Chapter 119—Fishers of Men
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19
.
Divine grace in the newly converted soul is progressive. It gives an
increase of grace, which is received, not to be hidden under a bushel, but to
be imparted, that others may be benefited. He who is truly converted will
work to save others who are in darkness.
When a crisis comes in the life of any soul, and you attempt to give
counsel or admonition, your words will have only the weight of influence
for good that your own example and spirit have gained for you. You must
be good before you can do good. You cannot exert an influence that will
transform others until your own heart has been humbled and refined and
made tender by the grace of Christ. When this change has been wrought in
you, it will be as natural for you to live to bless others as it is for the rosebush
to yield its fragrant bloom.
He whose heart is filled with the grace of God and love for his perishing
fellow men will find opportunity, wherever he may be placed, to speak a
word in season to those who are weary. Christians are to work for their
Master in meekness and lowliness, holding fast to their integrity amid the
noise and bustle of life.
We should strive to understand the weakness of others. We know little of
the heart trials of those who have been bound in chains of darkness and who
lack resolution and moral power....
We become too easily discouraged over the souls who do not at once
respond to our efforts. Never should we cease to labor for a soul while there
is one gleam of hope. Precious souls cost our self-sacrificing Redeemer too
dear a price to be lightly given up to the tempter’s power.... Without a helping
hand many would never recover themselves, but by patient, persistent effort
they may be uplifted. Such need tender words, kind consideration, tangible
help.... Christ is able to uplift the most sinful and place them where they will
be acknowledged as children of God, joint heirs with Christ to the immortal
182