Salvation in Christian preaching centers on deliverance from sin through faith in Jesus Christ, who alone offers cleansing, new life, and eternal security (Acts 4:12, John 3:16). Illustrations often use images of rescue, transformation, and choice—such as a lifeline, a gift to be unwrapped, or Noah's ark—to emphasize the urgency and completeness of accepting Christ's saving work.
Jesus rescues believers from destruction, symbolized by a worm saved from fire.
An Indian, when asked what the Lord had done for him, gathered some dry leaves into a circle, and, placing a worm in the centre, set them on fire. As the flames drew nearer on every side, and were about to consume the worm, he lifted it out, and, placing it safely on a rock, looked up and said, "This is what Jesus did for me."
A brand plucked from fire grows into a beautiful, thriving vine, illustrating salvation.
A minister of the gospel one day saw a piece of ivy intwined round a brand in the fire. He took it out, planted it in front of his house. It took root, grew, grew higher, and spread wider, until it covered the front most luxuriantly, forming a beautiful ornament, and admired by the passers-by. To all inquiries, he gives the history of its planting and growth, and then asks the question, "Is not this a brand plucked from the burning?"
Salvation is a free, certain gift from Christ for all who accept it.
Shall the husbandman, for the sake of the harvest, waste his strength, and bear the burden and heat of the day, and then, when the ripe corn tempts the sickle, in very wantonness refuse to reap, and let it be destroyed? Shall the Lord Jesus undertake to suffer for us, shall he actually toil and groan and grieve, and die for us, and then let the fruit of all his sufferings be lost, and leave us to perish in our sins? No! it cannot be. It is impossible to exaggerate the certainty and freeness of that salvation that is in Christ for all who will but lay hold of it. It is impossible that any thing in the universe can lie between you and eternal life, if you but accept it as "the gift" of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Caird.
Salvation is a gift from God, not something to be earned or purchased.
Once there was a poor woman who greatly desired a bunch of grapes from the king's conservatory for her sick child. She took half a crown, and went to the king's gardener, and tried to purchase the grapes, but was rudely repulsed. A second effort, with more money, met like results. It happened that the king's daughter heard the angry words of the gardener, and the crying of the woman, and inquired into the matter. When the poor woman had told her story, the princess said, "My dear woman, you were mistaken. My father is not a merchant, but a king; his business is not to sell, but to give;" whereupon she plucked the bunch from the vine, and gently dropped it into the woman's apron. So the woman obtained as a free gift what the labor of many days and nights had proved unable to procure her.
Salvation can happen instantly when faith is given by God, as in the jailer's conversion.
God can do much work in a short time. Many are the examples in the Acts of the Apostles of God's working this faith in men's hearts, even like lightning falling from heaven. So, in the same hour that Paul and Silas began to preach, the jailer repented, believed, and was baptized, as were three thousand by St. Peter on the Day of Pentecost, who all repented and believed on his first preaching. And, blessed be God! there are now many living proofs that he is still mighty to save. J. Wesley.
There is great joy among men and angels over newly-born souls in salvation.
A highly esteemed young man was rescued from the water, and appeared to be dead. At length, he began to show signs of life; and a thrill of joy ran through the crowd as it was whispered around, "He breathes!" How much greater the joy of men and angels over newly-born souls!
Neglecting salvation leads to certain ruin, like neglect causing physical or moral decay.
Simply "neglect the great salvation," and you will make your everlasting ruin sure. Many foolish, faithless parents have stood by the grave of a child which they dug with their own hands. How? Did they administer slow poison, or strike an assassin-knife through the young heart? No; but they killed their child just as surely by simple neglect of the first laws of health. Many a father, too, has wrung his hands in agony before a prison-cell which held a ruined son, or over the letter which told him of a son's disgrace; and on those very hands rested the guilt of that boy's ruin. Why? Had they led that son into sabbath-breaking or theft or profligacy? No; but they had let the youth alone, and left him to rush into them unrestrained. Neglect was the boy's ruin. There is no need that the man in a skiff amid Niagara's rapids should row towards the cataract: resting on his oars is quite enough to send him over the awful verge. Cuyler.
Salvation requires effort; neglect leads to spiritual ruin just as in worldly affairs.
Most of the calamities of life are caused by simple neglect. By neglect of education, children grow up in ignorance; by neglect, a farm grows up to weeds and briers; by neglect, a house goes to decay; by neglect of sowing, a man will have no harvest; by neglect of reaping, the harvest would rot in the fields. No worldly interest can prosper where there is neglect; and why may it not be so in religion? There is nothing in earthly affairs that is valuable that will not be ruined if it is not attended to; and why may it not be so with the concerns of the soul? Let no one infer, therefore, that because he is not a drunkard, or an adulterer, or a murderer, that therefore he will be saved. Such an inference would be as irrational as it would be for a man to infer, that, because he is not a murderer, his farm will produce a harvest; or that, because he is not an adulterer, therefore his merchandise will take care of itself. Salvation would be worth nothing if it cost no effort; and there will be no salvation where no effort is put forth. Dr. A. Barnes.
Salvation is like a fallen vine restored by connection to the living bough, Christ.
The plan of salvation is likened unto a vine which has fallen down from the boughs of an oak. It lies prone upon the ground; it crawls in the dust; and all its tendrils and claspers, which were formed to hold it in the lofty place from which it had fallen, are twined around the weed and the bramble, and, having no strength in itself, it lies fruitless and corrupting, tied down to the base things of the earth. Now, how shall the vine arise from its fallen condition? But one way is possible for the vine to rise again to the place from whence it had fallen. The bough of the lofty oak must be let down, or some communication must be formed connected with the top of the oak, and at the same time with the earth; then, when the bough of the oak was let down to the place where the vine lay, its tender claspers might fasten upon it, and, thus supported, it might raise itself up, and bear fruit again in the lofty place from whence it fell. So with man. His affections had fallen from God, and were fastened to the base things of the earth. Jesus Christ came down, and by his humanity stood upon the earth, and by his divinity raised his hands, and united himself with the deity of the everlasting Father. Thus the fallen affections of man may fasten upon him, and twine around him, until they again ascend to the bosom of the Godhead from whence they fell.
— J. B. Walker
Judas sold his salvation cheaply, but those who bought it paid dearly with damnation.
Judas sold his salvation very cheap, — for thirty pieces of silver; and yet they that paid the money paid very dear; for they bought their own damnation. Venning.
A soldier’s Bible miraculously diverted a bullet, symbolizing God’s protection of the soul.
George Creedy went into the battle of White-oak Swamp with a Testament in his pocket. A Minie-ball shattered his arm, then struck the Testament, splitting it; and was thereby diverted from its course, and the soldier's life saved. How often has the Testament turned the missiles of death from the exposed soul?
Depicts a savior rescuing boys from danger, illustrating Christ's saving work.
Three little boys were playing on a high point of the seashore. The tide flowing in, they were surrounded by water, and unable to escape. A fisherman discovered their situation, and rescued them just as the water reached to their necks. He was the boys' savior.
Jesus lovingly seeks and rescues lost believers, restoring them with cleansing and care.
Here's a farmer owns a hundred sheep. Well, at night he counts 'em; and he makes one short. He goes over them again: perhaps he's reckoned wrong. No: its only ninety-nine again. He goes in to his wife, who is sitting by the kitchen-fire waiting till he comes to supper. "Why, lass, there's one gone. Poor thing! he must have got over the wall." (Ah! the Devil's always ready to help a poor sheep of Christ over the wall.) He starts in search of him. By and by he sees the foot-marks. Ah, yonder he is! But now he has to mind where he treads: he has to make a spring now and then over some boggy place; and the land is all sopping wet. But he sees the track of the wanderer; and now he hears "Ba-a!" and the great soft eyes of the creature stare up at him from a quagmire, as if to say, "O master, help me out!" He takes him up, and puts him over his shoulders; and the black mud drips down his jacket: but he doesn't mind that. At last, he comes to the brook that skirts his orchard; and then he washes all the filth away, and the poor thing trots into the fold with such a happy bleat, as if to say, "Thank you, sir!" Now, that's how Jesus fetches back his wanderer; only he doesn't put him across his shoulders. He puts him into his bosom; and then he takes and washes him in the fountain filled with his own precious blood. That's what he did for me eight years ago. And that's what he is ready to do for you. Hallelujah! Richard Weaver.
God joyfully welcomes sinners returning to Him with love and forgiveness.
Every loving word that God speaks to us acts back again, and makes music in his heart. He never says with a seowl, "Here comes that poor, limping sinner again." The path of the sinner back to God is brighter and brighter all the way up to the smile of the face and the touch of the hand; and that is salvation.
— Beecher
A shipwreck vision led a soldier to repentance and salvation through Christ.
Capt. B.'s regiment was quartered at Malta. From the Auberge de Castile, he could command a beautiful view of the harbor. Standing one day at his window, he beheld a ship sailing out of the harbor. As he gazed upon the beautiful object, he observed her suddenly tremble: the masts went overboard as she sank. She had struck on a rock; and so severe was the shock, that she instantly went down. The solemn spectacle was the voice of God to his conscience. Such was its arousing effect on his feelings, he instantly fell upon his knees, exclaiming, "Such will be the shipwreck of my soul, O Lord! if thou dost not undertake for me." From that moment, he saw himself a sinner, and, seeking Jesus, found salvation through his peace-speaking blood. Reid.
Claiming salvation without embracing its means is folly and self-deception.
The Duke D'Alva, at the Fuyck Scence, before Haarlem, having promised the soldiers their lives, caused them to perish with hunger. Being confronted with his promise, he answered that he had given them assurance of their lives, but not that they should have meat or drink. Such is the folly of him that talks of saving his soul, but denies it the means of salvation. Spencer.
A kind word and Scripture can convict and lead a hardened sinner to salvation.
The following anecdote is told of Richard Weaver. In a railroad carriage, a navy was swearing terribly. The guard, knowing Richard's habit of speaking to every one, whispered to him, "Better let him alone: he is so violent, that he would strike you if his passions were raised." Richard got close to him, and said, "Give me your hand, my friend." He then whispered into his ear, "Why are you calling on my Father?"—"I know nothing of your father," answered the swearer. "I'll tell you his name and character," said Richard; and then he repeated the text, "God so loved the world," &c., and enlarged upon it. As if struck by some sudden conviction, the man answered, "These were the last words my mother said to me."—"Then let us pray," said Richard, "that God may make them the means of your salvation." They did so; and Richard met him not long after a changed man.
A single earnest word can prompt repentance and bring revival to many.
"Make one honest effort for your soul's salvation," said a professor of Brown University to young Malcom, then a student in the institution. The student went to his room, and shut himself up with God. The expression, "Make one honest effort," sounded in his ears. He obeyed. He struggled. He cast himself on Christ. He came from that room an altered man. In after-years, the preaching of our dear friend Malcolm has been blessed with revival influences that have brought scores to the cross, among them, two now in the Presbyterian ministry. "I never can forget that word which was once whispered to me in an inquiry-meeting," said a Christian to his friend. "What word?"—"It was the word 'eternity.' A young pious companion, who was yearning for the salvation of my soul, came up to my pew, and simply whispered 'eternity' in my ear with solemn tenderness, and left me. But that word did not leave me: it drove me to the cross for salvation." Cuyler.
Choosing earthly riches over heavenly treasures results in eternal loss.
A merchant of ——, engaged in a lucrative trade, was convinced by the Spirit of God that he was an heir of hell, but might, by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, become an heir of heaven. The "god of this world" tempted him with much earthly gain, and God, in the person of the Holy Ghost, offered him durable riches and righteousness. He was fully convinced, as he said, that the riches of earth and the riches of heaven were set before him, and that he could not obtain both, but might have his choice. He glanced at heaven's durable riches, and then settled his covetous gaze upon earth's glittering gold. He paused, feeling his choice was for eternity, but strangely, madly said, "Give me my portion here." His prayer was answered. His riches were multiplied. But, said he, "I know that to gain the world, I have lost my soul."
# PUBLIC DANCES.
modate him as comfortably as usual; but the pastor, without being disconcerted, asked him to have his supper served to him in a corner of the room. When it was ready, he begged the assembly to grant him a few moments silence, that he might, according to his practice, make an audible prayer before partaking of the meal. He accordingly commenced praying, but before he had finished, the dancers had disappeared.
A sailor was saved spiritually and physically through the Bible and prayer at sea.
The late Rev. Leigh Richmond was once speaking at a meeting at Edinburgh, for the advancement of religion among sailors, when he relates the following facts:— "When I reflect on the character and circumstances of seamen, I cannot without peculiar interest recollect the time, when a young man went to sea, whose feelings were ill suited to all the contingencies of a sea-faring life. I remember that the time came when it was said the vessel in which he had sailed had been wrecked, and that the young man was dead, and no intimation had reached the ears of his affectionate parents, of any change in his views as to the things of God. And I remember the time when that young man was so far restored again to his family, that although they saw him not, they heard that he had been saved from the shipwreck. That young man, too, was found by the blessed God while on the ocean with the Bible only, which his father at parting had put into his hand. It was blessed to him in the midst of the carnal companions by whom he was surrounded. This means of grace, without any human instruction, was made effectual to the salvation of his soul. The time came when that young man, who had been a foe to religion, lifted up, in the Bay of Gibraltar, at his mast-head, a Bethel flag, and summoned his sailors to prayer, and prayed with them, and bade the missionary exhort them.—And when I tell you that that young man is my own son, you will see that I may well say, God bless the Sailors' Friend!"
A Bible given by a dying child converted a former enemy into a zealous advocate.
BED REQUEST. —A young man once went into the shop of a tradesman at Reading, where the subject of the Bible Society was mentioned, when he expressed, in language rancorous and bitter, his hatred of the institution. His passion was too violent to allow at that time a word of remonstrance to be addressed to him. The fact was mentioned to a little girl, a daughter of the tradesman, who was then on her death-bed. She had felt the power of Divine truth, and recommended that they should subscribe for a Bible, and present it to him. The request was attended to, and the Bible was given him, with an account of the dying child's concern for his welfare. He received it with gratitude, carefully perused it, was deeply impressed with its truths, and read it to his fellow-servants. In a word, he became a zealous and consistent advocate for the Divine book, which he had formerly so much opposed.
A former pagan chief joyfully embraces salvation in Christ, confident in eternal life at death.
Mr. Williams relates, in his "Missionary Enterprises," that a delightful instance of the power of the gospel is to be met with in the history of a chief named Vara, a native of the island of Aimco. In the time of his ignorance he was a procurer of human sacrifices: but he became eventually a humble and devoted Christian, and to the day of his death he adorned his profession. He was visited many times in his dying moments by Mr. Orsmond, whose account of his death I will here subjoin.
On seeing his end approach, I said to him, "Are you sorry that you cast away your lying gods, by which you used to gain so much property?" He was aroused from his lethargy, and with tears of pleasure sparkling in his eyes, he exclaimed, "O no, no! What! can I be sorry for casting away death for life? Jesus is my rock, the fortification in which my soul takes shelter." I said, "Tell me on what you found your hopes of future blessedness?" He replied, "I have been very wicked; but a great King from the other side of the skies sent his ambassadors with terms of peace. We could not tell, for many years, what these ambassadors wanted. At length, Pomare obtained a victory, and invited all his subjects to come and take refuge under the wing of Jesus, and I was one of the first to do so. The blood of Jesus is my foundation. I grieve that all my children do not love him. Had they known the misery we endured in the reign of the devil, they would gladly take the gospel in exchange for their follies. Jesus is the best King; he gives a pillow without thorns." After a little time I asked him if he were afraid to die; when, with almost youthful energy, he replied, "No, no! The canoe is on the sea, the sails are spread; she is ready for the gale. I have a good Pilot to guide me, and a good haven to receive me. My outside man and my inside man differ. Let the one rot till the trump shall sound, but let my soul wing her way to the throne of Jesus!"
Whitefield's preaching could not build a ship but could save a soul.
A shipbuilder was once asked what he thought of Mr. Whitefield. "Think!" he replied; "I tell you, sir, every Sunday that I go to my parish church, I can build a ship from stem to stern under the sermon; but were I to save my soul, under Mr. W. I could not lay a single plank."
A dying leper trusted Christ’s gospel message and found salvation.
I heard the other day, said the Rev. Mr. Abeel, at a public meeting, from one of the brethren who had formerly been in Siberia, but was recalled from the field at the elevation of the Emperor Nicholas to the throne, a case of the most thrilling interest. That brother told me, that, as he was passing one day among a collection of Tartar tents, he found a man lying in the last stage of that loathsome disease, the leprosy. As the Missionary looked upon him, he lifted up his death-stricken eyes, and fastening them upon his countenance, said, "I know you." "How can that be," replied the Missionary, "have you ever seen me before?" "Oh yes, I have," replied the dying man. "Did you not preach three years ago in such a Bazaar?" "I cannot really tell," replied the Missionary, "I have no particular remembrance of it." "Don't you remember," said the man, in a tone of surprise, "you stood upon the steps of such a house?" "Oh yes," answered the other, "I do remember it now." "And do you remember what you preached there?" "No," said the Missionary, "I have no recollection." "You told us," said the man, "about Jesus who died to save sinners, and that men of every nation might come to him and he would receive and save them: Oh sir, I never heard such things before. I then believed in Jesus; I received him as my Savior, I never heard of him before or since. But now I am dying, and am looking to none other to help me." Penetrated with what he had heard and seen, he went to another tent, and found men drinking. He asked them, "Why do you not go to your brother? he lies there dying with nobody to help him." "Brother!" exclaimed they with indignation, "he is no brother of ours; he is a dog; and has abandoned us, and his soul is going down swiftly to hell." The missionary, thus repulsed, went back to comfort his dying Christian brother. He entered the solitary tent but "the spirit had fled." There lay the follower of the Lamb, dead, and with none to bury him, insomuch that the missionary was obliged to dig a hasty grave, and roll into it the emaciated and half consumed body.
### 281. Miscellaneous Illustrations.
A dying woman is converted through hearing the gospel after a popish priest's rites.
Mr. Guthrie, an eminent minister in Scotland, was one evening traveling home very late. Having lost his way on a moor, he laid the reins on the neck of his horse, and committed himself to the direction of Providence. After long traveling over ditches and fields, the horse brought him to a farmer's house, into which he went, and requested permission to sit by the fire till morning, which was granted. A popish priest was administering extreme unction to the mistress of the house, who was dying. Mr. Guthrie said nothing till the priest had retired: then he went forward to the dying woman, and asked her if she enjoyed peace in the prospect of death, in consequence of what the priest had said and done to her. She answered, that she did not; on which he spoke to her of salvation through the atoning blood of the Redeemer. The Lord taught her to understand, and enabled her to believe the message of mercy, and she died triumphing in Jesus Christ her Savior. After witnessing this astonishing scene, Mr. Guthrie mounted his horse, and rode home. On his arrival, he told Mrs. Guthrie he had seen a great wonder during the night. "I came," said he, "to a farm-house, where I found a woman in a state of nature; I saw her in a state of grace; and left her in a state of glory."
A child's earnest request leads her parents to salvation through hearing the gospel.
A little girl one Sabbath morning was much affected under the sermon, and on her return home, earnestly entreated her mother would accompany her to chapel in the evening to hear how delightfully the minister talked about Jesus Christ. The child was so intent on this object that she made the request with tears, and the mother, at last, consented to accompany her importunate girl to the chapel. The preacher chose for his text, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation," Rom. i. 16. The woman was seriously and effectually impressed by the word of God, was led earnestly to seek salvation, and obtained mercy by faith in Christ Jesus. The wife now naturally became anxious for the salvation of her husband, and persuaded him also to attend the chapel. He also submitted to the influence of the truth, and both the parents became grateful to God for the child whose importunity led them to hear the gospel of salvation.
Saving one soul brings more joy in heaven than great scientific discoveries.
Dr. Scott, in one of his lectures to young clergymen, says: "I must own that I feel in my best moments, that I had rather be the author of the 'Discourse on Repentance,' than of Sir Isaac Newton's Principia; for the salvation of one soul gives joy in heaven, but we read not that angels notice philosophical discoveries."
### TO GOD'S WILL.
Happy world! Our Father who art in heaven, whose will is always wise and always good, thy will be thus done on earth as it is done in heaven!
Jesus can break the hardest wills and save even the worst sinners.
*No need to despair of the conversion of those who commit the worst outrages against Christianity. Jesus can break down the most stubborn will.*
Jesus mercifully helps those willing to trust Him, even overruling nature.
Jesus delights to help the helpless and manifests His mercy toward those who are willing to be helped. Can overrule the powers of nature on behalf of trusting souls
Salvation cannot be earned by self-righteousness but must be founded by God.
Cannot be secured by building tower of self-righteousness up to heaven. Must have a foundation laid in heaven by God Himself. Man at his best outside of Christ, builds "under the heavens."
A praying mother's faith brings deliverance for her child from Satan's power.
Concern for her daughter who was in Satan's power. A believing, praying mother takes her in prayer to Jesus and got complete deliverance for her. Child-like faith of the mother overcame serious obstacles
Self-righteousness blocks salvation; even the greatest moralist must humble himself to be saved.
If the greatest religionist and moralist who ever lived had to come down the ladder of self-righteousness before he could get saved, it is of no use for any man to go up. The chief of legalists acknowledges himself the "chief of sinners."
A slave girl’s release paper symbolizes the freedom found in Christ’s salvation.
In New Orleans, in the days of slavery, a young girl was placed upon the auctioneer’s block, surrounded by a large crowd. Finally she was sold for fourteen hundred dollars to a gentleman from the North, who had been the highest bidder. With a heavy heart and tearful eyes she prepared to leave with her new master, to sever, as she may have supposed, the tender ties binding her to home and mother. The next morning the man went to the shrinking girl and handed her a paper. “What is this?” “Why, this is a receipt and release showing that I paid the price demanded for you, and now I give you your liberty—you are free!” “O, sir,” she exclaimed, falling at his feet, “Let me follow you, let me be your willing slave.”
A wounded officer surrenders to Christ’s salvation as his last act before death.
In one of the army hospitals lay a wounded officer, about to enter the valley of death. While strong and rich he resisted God; but now, when conquered, was willing to listen to the terms of surrender. At first he could not understand them. At last the words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” applied to his soul with power by the Holy Ghost, reached his heart. His face grew brilliant. He raised himself from the pillow and, stretching out his arms, exclaimed with thrilling earnestness, “I accept the terms: I surrender!” That was his last word.
Christ offers refuge and protection to the fearful like a bird in a bosom.
One summer day, as Charles Wesley was sitting by an open window, a little bird attracted his attention. Just then a hawk came swooping toward the bird. The frightened little thing darted here and there trying to find a place of safety from the fierce grasp of the hawk. Seeing the open window, and a man sitting by, the bird flew toward it, and with beating heart and quivering wings, found shelter in Wesley’s bosom.
Ignoring God's offer can lead to missing salvation and eternal loss.
A young man in India received a letter from his father in England, but, as it contained no money, the son refused to read it. About a year after, while lying helpless in a hospital, he was led to read that letter. It told him that his father had purchased an estate for him, had sent money to bring him home, and affectionately urged his return. But, alas! it was too late.
Delaying salvation decisions can result in sudden judgment and lost opportunity.
A young man at the close of a meeting, was pressed to decide as to his soul’s salvation, but he said: “I will not do it tonight.” The Christian who was laboring with him said: “I insist that you either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation tonight.” “Well,” said he, “if you put it that way, I will reject it; there, now, the matter is settled.” On his way home on horseback, not knowing that a tree had fallen in the road, he struck against it and was killed.
Unexpected gospel witness leads a man to repentance and salvation even in deep darkness.
A diver observed at the bottom of the sea an oyster on a rock, with a piece of paper in its mouth, which he detached, and commenced to read through the goggles of his head-dress. It was a gospel tract, and, coming to him thus strangely and unexpectedly, so impressed his unconverted heart that he said, “I can hold out against God’s mercy in Christ no longer, since it pursues me thus.” He became, in the ocean’s depth, a repentant, sin-forgiven man.
The well of salvation never runs dry, symbolizing God's endless provision.
I remember being in a city where I noticed that the people resorted to a favorite well in one of the parks. I said to a man one day:
“Does the well never run dry?”
The man was drinking of the water out of the well; and as he stopped drinking, he smacked his lips, and said:
“They have never been able to pump it dry yet. They tried it a few years ago. They put the fire-engines to work, and tried all they could to pump the well dry; but they found there was a river flowing right under the city.”
Thank God, the well of salvation can never run dry either!
Sin wrecks us; salvation is accepting Christ and pulling toward the shore of safety.
A vessel was wrecked off the shore. Eager eyes were watching and strong arms manned the lifeboat. For hours they tried to reach that vessel through the great breakers that raged and foamed on the sandbank, but it seemed impossible. The boat appeared to be leaving the crew to perish. But after a while the captain and sixteen men were taken off, and the vessel went down.
“When the lifeboat came to you,” said a friend, “did you expect it had brought some tools to repair your old ship?”
“Oh, no,” was the response; “she was a total wreck. Two of her masts were gone, and if we had stayed mending her only a few minutes, we must have gone down sir.”
“When once off the old wreck and safe in the lifeboat what remained for you to do?”
“Nothing, sir, but just to pull for the shore.”
Man can’t save himself. He has been wrecked by sin, and his only safety lies in taking Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Christ’s atoning sacrifice alone can heal the soul and secure salvation.
I heard once of a man who went to England from the Continent, and brought letters with him to eminent physicians from the Emperor. The letters said:
“This man is a personal friend of mine, and we are afraid he is going to lose his reason. Do all you can for him.”
The doctor asked him if he had lost any dear friend in his own country, or any position of importance, of what it was that was weighing on his mind.
The young man said: “No; but my father and grandfather and myself were brought up infidels, and for the last two or three years this thought has been haunting me, ‘Where will I spend eternity?’ And the thought of it follows me day and night.”
The doctor said, “You have come to the wrong physician, but I will tell you of One who can cure you;” and he told him of Christ, and read to him the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, “With His stripes we are healed.”
The young man said, “Doctor, do you believe that?”
The doctor told him he did, and prayed and talked with him, and at last the clear light of Calvary shone on his soul. He had settled the question in his own mind at last, where he would spend eternity.
I ask you, sinner, to settle it now. It is for you to decide. Shall it be with the saints and martyrs and prophets, or in the dark caverns of hell, amidst blackness and darkness forever? Make haste to be wise; for “how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”
A personal experience of salvation creates genuine interest and delight in the Bible.
The lifeboat may have a tasteful bend and beautiful decoration, but these are nut the qualities for which I prize it; it was my salvation from the howling sea! So the interest which a regenerate soul takes in the Bible, is founded on a personal application to the heart of the saving truth which it contains. If there is no taste for this truth, there can be no relish for the Scriptures.— J. W. Alexander, D.D.
Our works show evidence of salvation, not the cause of it.
This work made William Wickham." When charged by the king for assuming the honour of that work to himself as the author, whereas he was only the overseer, he answered that he meant not that he made the work, but that the work made him, having before been very poor, and then in great credit. Lord, when we read in thy Word that we must work out our own salvation, thy meaning is not that our salvation should be the effect of our work, but our work the evidence of our salvation.
Christ's presence brings salvation and ends spiritual confusion.
Have you not seen people engaged in earnest work, who did not understand their business, apprentices, and other unskilful people, and muddling away time. They are making bad worse, and running great risk. Perhaps a great calamity will occur if the work is not done well and quickly. A first-rate workman is sent for. See, the man has come who understands the business. He cries, "Let me come! Stand out of my way! You are on the wrong tack, let me do it myself!" You have not blamed him for egotism, for the thing needed to be done, and he could do it, and the others could not. Everybody recognized the master workman and gave place to him. The announcement of his coming was the end of the muddle and the signal of hope. Even as Jesus comes to you sinners, and in His presence is your salvation.
Spiritual lethargy risks eternal death; urgent awakening is needed to avoid perdition.
In the higher and colder latitudes, when men feel a sleepiness stealing over them their companions stir them up, and rub them, and will not let them slumber; for to sleep is to wake no more. The man pleads, "Let me sleep for half an hour, and I shall be so refreshed." Alas! if he sleeps he shall do ill, for he will grow rigid in the death which frost brings to one. Go on, wise friends, and compassionately shake him! Hurry him to and fro; or rub him vigorously till he grows sore. I cannot get hold of you at this present hour with my hands, nor would I wish to give you a bodily shaking; but, ok, that I could do this spiritually and wake you up! I cannot leave you to sleep your soul into perdition.
Salvation is a priceless miracle of God's grace, like treasures saved from a fire.
The salvation of a single soul is a mass of miracles. I have heard of a fire which consumed the shop of a jeweller, and a number of costly treasures of gold and silver and precious stones, were found among the ruins, caked into a conglomerate of riches. What a salvage! Such is the salvation of a single man; it is a mass of priceless mercies melted into one inestimable ingot, dedicated to the praise of the glory of His grace, who makes us to be "Accepted in the Beloved," and "Saved in the Lord," with an everlasting salvation.
A broken sinner finds hope and joy in singing 'Just as I am' despite weakness.
It is told of John B. Gough how, seated one Sabbath in a church service, a strange man was ushered into the pew at his side. Conceiving a strong dislike for the man from his mottled face and twitching limbs and mumbled sounds, Mr. Gough eyed his seat-mate, when, during the organ interlude in singing the hymn, “Just as I am without one plea,” the stranger leaned toward him and asked how the next verse began. “Just as I am--poor, wretched, blind,” answered Mr. Gough. “That’s it,” sobbed the man, “I’m blind--God help me,” and he made an effort to join in the singing. Said Mr. Gough, in telling the incident, “After that the poor paralytic’s singing was as sweet to me as a Beethoven symphony.”
Taking God at His word brings salvation; faith must be a deliberate act now.
The following is one of Dwight L. Moody’s illustrations, with the exhortation that followed it:
It is recorded in history that some years ago a man was condemned to be put to death. When he came to lay his head on the block, the prince who had charge of the execution asked him if there was any one petition that he could grant him. All that the condemned man asked for was a glass of water. They went and got him a tumbler of water, but his hand trembled so that he could not get it to his mouth. The prince said to him, “Your life is safe until you drink that water.” He took the prince at his word, and dashed the water to the ground. They could not gather it up, and so he saved his life. My friend, you can be saved now by taking God at His word. The water of life is offered to “whosoever will.” Take it now, and live. May God give you grace to do so this moment! Let feelings go! Say in your heart, “I do believe, I will believe, I now believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart,” and life everlasting is yours!
Jesus saves people not just from hell but from their sins, bringing true spiritual sight.
In speaking once of his religious life, Captain Mahan, of the United States Navy, had this to say:
I happened one week-day in Lent into a church in Boston. The preacher--I have never known his name--interested me throughout; but one phrase only has remained: “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save His people”--here he lifted up his hands--“not from hell, but from their sins.” Almost the first words of the gospel! I had seen them for years, but at last I perceived them. Scales seemed to fall from my eyes, and I began to see Jesus and life as I had never seen them before.
Jesus removes sin from the prodigal to save his soul, like cutting away a diseased part.
In the corn-field you find the juicy ear overtaken by the deadly fungus. The farmer lifts his knife, and cuts away one-half of the ear, that he may save the sweet corn on the other half. From the prodigal, Jesus cut away his sins, that He might save the boy’s soul.
— N. D. HILLIS
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