Working for Outcasts
181
A Battle Fought Again and Again—No random, haphazard,
desultory work is to be done. To get fast hold of souls ready to perish
means more than praying for a drunkard and then, because he weeps
and confesses the pollution of his soul, declaring him saved. Over
and over again the battle must be fought.—
Testimonies for the Church
8:196
.
You must hold fast to those whom you are trying to help, else
victory will never be yours. They will be continually tempted to evil.
Again and again they will be almost overcome by the craving for strong
drink; again and again they may fall; but do not, because of this, cease
your efforts.—
The Ministry of Healing, 173
.
The Work Not in Vain—When some, their human efforts united
with the divine, endeavor to reach to the very depths of human woe
and misery, God’s blessing will rest richly upon them. Even though
but few accept the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, their work will not
be in vain; for one soul is precious, very precious, in the sight of God.
Christ would have died for one soul in order that that one might live
through the eternal ages....
Many souls are being rescued, wrenched from Satan’s hand, by
faithful workers. Someone must have a burden of soul to find those
[250]
who have been lost to Christ. The rescue of one soul over whom Satan
has triumphed causes joy among the heavenly angels. There are those
who have destroyed in themselves the moral image of God. The gospel
net must gather in these poor outcasts. Angels of God will cooperate
with those who are engaged in this work, who make every effort to
save perishing souls, to give them opportunities which many have
never had. There is no other way of reaching them but in Christ’s way.
He ever worked to relieve suffering and teach righteousness. Only thus
can sinners be raised from the depths of degradation.—
Testimonies
for the Church 8:72, 73
.
To Labor in Love—The workers must labor in love, feeding,
cleansing, and clothing those who need their help. In this way these
outcasts are prepared to know that someone cares for their souls. The
Lord has shown me that many of these poor outcasts from society will,
through the ministration of human agencies, cooperate with divine
power and seek to restore the moral image of God in others for whom
Christ has paid the price of His own blood. They will be called the
elect of God, precious, and will stand next to the throne of God....