Lin and I met a young lady who, when we asked her if she had opened her heart and invited Christ in, said she had not. She shared with us that she could not promise to God that she would not fail and not sin. She could not lie to God.
We reminded her of the day when Peter stepped out of the boat. “If you are Christ,” Peter said to Jesus as He walked on the water, “bid me come to you.”
We reminded her that Jesus answered, “Come.”
“You are like Peter was that day,” we showed her. Peter was courageous, but he lacked the ability to follow through with his faith.
“And what did Jesus do?” I asked – “and what did Peter say next?”
“Lord help me!”
“And immediately,” we reminded her, “Jesus reached forth His arm and pulled Peter into the boat.”
He saved Peter when Peter couldn’t save himself,” we shared, and that is what it is like being a Christian.
“We’re not asking you to commit yourself to Him,” we told her, “We’re asking you to let Him commit Himself to you. We learn along life’s way to trust Him because He will always come to us when we cry out to Him.”
That young girl experienced being set free. Immediately her countenance changed. Immediately her confidence became real and she was set free from the religious bondage that had plagued her from early childhood. She has since gone out of her way on several occasions to thank us.
During our same days when we have shared the love of God some times we have been rudely told to back off. We think there is a growing opposition to our street missionary efforts. Still, as Jesus taught when openly sharing of the Gospel first began and when doing so could mean one’s life, “The field is ripe for harvest” and there is nothing to Lin and I more valuable in life – and also to God – than that harvesters will do the work of harvesting for God.
Satan makes us think inward, think religiously, think hypocritically that sinners are the “other” people. The Holy Spirit; however, stirs that love in our hearts:
Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.
Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.
Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.
Refrain
Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.
Refrain
Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.
In 1910 a war was being waged against the Bible being God’s word: Liberalism was rising to influence in Christian academic circles. At the same time Wilbur Chapman wrote these words and revival flooded American soil.
They are words born of experience. They are the truth, the gospel simply put – as it should be. This was my pastor’s favorite hymn, his lasting legacy and is his family’s constant theme.
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.
Hallelujah … thank You Father for sending to us one who was willing to labor at the harvest.
Thank You, Father for sending your Son.
Thank You, Father for sending to us the Holy Spirit. And thank you Father, for those who through the years have both sown and reaped for you.
Buddy