43 An Important Question:

An Important Question:
What Have I Done to Save a Soul Today?

Thousands are perishing around me! Hell is enlarging itself! God saves souls by human instrumentality. He saves by the simplest means. He points to some just on the verge of Hell, and says, "Save them with fear, plucking them out of the fire." Paul’s object was by all means to save some. He became all things to all men, that he might save the more. What have I done this day in order to save a soul from death? Have I pleaded with God, as one should plead for the deliverance of a never-dying soul from eternal flames? Have I spoken kindly and affectionately to anyone about sin, and the salvation which is in the Lord Jesus? Have I given a tract, or a little booklet, accompanying it with fervent prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit to attend it? "A tract may save a soul." God may speak by it — it may suggest a thought, which may work, and work, until the Savior be sought and found. And can I, believing this, neglect to give away tracts? A word spoken, or a passage quoted, may save a soul. God has often used such simple means as these. And shall I neglect to speak to those about me, or fear to set God’s word before them. A letter written to a friend, has saved a soul. God works by letters written out of love to his name, with zeal for his glory, in order to bring sinners to his throne. And shall I fail to write, when I cannot speak to my friends — to warn them to flee from the wrath to come.

Oh, if we all prayed for sinners, realizing their great danger, and dreadful doom — if we took advantage of the opportunities that offer, to speak of Jesus, to those who are perishing around us — if we gave tracts and little books to those we meet, praying God to bless them — if once a week, or oftener, we wrote a letter to some friend, to direct attention to eternal things — how much more good might be done, how much evil might be prevented, how many souls may be saved, how greatly our congregations may be increased, how the Lord Jesus would be honored, and what glory we should bring to our God, and HIS cause! This would prove, that we really believe God’s word, that we sympathize with sinners in their danger, that we are in downright earnest to save souls from death, that we wish to see God’s church flourish, that we realize our obligation and responsibility. Then God, even our God, would bless us.

Doubts and fears would leave us, joy and peace would be enjoyed by us, and all Christians would confess that we are the seed which the Lord has blessed. O, my brethren, let us examine ourselves daily! Let us ask ourselves every night, What have I done to save a soul this day? If I do nothing, can I be guiltless? If I do nothing, can I be honest to my profession? If I do nothing, is it possible that I can understand the gospel? If I do nothing, can I be living in fellowship with God? If I do nothing, ought I to be a member of a church of Christ? If I do nothing, ought I not to give up all profession of religion at once and forever? Conscience, be honest, and speak!

How few realize the value of the soul! How few make any hearty, direct, and daily attempts to save souls from eternal death! And yet this is the most important business in which we can be engaged. Nothing will be reflected on with such pleasure on a death-bed, nothing will be reviewed with such delight from the judgment-seat of Christ. He answers not the end of his existence, who does not habitually seek to honor God, by leading souls to the Savior. He does not drink into the Spirit of Christ, who does not strive to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. Of course we can only do so instrumentally. But it is thus that God brings men to repentance and faith. He is the great agent, but he uses human instruments, and he will use us if we are fit for his work, and desirous to be employed for his glory. He puts honor upon us by employing us. He meets us, blesses us, and makes us happy when we are so employed: and thus we prove the truth of his word, that in keeping his commandments there is a great reward. If, therefore, we would be happy in our Christian profession — if we would win honors to be worn before the throne of God and of the Lamb — if we would escape the snares of Satan, and the delusions of the world — if we would adorn the doctrine of our Lord and Savior — if we would make a good impression upon the present generation, and secure a good name in that which follows — if we would live like saints, and die like conquerors — let us daily do something to save souls from death. The work is most important, our opportunities daily become less, the honor is unspeakably glorious, and the reward is as lasting as eternity — let us therefore daily endeavor to save souls from death. Let us speak to those we can, and write to those we cannot. Let us make it our business, and follow it as our pleasure; nor rest satisfied until we can say with our beloved Lord, "My work is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work." Truly we have been guilty; let us feel it, confess it, obtain pardon for the past, and plead for grace for the future. Oh, that every member of the Church of Christ would act thus, then the Church of Jesus would soon look "forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Thus says the Lord, "He who converts a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."