The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IVMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IV
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
There stands the great commission shining on the eternal page of
inspiration in all its moral grandeur--its _terms_, its _basis_, its
_authority_, its _sphere_! The work is not yet done. Nearly nineteen
hundred years have rolled past since the risen Saviour sent forth His
messengers; and still He waits, in sweet, long-suffering mercy, not
willing that any should perish. Why are we not more willing-hearted in
carrying out the gracious desire of His heart? It is not by any means
necessary that we should be great preachers, or powerful public
speakers, in order to carry on the precious work of evangelization.
What we want is a heart in communion with the heart of God, the heart
of Christ, and that will surely be a heart for souls. We do not, and
cannot, believe that one who is not led out in loving desire after the
salvation of souls can really be in communion with the mind of Christ.
We cannot be in His presence and not think of the souls of those
around us. For whoever cared for souls as He did? Mark His marvelous
path!--His ceaseless toil as a teacher and preacher!--His thirst for
the salvation and blessing of souls!
And has He not left us an example that we should follow His steps? Are
we doing so in this one matter of making known the blessed gospel? Are
we seeking to imitate Him in His earnest diligence in seeking the
lost? See Him at the well of Sychar! Mark His whole deportment! Listen
to His earnest, loving words! Note the joy and refreshment of His
spirit as He sees one poor sinner receiving His message! "I have meat
to eat that ye know not of;" "Lift up your eyes, and look on the
fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth
receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he
that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."
We would earnestly entreat the Christian reader to consider this great
subject in the divine presence. We deeply feel its importance. We
cannot but judge that, amid all the writing and reading, all the
speaking and hearing, all the coming and going, there is a sad lack of
deep-toned, earnest, solemn dealing with individual souls. How often
do we rest satisfied with inviting people to come to the preaching,
instead of seeking to bring them directly to Christ? How often do we
rest content with the periodical preaching, instead of earnestly
seeking, all the week through, to persuade souls to flee from the
wrath to come? No doubt it is good to preach, and good to invite
people to the preaching; but we may rest assured there is something
more than all this to be done, and that something must be sought in
deeper communion with the heart and mind of Christ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account