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Christ’s Object Lessons
“Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such
is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever
shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall
in no wise enter therein.”
Luke 18:16, 17
.
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saying, “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me.”
Isaiah 8:18
.
This is true home missionary work, and it is as helpful to those
who do it as to those for whom it is done. By our faithful interest for
the home circle we are fitting ourselves to work for the members of
the Lord’s family, with whom, if loyal to Christ, we shall live through
eternal ages. For our brethren and sisters in Christ we are to show the
same interest that as members of one family we have for one another.
And God designs that all this shall fit us to labor for still others.
As our sympathies shall broaden and our love increase, we shall find
everywhere a work to do. God’s great human household embraces the
world, and none of its members are to be passed by with neglect.
Wherever we may be, there the lost piece of silver awaits our
search. Are we seeking for it? Day by day we meet with those who
take no interest in religious things; we talk with them, we visit among
them; do we show an interest in their spiritual welfare? Do we present
Christ to them as the sin-pardoning Saviour? With our own hearts
warm with the love of Christ, do we tell them about that love? If we do
not, how shall we meet these souls—lost, eternally lost—when with
them we stand before the throne of God?
The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know its worth,
go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours
of anguish, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood. Look
upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. Hear that despairing cry, “My
God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
Mark 15:34
. Look upon
the wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that
Christ risked all. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At
the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would
have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul.
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If you are in communion with Christ, you will place His estimate
upon every human being. You will feel for others the same deep love
that Christ has felt for you. Then you will be able to win, not drive, to