To Save Individual Men
By Calvin P. Bollman
THE purpose of the gospel is not to save society, but to save men. It does not appeal to men in the mass, but as individuals. The word of God speaks to all because first of all it speaks to each man singly. "Son, give Me thine heart." "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever [the individual who] believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." "If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him." "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." THEY APPEAL TO THE INDIVIDUAL
All these texts appeal to the individual. They all speak to men not in the mass, but as individuals. Each person must act for himself. Each must come into personal relation to God. Each must for himself respond to the Saviour's invitation. Each must decide for himself the answer he will give to the gracious invitation to come to Christ. Each must have an individual, a spiritual birth, if he ever gets into the kingdom of God. The gospel commission is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"—that is, to every individual. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Thus the decision is left to each individual. One man can not decide this matter for another. He can decide it only for himself. All these texts simply emphasize the folly of attempting to regenerate men in the mass, or, in other words, of attempting moral reforms by legislation. Civil rights may be defined and safeguarded by civil law, but only the word and Spirit of God can change the heart and transform the character. This work is done "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." C. P. BOLLMAN.