Charles Haddon Spurgeon -
“If sinners be damned, at least
let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them
perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell
must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and
let not one person go there unwarned and unprayed for.”
(Spurgeon, Spurgeon at His Best, p. 68-78)
3 comments:
This powerful quote says the despiration we feel when those we love, or even don't care about are destined to be there.
For some reason, I'm not terribly moved by this quote. Formerly, I think it would have inspired some guilt in me: as in, "I feel guilty that I'm not out there saving more people from hell like Spurgeon. I feel so inadequate next to the Prince of Preachers"
At this point, I have a different take: I think this quote still implies that I am to supposed to be out there saving people FROM something. When in fact, I find it much more compelling to introduce people to someone and have them embrace him. When I read the Gospels, I don't get the sense that God is on a mission to save people from hell. Rather, I get the sense that God is on a mission to have people embrace Jesus. It may be a subtle difference, but I think it's substantial.
Hey Drew wfh,
Say more about what makes the difference substantial.
I concur that fear of hell is not what leads people to Him. Fear of hell encourages ongoing self-centeredness, as in, "I don't want to experience pain and torment and separation, so I'm going to accept Jesus." I am learning that what really draws people to Jesus is not a fear of hell, but radical love, a love He defines and offers.
With that being said, I'd be interested in how we have responsibility (or maybe not) for the many in this world who both don't know Him and as a result are likely to experience hell. Does the same sense of urgency described in Spurgeon's quote still hold true in our desire to introduce people to Him?
And I'm intrigued by the relationship between the reality of hell, the seriousness of MY sin, and the person and work of the One who saves.
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