

5. BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO CONSTANTLY CONFESS CHRIST

BEFORE MEN. The one who would lead a victorious

Christian life must be constantly witnessing for

Christ. Make this very plain, and for this purpose

use Matthew 10:32-33:

 

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,

him will I confess also before my Father which is

in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father which is in

heaven."

 

6. BECAUSE OF NEGLECT TO WORK FOR CHRIST. One who

would lead a victorious life must be constantly at

work for the Master. If the cause of failure is at

this point, use Matthew 25:29:   {170}

 

"For unto every one that hath shall be given, and

he shall have abundance: but from him that hath

not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

 

Explain its meaning by the context. The evident

meaning of the passage is that one who uses the

talents that he has in the Master's service will

get more, but the one who neglects to use the

talents he has will lose even those.

 

7. BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT.

There are very many today who are leading lives of

constant failure where they might be leading lives

of constant victory, simply because they do not

even so much as know that it is the privilege of

the individual believer to be filled with the Holy

Spirit. If this is the case, use Ephesians 5:18,

the last half of the verse, and Galatians

5:16,22-23:

 

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and y shall

not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ...

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

meekness, temperance: against such there is no

law."

 

Then show the inquirer how to receive the Holy

Spirit as explained under the former heading.

 

{171}

 

@15  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 

SOME HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PERSONAL WORK

 

A few general suggestions that will be helpful to

the personal worker remain to be made.

 

I. AS A RULE, CHOOSE PERSONS TO DEAL WITH OF YOUR

OWN SEX.

 

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. One

should always be looking to the Holy Spirit for

His guidance as to whom to approach, and He may

lead us to one of the opposite sex, but unless

there is clear guidance in the matter, it is quite

generally agreed among those who have had much

experience in Christian work that, on the whole,

women usually do the most satisfactory work with

women, and men with men; especially is this true

of the young. It is always a bad sign when a young

man is always looking for women to deal with, and

a young woman looking for young men to deal with.

Many exceedingly unfortunate complications have

risen in actual life from young men trying to lead

young women to Christ, and vice versa. Of course,

an elderly, motherly woman will oftentimes do

excellent work with a young man or boy, and an

elderly, fatherly man will sometimes do good work

with a young woman or girl.

 

II. AS A RULE, CHOOSE PERSONS TO DEAL WITH OF

ABOUT YOUR OWN AGE.

 

A young man as a rule can get hold of young men

better than any one else can, and a man of mature

years can handle a man of his own age better than

a young man, or better even than an old man. It is

not wise usually for a young and inexperienced

person to approach one very much older and maturer

and wiser than himself, on such an important

subject as this. The older person  {172} naturally

looks with a good deal of distrust, if not

contempt, upon those much younger than himself.

There are, of course, exceptions even to this

rule. Frequently a man who has gained wisdom by

years, and who has the confidence of people, can

do excellent work with a young man or boy. As a

rule people do the best work with people of their

own class, educated men with educated men,

business men with business men, workingmen with

workingmen, women of position with women of

similar position to themselves. There are many

exceptions to this. Many a servant girl has been

known to lead her mistress to Christ, and many a

laboring man his employer.

 

III. WHENEVER IT IS POSSIBLE, DEAL WITH A PERSON

ALONE.

 

No one likes to open his heart freely to another

on the most personal and sacred of all subjects,

when there are others present. Many will from mere

pride defend themselves in a false position when

others are present, who would freely admit their

error or sin or need if they were alone with you.

It is far better for a single worker to deal with

a single unconverted person, than for several

workers to deal with an inquirer, or a single

worker to deal with several inquirers. Nothing can

be more unfortunate than for a number of workers

to swarm around one poor individual who is trying

to find the way of life. If such an individual is

a person of any independence of character, he is

very likely to feel that he is being hectored and

bothered, and for that very reason take an

attitude of opposition. If you have several to

deal with, it is better if possible to take them

one by one. Workers often find that they have made

no headway while talking to several at once, but

by taking the individuals off by themselves they

soon succeed in leading them one by one to Christ.

Where two unsaved people are being dealt with at

once, oftentimes each is afraid of the other, and

they bolster one another up in their false

position.

 

IV. LET YOUR RELIANCE BE WHOLLY IN THE SPIRIT OF

GOD AND IN THE WORD OF GOD. HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN

YOURSELF.

 

One of the greatest hindrances to successful

personal work is self- confidence. But while there

should be no self-confidence, there should be

boldness, boldness that comes from believing in

the  {173}  power of the Holy Ghost, and in the

power of the Word of God. No matter with whom you

are dealing, or how stubborn he may be, never

forget that the Spirit of God and the Word of God

have power to break the hardest heart. Be always

looking to the Spirit to produce conviction of

sin, and expect Him to do it, but let your whole

dependence be in Him, and in His Word alone.

 

V. HAVE THE ONE WITH WHOM YOU ARE DEALING READ THE

PASSAGE HIMSELF.

 

Do not content yourself with merely reading

passages from the Bible, much less with merely

quoting them. In this way the truth finds an

entrance into the heart through the eye as well as

through the ear. It is remarkable how much deeper

an impression the Word of God oftentimes makes

when it is actually seen with the eyes, than it

does when it is merely heard with the ears.

Sometimes it is well to have a marked Bible, with

the word that you wish especially to impress

marked in some striking way so that it will catch

the eye, and thus the mind and heart of the

reader.

 

VI. IT IS OFTENTIMES WELL TO USE BUT A SINGLE

PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE.

 

One verse of Scripture iterated and reiterated

will be burned into the memory and will haunt the

one with whom you are dealing long after you have

left them. I have known a passage to haunt a man

for weeks and finally result in his conversion. Do

everything in your power to drive it home and

clinch it so that the one with whom you are

dealing cannot forget it, but will hear it ring in

his memory long after your voice has ceased.

 

Dr. Ichabod Spencer tells in his "Pastoral

Sketches" of how he dealt with a young man who had

many difficulties. Dr. Spencer kept continually

quoting the passage, "Now is the accepted time,

now is the day of salvation." {2 Corinthians 6:2}

The young man tried to get Dr. Spencer off onto

something else, but over and over again he kept

saying the words, "Now is the accepted time, now

is the day of salvation." The young man returned

the next day rejoicing in the Lord, and thanking

Dr. Spencer that he had "hammered" him with that

text. The words kept ringing in his ears during

the night, and he could not rest until he had

settled the matter by accepting Christ.  {174}

 

It is a good thing when a person can point to some

definite verse in the Word of God and say, "I know

on the authority of that verse that my sins are

forgiven, and that I am a child of God." Indeed it

is well never to let persons go until they can

point you definitely to the verse in God's Word

upon which they rest their hope of salvation. Be

sure that they grasp it, so that if Satan comes to

them when they are alone, and asks them how they

know that they are saved, they can open their

Bible to that verse, and put their finger upon it

and defy Satan in all his wiles.

 

There are times, however, when a powerful effect

is produced by piling up passages along some line

until the mind is convinced and the heart

conquered. Especially is this true in showing

people their need of a Savior, and showing them

Jesus as the Savior that they need.

 

VII. ALWAYS HOLD THE PERSON WITH WHOM YOU ARE

DEALING TO THE MAIN POINT OF ACCEPTING CHRIST.

 

If he wishes to discuss outside questions, such as

the claims of various denominations, or the mode

of baptism, or theories of future punishment, or

fine points about the higher criticism, or any

other question than the central one of his need of

a Savior, and Christ the Savior that he needs,

tell him these questions are important to take up

in their right place and time, but the time to

settle them is after he has settled the

fundamental question of accepting or rejecting

Christ. Many a case has been lost by an

inexperienced and foolish worker allowing himself

to be involved in a discussion of some side issue

which it is utter folly to discuss with an

unregenerated person.

 

VIII. BE COURTEOUS.

 

Many well-meaning but indiscreet Christians by

their rudeness and impertinence repel those whom

they would win to Christ. It is quite possible to

be at once perfectly frank and perfectly

courteous. You can point out to a man his awful

sin and his need of a Savior without insulting

him. Your words may be very searching, while your

manner is very gentle and winning, indeed the more

gentle and winning your manner is, the deeper your

words will go, for they will not stir up the

opposition of those with whom  {175}  you are

dealing. Some workers approach those with whom

they wish to work in such a manner that the latter

at once assume the defensive, and clothe

themselves with an armor that it is impossible to

penetrate.

 

IX. AVOID UNWARRANTED FAMILIARITIES WITH THOSE

WITH WHOM YOU DEAL.

 

I have seen many workers lay their hands upon the

shoulders of those with whom they are dealing, or

even put their arms around them. Now there are

cases in which that is proper and wise. If a man

is dealing with an old wrecked and ruined drunkard

who thinks he has not a friend in the world, it

may be well to place your hand upon his shoulder,

or over his shoulder, but one needs to be

exceedingly cautious about these matters. A man of

fine sensitiveness is repelled when a stranger

takes any familiarities with him. This is even

more true of a lady of good breeding. I have even

seen a male worker so indiscreet as to lay his

hand upon a lady's shoulder. There is no place

where good breeding counts for more than in

personal work.

 

X. BE DEAD IN EARNEST.

 

Only the earnest man can make the unsaved man feel

the truth of God's Word. It is well to let the

passage we would use with others first sink deep

into our own souls. I know of a very successful

worker who has for a long time used the one

passage, "Prepare to meet thy God," {Amos 4:12}

with every one with whom she has dealt. But that

passage has taken such complete possession of her

own heart and mind that she uses it with

tremendous effect. A few passages that have

thoroughly mastered us are much better than many

passages that we have mastered from some text

book.

 

One of the great needs of the day is men and women

who are thoroughly in earnest, who are completely

possessed with the great fundamental truths of

God's Word. The reader of this book is advised to

ponder upon his knees such of the passages

suggested in it as he decides to use, until he

himself feels their power. We read of Paul that he

"ceased not to warn every one night and day with

tears." (Acts 20:31.) Genuine earnestness will go

further than any skill learned in a training class

or from the study of such a book as this. {176}

 

XI. NEVER LOSE YOUR TEMPER WHEN TRYING TO LEAD A

SOUL TO CHRIST.

 

How many a case has been lost by the worker losing

his temper! Some persons are purposely

exasperating, but even such may be won by patient

perseverance and gentleness: they certainly cannot

be won if you lose your temper, nothing delights

them more, or gives them more comfort in their

sin. The more irritating they are in their words

and actions, the more impressed they will be if

you return their insults with kindness. Oftentimes

the one who has been the most insufferable will

break down in penitence. One of the most insulting

men I ever met, afterward became one of the most

patient, persistent and effective of workers.

 

XII. NEVER HAVE A HEATED ARGUMENT WITH ONE WHOM

YOU WOULD LEAD TO CHRIST.

 

Heated arguments always come from the flesh and

not from the Spirit. (Galatians 5:20,22-23.) They

arise from pride, and unwillingness to let the

other person get the best of you in argument. If

you care more about winning him to Christ than you

do about winning your case, you will often let the

other man think that he has the best of the

argument, absolutely refusing to argue. If the one

with whom you are talking has mistaken notions

that must be removed before he can be led to

Christ, show him his error quietly and pleasantly.

If the error is not on an essential point, refuse

to discuss it at all, and hold the person to the

main question.

 

XIII. NEVER INTERRUPT ANY ONE ELSE WHO IS DEALING

WITH A SOUL.

 

Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon this point.

You may not think the other is doing the work in

the wisest way, but if you can do any better, bide

your time, and you will have the opportunity. Many

an unskilled worker has had some one at the very

point of decision, when some meddler, who thought

he was wiser, has broken in and upset the work. Do

not even stand by one who is talking to another

and listen to what he is saying. Incalculable

mischief may be done in this way. The thought of

the one who is being dealt with is distracted, his

heart is closed up, and a case that might have

been won is lost.

 

On the other hand, do not let others interrupt

you. Of course, sometimes it is not possible to

altogether prevent it, but stop the  {177}

interruption just as soon as possible. Just a

little word plainly but courteously spoken will

usually prevent it, but at any cost insist upon

being left alone.

 

XIV. DON'T BE IN A HURRY.

 

One of the commonest and gravest faults in

Christian work today is haste. We are too anxious

for immediate results, and so we do superficial

work. It is very noticeable how many of those with

whom Christ dealt came out slowly; Nicodemus,

Joseph, Peter, and even Paul (though the final

step in his case seems very sudden) were cases in

point. It was three days even after the personal

appearance of Jesus to Paul on the way to

Damascus, before the latter came out clearly into

the light and openly confessed Christ. (Acts

22:16.) One man with whom slow but thorough work

has been done, and who at last has been brought

out clearly for Christ and who knows just where he

stands and what to do, is better than a dozen with

whom hasty work has been done, who think they have

accepted Christ, when in reality they have not. It

is often a wise policy to plant a truth in a man's

heart and leave it to work. The seed on rocky

ground springs up quickly, but withers as quickly.

 

XV. GET THE PERSON WITH WHOM YOU ARE DEALING ON

HIS KNEES BEFORE GOD.

 

This rule has exceptions. Sometimes it is not

possible to get the person to kneel, and sometimes

it is not wise; but it is wonderful how many

difficulties disappear in prayer, and how readily

stubborn people yield when they are brought into

the very presence of God Himself. I remember

talking with a young woman in an inquiry room for

about two hours, and making no apparent headway,

but when at last we knelt in prayer, in less than

five minutes she was rejoicing in our Savior.

Sometimes it is well to have a few words of prayer

before you deal with an individual at all, but of

course this is not at all wise in many cases;

however, in almost every case it is wise if the

person is willing to pray, to have a few words of

prayer before you close. If the way of life has

been made perfectly clear to the inquirer, have

him also lead in prayer. There are those who

object to getting an unsaved person to pray, but

there is clear Bible warrant for it. Cornelius was

not a saved  {178}  man. This is perfectly clear

from Acts 11:14, nevertheless he was sincerely

seeking the light, and God sent him word that his

prayers had come up for a memorial before Him.

Now, any one who is honestly seeking light, even

though he has not as yet that knowledge of Jesus

that brings salvation, is in practically the same

position as Cornelius, and one of the best things

to do is to get that one to pray. It is certainly

right for a sinner seeking pardon through the

atoning blood to pray. (Luke 18:13-14.) Some may

say, "One who has no faith has no right to pray."

But such a one has faith, his prayer is the first

evidence of that faith. (Romans 10:13-14.)

 

XVI. WHENEVER YOU SEEM TO FAIL IN ANY GIVEN CASE,

GO HOME AND PRAY OVER IT AND STUDY TO SEE WHY YOU

FAILED. NEVER GIVE UP A CASE BECAUSE OF ONE

FAILURE.

 

If you have been at a loss to know what Scripture

to use, study this book to see the different

classes we meet and how to deal with them, and

find out where this person belongs and how to deal

with him, and then go back if you can, and try

again. In any case you will be better prepared for

the next case of the same kind. The greatest

success in this work comes through many apparent

defeats. It will be well to frequently study these

hints and suggestions, and see if your failure has

come through neglect of them. But be sure to take

to God in prayer the case in which you yourself

have failed.

 

XVII. BEFORE PARTING WITH THE ONE WHO HAS ACCEPTED

CHRIST, BE SURE TO GIVE HIM DEFINITE INSTRUCTIONS

AS TO HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

 

These instructions will be found at the close of

Chapter Five. It is well to give these

instructions in some permanent form. For this

purpose two tracts have been written by the author

of this book, one called "The Christian Life

Card," and the other "How to Make a Success of the

Christian Life." Either of these can be secured

from the Bible Institute Colportage Association,

Chicago.

 

XVIII. WHEN YOU HAVE LED ANY ONE TO CHRIST, FOLLOW

HIM UP AND HELP HIM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS

CHRISTIAN LIFE.

 

There is nothing sadder in Christian work today

than the number who are led to Christ, and then

neglected. Such are almost  {179}  certain to get

on very poorly. No greater mistake could be

possible. The work of following up those who are

converted is as important as the work of leading

them to Christ, and as a rule no one can do it so

well as the person who  has been used in their

conversion.

 

All the methods of dealing in personal work, given

in the foregoing chapters, will suggest texts and

lines of thought for helpful sermons.

 

{End of the CDLF etext of _Personal Work_: Book

One of "How To Work For Christ"}

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