“Go into the Highways and Hedges”
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midst of the wickedness of the great cities many of these souls are
to be found. Many of them are in very humble circumstances, and
because of this they are unnoticed by the world. There are many of
whom ministers and churches know nothing. But in lowly, miserable
places they are the Lord’s witnesses. They may have had little light and
few opportunities for Christian training, but in the midst of nakedness,
hunger, and cold they are seeking to minister to others. Let the stewards
of the manifold grace of God seek out these souls, visit their homes,
and through the power of the Holy Spirit minister to their needs. Study
the Bible with them and pray with them with that simplicity which the
Holy Spirit inspires. Christ will give His servants a message that will
be as the bread of heaven to the soul. The precious blessing will be
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carried from heart to heart, from family to family.
The command given in the parable, to “compel them to come in,”
has often been misinterpreted. It has been regarded as teaching that
we should force men to receive the gospel. But it denotes rather the
urgency of the invitation, and the effectiveness of the inducements
presented. The gospel never employs force in bringing men to Christ.
Its message is “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.”
Isaiah 55:1
. “The Spirit and the bride say, Come.... And whosoever
will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17
. The power
of God’s love and grace constrains us to come.
The Saviour says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any
man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will
sup with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20
. He is not repulsed
by scorn or turned aside by threatening, but continually seeks the lost
ones, saying, “How shall I give thee up?”
Hosea 11:8
. Although His
love is driven back by the stubborn heart, He returns to plead with
greater force, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The winning
power of His love compels souls to come in. And to Christ they say,
“Thy gentleness hath made me great.”
Psalm 18:35
.
Christ will impart to His messengers the same yearning love that
He Himself has in seeking for the lost. We are not merely to say,
“Come.” There are those who hear the call, but their ears are too
dull to take in its meaning. Their eyes are too blind to see anything
good in store for them. Many realize their great degradation. They
say, I am not fit to be helped; leave me alone. But the workers must
not desist. In tender, pitying love, lay hold of the discouraged and