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TOPIC: Torrey, R A - How To Work For Christ (Book 1) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 09 - BOOK ONE CHAPTER SEVEN
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HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES
We will find that a very large number of the persons whom we try to lead to Christ are really anxious to be saved, and know how, but are confronted with difficulties which they deem important or even insurmountable. Whenever it is possible, it is well to show such persons their need of Christ before taking up a specific difficulty. In this way many of the supposed difficulties are dissipated. Oftentimes even when people really are anxious to be saved, there is not that deep, clear, and intelligent knowledge of their need of Christ that is desirable. It is usually a waste of time to take up specific difficulties until there is this clear and definite sense of need.
I. "I AM TOO GREAT A SINNER."
This is a difficulty that is very real, and very often met, but fortunately it is also one with which it is very easy to deal. The method of treatment is as follows:
1. GENERAL TREATMENT. There is no better passage to use to meet this difficulty than 1Ti_1:15 :
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world TO SAVE SINNERS; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF."
This verse so exactly fits the case, that there is little need for comment. At the close of a Sunday morning service, I spoke to a man of intelligence and ability, but who had gone down into the deepest depth of sin. When asked why he was not a Christian, he replied, "I am too great a sinner to be saved." I turned him at once to 1Ti_1:15. No sooner had I read the verse than he replied, {56} "Well, I am the chief of sinners." "That verse means you, then." He replied, "It is a precious promise." I said, "Will you accept it not?" "I will." Then I said, "Let us kneel down and tell God so." We knelt down and he confessed to God his sins, and asked God for Christ's sake to forgive him. When he had finished his prayer, I asked him if he really had accepted Christ, and he said that he had. I asked him if he really believed that he was accepted, and he said he did. He took the first opportunity afforded him of confessing Christ, and became an active Christian. His broken home was restored, and every day he was found witnessing for his Master.
Another useful passage in dealing with this class is Mat_9:12-13 :
"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
This shows the inquirer at once that his sin, instead of being an obstacle in the way of his coming to Christ, really fits him for coming to Christ, as He has not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
I have frequently used Rom_5:6-8 :
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
At the close of an evening service in Minneapolis, a man who had raised his hand for prayer, hurried away as soon as the benediction was pronounced. I hastened after him, laid my hand upon his shoulder, and said, "Did you not hold your hand up tonight for prayer?" "Yes." "Why then are you hurrying away?" He replied, "You do not know whom you are talking to." "I do not care whom I am talking to, but I know God loves you." He said, "I am the meanest thief in Minneapolis." "Then I know God loves you"; and I opened my Bible to Rom_5:6-8 and read the passage through. "Now," I said, "if you are the meanest thief in Minneapolis, {57} you are a sinner, and this verse tells us that God loves sinners." The Spirit of God carried the message of love home to his heart, he broke down, and going with me into another room, he told me the story of his life. He had been released from confinement that day, and had started out that night to commit what he said would have been one of the most daring burglaries ever committed in Minneapolis. With his two companions in crime, he was passing a corner where we were holding an open-air meeting. He stopped a for moments to hear what was going on, and in spite of the oaths and protests of his companions, stayed through the meeting, and went with us into the mission. It so happened that a few days before he had dreamed in confinement of his mother, and the hearing of the Gospel added to this, and the few words that had been spoken to him personally, had completed the work. After he had told me his story, we knelt in prayer. Utterly overcome with emotion, through falling tears he looked to God for pardon, and left the room rejoicing in the assurance that his sins had all been forgiven.
It is often well to say to the man who thinks that he is too great a sinner, "Your sins are great, greater far than you think, but they are all settled." In order to show him how they are settled, and to make it clear that they are settled, turn to Isa_53:6.
2. SPECIAL CASES. Among those who regard themselves as too great sinners to be saved, there are special cases:
(1) THE MAN WHO SAYS, "I AM LOST."
If the difficulty is stated in this way, it is well to use Luk_19:10, as that fits so exactly the inquirer's statement of the case; for the verse says:
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST."
I was once speaking to a young man who was the complete slave of drink and other sins' and urging him to accept the Savior. He turned to me in a despairing way and said, "Mr. Torrey, go talk to those other men, there is no use talking to me, I am lost." I replied, "If you are lost, I have a message from God's Word addressed {58} directly to you." I turned to Luk_19:10 and read, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." The text fitted the case so exactly, that there was no need of comment or explanation on my part.
(2) MURDERERS.
Among those who think that they are too great sinners to be saved, murderers form an especial class. I find that not a few who have stained their hands with the blood of a fellow-man have a deep-seated impression that there is no hope for a man who has committed this sin. Isa_1:18 is very useful in such a case. One night I was dealing with a man who was sure that he was beyond all hope. I asked him why he thought so, and he replied, because he had taken the life of a fellow man. I said, "Let me read you something from God's Word," and I read:
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
I said, "If you have taken the life of a fellow man, your sins are as scarlet." "Oh," he cried, "the bullet was scarlet, I can see it now." Then I asked him to listen again to the promise, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." He saw how the promise exactly covered his case, and it brought hope into a heart that had been filled with despair.
Another useful passage is Psa_51:14 :
"Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation."
In using this passage, I always call the inquirer's attention to the fact that it is the prayer of a man who had himself stained his hands with the blood of a fellow man. Then I tell him how God heard the prayer, and delivered him from bloodguiltiness, and then turn to Psa_32:5 containing the Psalmist's own statement as to how his sin of bloodguiltiness was forgiven.
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." {59}
3. GENERAL REMARKS.
(1) NEVER GIVE FALSE COMFORT BY TELLING THE INQUIRER, "YOU ARE NOT A VERY GREAT SINNER."
This mistake is often made. Tenderhearted people are greatly disturbed over the deep conviction of sin that the Spirit of God produces in the hearts of men, and try to give comfort by telling the inquirer that he is not so great a sinner after all. This is false comfort. There is no man but who is a greater sinner than he ever thinks or realizes.
(2) After meeting the specific difficulty, show the inquirer how to be saved. The method of doing this is explained in Chapter Five. This remark applies not only to this difficulty, but to all the difficulties that follow. It is not enough to remove difficulties, we must bring inquirers to a saving knowledge of Christ.
II. "MY HEART IS TOO HARD."
One of the passages given under the former difficulty will also be useful here, Luk_19:10. Before using it, it may be well to say, "Well, then, if your heart is so hard and wicked, you must be lost." "Yes, I am lost." "Very well, I have a promise for you." Turn to Luk_19:10 and let them read. "You said that your heart was so hard and wicked that you were lost." "Yes." "And this verse tells us that Jesus Christ is come to seek and to save whom?" "The lost." "And that means you. Will you let Him save you now?"
Another useful passage is Joh_6:37, the last half of the verse,
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
You can say, "You think your heart is so hard and wicked that you cannot be saved, but would you be willing to come to Christ if He would accept you?" "Yes." "Well, let us listen to what He says." Then read the passage, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." "Whom does Jesus say here that He will receive?" "Any one who comes." "Does He say He will receive any one who comes provided his heart is not too hard and wicked?" "No." "What does He say?" "That He will receive any one who comes." "Then He will receive any one who comes no matter how hard and wicked their heart?" "Yes." "Will you come now?"
Eze_36:26-27 is helpful in many cases. You can say to the inquirer, {60} "Yes, your heart is too hard and wicked, but let us see what God promises to do." Then have him read the passage:
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
"What does God here promise to give?" "A new heart." "Are you willing that He should give you a new heart in place of that hard and wicked heart that you have?"
Another passage which is helpful in much the same way is 2Co_5:17 :
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
"Yes," you can say to the one in trouble, "yourj heart is too hard and wicked. What you need is to be made all over new; there is a way to be made all over, to get a new heart and to be a new man. Let me show you what that way is." Then let him read the passage. When he has read it, ask him, "What does the one who accepts Christ become?" "A new creature." "What becomes of the old things?" "They are passed away." "Do you want to be a new creature, and have old things pass away?" "Yes." "What then is all that you have to do?" "Accept Christ." "Will you do it?"
III. "I MUST BECOME BETTER BEFORE I BECOME A CHRISTIAN."
This is a very real difficulty with many people. They sincerely believe that they cannot come to Christ just as they are in their sins, that they must do something to make themselves better before they can come to Him. You can show them that they are utterly mistaken in this by having them read Mat_9:12-13 :
"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
When they have read it, if they do not see the point for themselves, you can ask, "To what does Jesus compare Himself in this verse?" "To a physician." "Who is it needs a physician, well people {61} or sick people?" "Sick people." "Ought a person who is sick to wait until he gets well before he gets the doctor?" "No, of course not." "Ought a person who is spiritually sick to wait until he is better before he comes to Jesus?" "No." "Who is it Jesus invites to come to Himself, good people or bad people?" "Bad people." "Is then the fact that you are not good a reason for waiting or a reason for coming to Jesus at once?"
Luk_15:18-24 also fits the case exactly. Show the inquirer that we have in this story a picture of God's relation to the sinner, that God wishes us to understand that He would have the sinner come in all his rags, and that He will give him a hearty welcome, a robe, a ring and a feast if he comes just as he is.
Luk_18:10-14 also applies. You can say, "Here are two men who came to God. One came on the ground that he was a sinner, the other came on the ground that he was righteous. Which of the two did God accept?" "The one who came on the ground that he was a sinner." "Well, God would have you come just the same way."
IV. "I CANNOT HOLD OUT," OR "I AM AFRAID I SHALL FAIL IF I TRY").
1. GENERAL TREATMENT. First see if the inquirer is in dead earnest, and if there is not some other difficulty lying back of this. Many a man gives this as a difficulty, when perhaps it is not the real one.
There is perhaps no better verse in the Bible for this difficulty than Jud_1:24 :
"Now unto him that is ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."
Its application is so plain as to need no comment.
Another useful passage is 1Pe_1:5 :
"Who are KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
When the inquirer has read it, ask him by whose power it is that we are kept. Then you can say, "It is not then a question of our strength at all, but of God's strength. Do you think that God is able to keep you?" {62}
Other passages which are helpful along the same line are:
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE TO KEEP that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2Ti_1:12.
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isa_41:10.
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isa_41:13.
A passage which will help by showing the absolute security of Christ's sheep, is Joh_10:28-29 :
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
In many cases a good passage to use is Heb_7:25 :
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
2. SPECIAL CASES.
(1) THOSE AFRAID OF SOME TEMPTATION THAT WILL PROVE TOO STRONG.
The best passage to use in such a case is 1Co_10:13 :
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(2) THOSE WHO DWELL UPON THEIR OWN WEAKNESS.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2Co_12:9-10.
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah_40:29-31 :29-31 :29-31.
One evening a lady called me to a man whom she was trying to lead to Christ and asked me if I could help him. I said to him, "What is your difficulty?" He replied, "I have no strength." "Ah," I said, "I have a message that exactly fits your case," and read Isa_40:29 hew:29 ew:29, "He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." "You say you have no strength, that is, no might; now this verse tells us that to those who have no might, that is to people just like you, God increaseth strength." The Holy Spirit took the word of comfort home to his heart at once, and he put his trust in Jesus Christ then and there.
V. "I CANNOT GIVE UP MY EVIL WAYS."
1. YOU MUST OR PERISH. In order to prove this statement, use:
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom_6:23.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal_6:7-8.
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev_21:8.
Drive this thought home. Show the inquirer no quarter, but keep ringing the changes on the thought, "You must give up your evil ways or perish." Emphasize it by Scripture. When the inquirer sees and realizes this, then you can pass on to the next thought.
2. YOU CAN IN THE STRENGTH OF JESUS CHRIST. To prove this, have the inquirer read Php_4:13 and Joh_8:36 :
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
3. SHOW THE RISEN CHRIST WITH ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. It is in the power of the risen Christ, and through union with Him, that we are enabled to give up our evil ways, so the one who has this difficulty should have the fact that Christ is risen made clear to him. The following passages will serve well for this purpose.
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I {64} also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1Co_15:1-4.
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Mat_28:18.
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb_7:25.
4. SHOW HOW TO GET VICTORY OVER SIN. There is perhaps nothing in the Bible that makes the way of victory over sin more plain and simple than Rom_6:12-14 :
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but YIELD YOURSELVES UNTO GOD, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
You can say to the inquirer, "In this verse we are told how to get victory over sin: we are told what not to do, and what to do. What is it we are told not to do?" "Not to let sin reign in our mortal body; not to yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin." "What are we told to do?" "To yield ourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead; and to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God." "Now do you believe that through union with the risen Christ your Savior, you are alive from the dead? Will you yield or present yourself unto God as one alive from the dead? Will you now and here present your members as instruments of righteousness unto God?" After the inquirer has been led to do this, show him that whatever we yield to God, God accepts, and that he can now TRUST God for victory over sin, and have deliverance from his evil ways.
VI. "I HAVE TRIED BEFORE AND FAILED."
Those who have tried to be Christians and have failed in the attempt, very naturally hesitate about trying again, and such a case needs to be dealt with, with great care, wisdom and thoroughness.
1. The first thing to do is to say to such a one, "I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO TRY AND NOT FAIL." Then point him to 2Co_9:8 :
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." {65} When the person has read the verse, to be sure that he gets its meaning you can say, "This verse tells us that God is able to make all grace abound toward us, that we, 'always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.' It is clear then, that there is a way to try and not fail."
2. FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. In finding out the cause of failure, there are seven points to be looked into:
(1) DID YOU PUT ALL YOUR TRUST FOR PARDON IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST?
This is a very frequent cause of failure in the attempt to be a Christian, the person has never been led to see clearly the ground of his salvation, and to trust wholly in the finished work of Christ for pardon. Isa_53:6 is a useful passage at this point:
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
(2) DID YOU SURRENDER ABSOLUTELY TO GOD?
Many are led to make a profession of faith in Christ without having been led to absolute surrender and the Christian life thus begun, is very likely to prove a failure. The passage to use at this point is Act_5:32 :
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
(3) DID YOU CONFESS CHRIST OPENLY BEFORE MEN?
This is one of the most frequent causes of failure. I have talked with very many who have said that they have tried to be Christians and failed, and a very large proportion of them I have found failed at this very point, the lack of a constant, open confession of Christ. Good passages to use at this point are Mat_10:32-33 and Rom_10:10 :
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." {66}
(4) DID YOU STUDY THE WORD OF GOD DAILY?
Here is another frequent cause of failure, neglect of the Bible. Very few of those who have really begun the Christian life, and who have made a practice of daily study of the Word, fail in their attempt to be Christians. Good passages to use at this point are 1Pe_2:2 and Psa_119:11 :
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee."
(5) DID YOU LOOK EACH DAY TO GOD ALONE, AND NOT TO SELF AT ALL, FOR STRENGTH AND VICTORY?
To emphasize this question, use:
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Isa_40:29 hew:29 hew:29.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2Co_12:9.
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." 1Pe_5:5.
(6) DID YOU PRAY CONSTANTLY?
Use at this point:
"Pray without ceasing." 1Th_5:17.
"He giveth power to the faint; and, to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah_40:29-31 :29-31 :29-31.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto thj
(7) DID YOU GO TO WORK FOR CHRIST?
Here use Mat_25:14-29.
VII. "THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TOO HARD."
1. If a person states this as his difficulty, first show him that THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT HARD. In Mat_11:30 Christ tells us His yoke is easy: {67}
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Pro_3:17 shows us that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness,
"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
1Jn_5:3, that God's commandments are not grievous:
1Pe_1:8 pictures the Christian life as a life of joy unspeakable and full of glory:
"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
In using the latter passage you might say, "We have a picture of the Christian life in 1Pe_1:8, let us see if it is a hard life." Have the inquirer read the verse, and then ask, "What kind of a life according to this passage, is the Christian life?" "A life of joy unspeakable and full of glory." "Do you think that is hard?"
2. Show him that THE WAY OF SIN AS HARD. Show the inquirer that it is not the Christian life, but the life without Christ that is the hard life. For this purpose use the last half of Pro_13:15, and Isa_57:21 :
"But the way of transgressors is hard."
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
VIII. "THERE IS TOO MUCH TO GIVE UP."
This is often the difficulty even when not stated.
1. First show the inquirer that NO MATTER HOW MUCH THERE MAY BE TO GIVE UP, IT IS BETTER TO GIVE UP ANYTHING THAN TO LOSE ONE'S SOUL. For this purpose use Mar_8:36 :
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
2. Show the inquirer that THE ONLY THINGS WE HAVE TO GIVE UP ARE THE THINGS WHICH WILL HARM US. This is made clear by Psa_84:11 : {68} "For the Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory; NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD from them that walk uprightly."
When the inquirer has read the verse, ask him, 'What does this verse tell us that God will not withhold from us?" "Any good thing." "The things then that God asks you to give up, are what kind of things?" "Evil things." "Then all God asks you to give up are the things which are harmful to you. Do you wish to keep them?"
I have found Rom_8:32 very effective, for it emphasizes the thought that if God loved us enough to give His Son to die for us on the Cross, He will freely give us all things:
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
I once had a long conversation with a young woman who was having a great struggle about accepting Christ. She was very fond of the world and certain forms of amusement, which she felt she would have to give up if she became a Christian. Finally I said to her, "Do you think God loves you?" "Yes, I know He does." "How much does God love you?" "Enough to give His Son to die for me," she replied. "Do you think if God loved you enough to give His Son to die for you, Me will ask you to give up anything that is for your good to keep?" "No, certainly He will not." "Do you wish to keep anything not for your good to keep?" "No." "Then do you not think you had better accept Jesus Christ right here and now?" "Yes," and she did.
Another verse which is useful as showing the inquirer that the things which he has to give up are the things which are passing away, is 1Jn_2:15-17 :
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
3. Show the inquirer that WHAT WE GIVE UP IS NOTHING TO WHAT WE GET. For this purpose use Php_3:7-8 :
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." {69} You can call the inquirer's attention to the fact that it was Paul who spoke these words, that perhaps no one ever gave up more for Christ than he did, and yet he here tells us that what he gave up was to what he got only as the refuse of the street.
IX. "I CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN IN MY BUSINESS," (or "It will hurt my business," or "I will lose my position.")
This is a very real difficulty with many, and must be met honestly and squarely.
1. It is well to bear in mind that even when a man really thinks this is true, it is not always so. Many people have an idea that it is impossible to be a Christian in any line of business except Christian work. They must be shown that this is a mistake. When a man makes this excuse, it is often well to ask him what his business is, and why he cannot be a Christian in it. Sometimes you will find that it is a business in which there are many Christians, and you can tell him that there are many Christians in the same business.
2. But oftentimes it is true that the man with whom you are dealing is in a business in which it is impossible to be a Christian. For example, the man may be a bartender or a theatrical manager or something of that sort. In that case say to the man, "You had better lose your business (or position ) than to lose your soul." To drive this statement home, use Mar_8:36 :
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Do not pass on to the next point until the man sees this and realizes it. Make the man feel that he had better lose every dollar that he has in the world than to lose his soul. When the man sees {70} this, and is ready to give up his business at any cost, you can use Mat_6:33 :
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
This verse will show him that if he puts God and His kingdom first, all needful things will be supplied to him. It is better to starve than to reject Christ, but no man who accepts Christ will be left to starve.
Another very useful passage is Mar_10:29-30 :
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
X. "I WILL LOSE MY FRIENDS."
Many a person who contemplates beginning the Christian life has none but ungodly companions, and he sees very clearly that if he becomes a Christian he will lose these friends, the only ones that he has; so this difficulty is a very real one.
1. First show the inquirer that he is better off without these friends, for they are enemies of God. Use for this purpose Jam_4:4 :
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Before giving it to the inquirer to read, say, "Yes, it may be that you will lose your friends, but if your friends are godless, you are better off without them. See what God's Word says about it." Then show him the passage. If this verse does not prove sufficiently effective, follow it up with Pro_13:20 :
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."
Follow this up with Psa_1:1-2 :
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {71} But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
Call the inquirer's attention to the fact that God has promised an especial blessing to those who turn their backs upon godless friendships in order to obey Him.
2. Having made this first point clear, you can say, "You may lose your godless friends, but you will get better friends," and turn him to 1Jn_1:3 :
"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
When they have read it you can say, "If you do lose your godless friends by coming to Christ, what two new friends do you get?" "The Father and His Son Jesus Christ." "Which would you rather have for friends, your godless worldly companions, or God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ?" All this may be followed up again by Mar_10:29-30.
XI. "I AM AFRAID OF RIDICULE."
1. Show the awful peril in being governed by the fear of man. Use Pro_29:25 :
"The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."
You might explain that this snare which catches him who is afraid of ridicule and rejects Christ, often results in the eternal ruin of the soul.
Next use Mar_8:28 :
"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
2. Show that it is a glorious privilege to be ridiculed for Christ. Use for this purpose Mat_5:11-12 :
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." {72}
XII. "I WILL BE PERSECUTED IF I BECOME A CHRISTIAN."
Never tell any one that he will not be persecuted. On the contrary say, "Yes, I presume you will be persecuted, for God tells us in His Word, that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." To prove it show him 2Ti_3:12 :
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
But then tell him that it is a great privilege to be persecuted for Christ's sake, and brings an abundant reward. Have him read Mat_5:10-12, and drive home the thought that we ought to rejoice at the privilege of being persecuted rather than to shrink from being a Christian on that account.
Then show him the result of suffering with Christ. Turn to 2Ti_2:12 :
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us."
Use Rom_8:18 to show him how shall are the sufferings of this present time in comparison with the glory that we shall obtain through them:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Compare 2Co_4:17)
Act_5:40-41 hew-41 hew-41 is useful as showing how the early church regarded persecution, rejoicing in it rather than shrinking from it:
"And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
Another passage which is also useful in such a case is 1Pe_2:20-21 :
"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."
XIII. "I HAVE NO FEELING."
This is a very common difficulty. There are many who wish to come to Christ, but do not think they can come because they have {73} not the proper feeling. The first thing to do in such a case, is to find out what feeling the inquirer thinks it is necessary to have in order to become a Christian.
1. "THE JOY AND PEACE THAT CHRISTIANS TELL ABOUT." The feeling that many inquirers are waiting for is the joy and peace that Christians speak of. Of course the thing to do in such a case, is to show the inquirer that this joy and peace is the result of coming to Christ, and that we cannot expect the result before we come. The first passage to use to show this is Gal_5:22 :
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith."
This shows that joy and peace are the fruit of the Spirit, and we cannot expect to have the fruit of the Spirit until we have received the Spirit, and we cannot receive the Spirit until we have accepted Christ. This is brought out very clearly in Eph_1:13 :
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."
Emphasize the point that it is AFTER we believe that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Use also Act_5:32 :
"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM."
This will show that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Christ, and we cannot expect to receive the Holy Spirit until we have obeyed God by putting our trust in Jesus Christ and confessing Him openly before the world. A verse which will be useful in this connection as showing that it is after we confess Christ that He confesses us before the Father, is Mat_10:32 :
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."
And so we have no right to expect the sealing of the Holy Spirit until we have confessed Christ before men.
It is after we have believed that we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1Pe_1:8 : {74}
"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
Our duty is believing with the heart and confessing with the mouth, leaving the matter of feeling to God; Rom_10:10 :
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
2. "SORROW FOR SIN." The feeling that many are waiting for, is a feeling of sorrow for sin. If you find this to be the case with any individual with whom you are dealing, proceed as follows:
(1) Use the passages already given to produce conviction of sin. (See Chapter Six, Section I.)
(2) Show that it is not sorrow for sin, but turning away from sin and accepting Christ that God demands. For this purpose use the following passages:
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isa_55:7.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." Joh_1:12.
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Act_16:31.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Act_2:38.
XIV. "I HAVE BEEN SEEKING CHRIST BUT CANNOT FIND HIM."
1. It is well oftentimes to say to one who raises this difficulty, "I can tell you just when you will find Christ." This will probably awaken surprise, but insist, "Yes, I can tell you just when you will find Christ. If you will turn to Jer_29:13, you will find the exact time when you will find Christ." Then let him read:
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, WHEN YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART."
"Now this verse tells the time when you will find Christ, when is it?" "When ye shall search for me with all your heart." "The fact is, up to this time, you have not been seeking for Him with all your heart. Are you ready to let go of everything else and seek Him today with all your heart?" This passage has been used in a {75} great many cases to lead out one who has been seeking Christ for years, into a real acceptance of Him.
2. It is well sometimes to say to one who raises this difficulty, "Then you are seeking Christ? Well, did you know that Christ also is seeking you?" Then turn to Luk_19:10 (or Luk_15:3-10) and read. "Now you say you are seeking Christ, and Christ says He is seeking you, how long ought it to take for you to find one another? Will you just come to Christ and trust Him here and now?"
3. Sometimes the best thing to do is to say, "Well, if you are earnestly seeking Christ, let me show you how to find Him." Then deal with the inquirer in the way described in Chapter Five.
XV. "CHRISTIANS ARE SO INCONSISTENT."
This is one of the most common difficulties that we meet. Probably the best passage to use is Rom_14:12 :
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
When a person raises this difficulty, you can say, "So you are troubled about the sins of Christians; let me show you from God's own Word what He says about that." Then have him read the passage. When he has read the passage, ask, "Who does God say you will have to give an account of?" "Myself." "Not of inconsistent Christians then?" "No." "Are you ready to give an account of yourself to God?" The mere reading of this verse without comment, has led many who have been dwelling upon the inconsistency of others, to see themselves lost and undone before God, and to turn and accept Christ right there.
Another useful passage is Rom_2:1-5. Hand it to the inquirer and ask him to read it carefully. When he has read it, ask him if this passage does not describe him, if he is not judging others for doing the very things he does himself. Then ask him what God says about those who judge others for what they are doing themselves. Ask him further what God says in the third verse that such a person will not escape. Ask him what the fourth verse tells him that he is really doing; and then ask him what the fifth verse tells him he is treasuring up for himself.
In many cases Mat_7:1-5 will be found useful. {76}
XVI. "THERE IS SOME ONE I CANNOT FORGIVE."
This is often the difficulty even when it is not stated. I have frequently found that when people told me they could not accept Christ and did not know why, the real difficulty was here, there was some one who had wronged them, or who they thought had wronged them, and they would not forgive him.
1. The first thing to do with such a one is to say, "YOU MUST FORGIVE OR PERISH." To prove this, use Mat_6:15 : {@Ed.cmt}
"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Follow this up with Matthew_18:21-35 : 2. Say to the person, "THE WRONG THEY HAVE DONE YOU IS NOTHING TO THE WRONG YOU HAVE DONE JESUS CHRIST." Here use Eph_4:32 :
"And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
You might also use Mat_18:23-35.
3. Next show the inquirer that he can forgive the other in Christ's strength. Use for this purpose Php_4:13 and Gal_5:22-23 :
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
XVII. "A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN HAS DONE ME A GREAT WRONG."
1. First you can reply by saying, "THAT IS NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD WRONG CHRIST! HAS HE WRONGED YOU?" Use Jer_2:5 :
"Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found IN ME, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?"
Ask the inquirer if he has found any evil in Christ, that that is what God is asking Him. One night I turned to an aged man and asked him if he was a Christian. He replied no, that he was a backslider. I asked him why he had backslidden, and he said Christian people had treated him badly. I opened my Bible and read Jer_2:5 to him, and asked him, "Did you find any iniquity in God; did God not treat you well?" With a good deal of feeling, the man admitted that God had not treated him badly. I held him right to this point of God's treatment of him and not man's, and his treatment of God. It is well to follow this passage up with Isa_53:5 as bringing out very vividly just what Christ's treatment of us has been.
2. In the next place you can say to the one who raises this difficulty, "THE FACT THAT A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN HAS DONE YOU A GREAT INJURY IS NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD DO YOURSELF A GREATER INJURY BY REFUSING CHRIST AND LOSING ETERNAL LIFE AND BEING LOST FOREVER." Then you can say, "Let me show you what injury you are doing yourself by rejecting Christ." Use for this purpose Joh_3:36, and 2Th_1:7-9 :
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
XVIII. "I HAVE DONE A GREAT WRONG AND WILL HAVE TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND CANNOT."
1. TELL THE INQUIRER TO TAKE CHRIST FIRST, AND LEAVE THE MATTER OF SETTLING THE WRONG WITH HIM, that he cannot settle the matter as it ought to be settled until he has first taken Christ. Make it very plain that the only thing God requires of a sinner is to accept Christ, and all other questions must be left until that point has been settled. Use Joh_3:36 for this purpose, and Act_10:43.
2. Show him further that IF THERE IS ANY WRONG TO BE MADE RIGHT, CHRIST WILL GIVE HIM STRENGTH TO MAKE IT RIGHT, and use for this purpose Php_4:13.
XIX. "I HAVE SINNED AWAY THE DAY OF GRACE."
This is a very serious difficulty. It often arises from a poor state of health and a morbid condition of mind, but I have never found a case that would not yield to prayerful and judicious treatment. The best passage to use, and one that generally proves sufficient, Is Joh_6:37, the last clause: {78}
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
It is oftentimes necessary to read it over and over and over again, sometimes for days and days. Hold the inquirer to the one thought that God says He is ready to receive any one who will come, urging him to come now.
Another useful passage is Rom_10:13 :
"For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Dwell upon the "whosoever."
The case of Manasseh as recorded in 2Ch_33:1-13 is useful as showing the extent to which one can go and yet how God will receive them to Himself, if they only humble themselves before him.
Luk_23:39-43 is oftentimes useful as showing how one was saved even the hour of death.
XX. "IT IS TOO LATE."
This difficulty is very much like the preceding one, and the same passage, Joh_6:37, is also useful in this case. Oftentimes, however, Deu_4:30-31 will prove more helpful:
"When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, EVEN IN THE LATTER DAYS, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."
In using the passage, emphasize the thought, "even in the latter days."
Still another passage is 2Pe_3:9 :
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should come to repentance."
It shows that God is not willing that any should perish, and that the reason why He delays His judgment is that men may be brought to repentance.
Luk_23:39-43 is useful as showing that one was saved even as late as his dying hour, and