I came across this post from July 2020 and thought that I would bring it back for a little while.
Charles Spurgeon once....in one of his sermons....referenced a contemporary of his....a pastor of a church of a few hundred. That pastor was in prayer throughout every day....pleading for the salvation of people in his own church.....of whom he had responsibility....and it was taking its toll on the pastor. Spurgeon remarked how much more it effects him as his congregation was so much larger. That sermon may have been Compassion For Souls. I'll listen to it again today....and update this post if that was the sermon. (the sermon was indeed....Compassion For Souls.) We do not have the preaching today....we just don't. It's the age we live in. The church is very up on liberty and freedom and the Supreme Court and our 401s....and who is or is not a true patriot....but discernemnt on who is or is not a lost soul....even within our own families.....is all but gone. I have Christian friends who do not seemed concerned about the souls of their own children....for in order to live with themselves on this.....without the inner turmoil that the above pastor had....they have assuaged their failures by accepting the gospel of the day....where an adult child with an amiable disposition....and some church in their youth....are in God's hands....no need to worry. The following words from missionary C. T. Studd come to mind:
Two little lines I heard one day
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
