“When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32).
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).
Living to save others is the condition of saving ourselves. No man is truly converted who does not live to save others. Every truly converted man turns from selfishness to benevolence, and benevolence surely leads him to do all he can to save the souls of his fellowmen. This is the changeless law of benevolent action.
The self-deceived are always to be distinguished by this peculiarity—they live to please themselves. This is the chief end of their religion. All their religious efforts and activities tend toward this sole object. If they can secure their own conversion so as to be pretty sure of it, they are satisfied. Sometimes the ties of natural sympathy embrace those who are especially near to them, but selfishness goes commonly no further, except as a good name may prompt them on.—Charles G. Finney.
We ourselves are “saved to save,” and are made to give. The pebble takes in all the rays of light that fall upon it, but the diamond flashes them out again; every little facet is a means, not simply of drinking it in, but of giving more out. The unearthly loveliness of the opal arises from the same process carried on within the stone; the microscope shows it to be shattered through and through with numberless fissures that catch and refract and radiate every ray they can seize. Yes, there lies before us a beautiful possible life—one that shall have a passion in giving, that shall be poured forth to God—spent out for man: that shall be consecrated “for the hardest work and the darkest sinners.”—I. Lilias Trotter.
When I am dying, how glad I shall be
That the lamp of my life has been blazed out for Thee;
I shall not mind whatever I gave,
In labor, or money, one soul to save;
I shall not mind that the way has been rough,
That Thy dear feet led the way was enough—
When I am dying, how glad I shall be
That the lamp of my life has been blazed out for Thee.
—Unknown.