Work to Save Sinners by Wm. Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 4, 1905

Work to Save Sinners

By Wm. Covert

WM. COVERT

Christ came to our world to save sinners. Luke 19:10. This was the one consideration that brought him from heaven. His life-work related wholly to the salvation of sinners. He died and rose again for the accomplishment of this important work. The Christian worker is sent into the world that he may devote his time and energies to sinners' needs. The preaching of the gospel is done wholly for the benefit of sinners in our world. Churches are organized and conferences maintained to provide teachers, that sinners may be instructed.

Here is the only place in the universe where there is a chance to save sinners. Just now is the accepted time for bringing them from darkness into the light, that they may be saved. In a very little while it will be too late to do this. Jesus, who loves sinners, and who died to save them, is calling upon us from heaven,

and urging every soul who has accepted salvation, to consecrate all his energies to the purpose of saving sinners. The strenuous condition of things in our world to-day is traceable to the great controversy raging relative to sinners. The adversary is striving to destroy sinners, and Jesus is working to save them. The many thousand excellent facilities now being operated in our world are made to serve on both sides of the contest. Our business is to utilize them as rapid transit agencies in carrying the message of salvation quickly to sinners. By wisely doing this, the riches of the Gentiles are made to serve in the cause of righteousness. They bring the message of redemption to sinners. God gives his people riches that they may invest them in the business of saving sinners.

The Lord invests all the tithes and all the offerings that he receives from the service of man, in the enterprise of saving sinners. Should we not imitate the Lord in this? Laborers who are paid from these funds are expected to do faithful service in behalf of sinners. The effort that does not have this element in it is not acceptable to God. Only when we are filled with a burden for sinners can we hope for his approval.

Our preaching and our praying, our working and our planning, must all be done with reference to finishing the work which God has given us to do for sinners. Our field for work is the world, and we must hunt for every lost soul in the whole field. The pathetic cries of these lost sheep have reached the ears of the Great Shepherd, and all heaven is astir in their behalf. There is no time to lose on work and things which do not relate to this question. All we possess should go into this work, and our whole being should be wrapped up and absorbed in it. The great battle is now on, and the Lord calls for every loyal subject to do valiant service for the kingdom of heaven.

Bethel, Wis.