The Fundamentals - 1917: Vol.3

185

Pastoral and Personal Evangelism

the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” In other words win a man by the love of God. Before he can question again, ask him to turn, or better, take his Bible and turn for him, to Luke the fifteenth chapter, and beginning with the eleventh verse, read together the parable of the Prodigal Son. Then quickly and easily turn to First John, the third chapter: “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” Read on a way in that chapter, and then turn over to the fifth chapter and read there. Then turn to Revelation three, twenty, and read: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and he to Me, and he shall go in and out and find pasture.” Tell him in connection with this verse the story of Holman Hunt, the great artist who painted, “The Light of the World.” Describe the picture till he recalls it, of Christ standing before the latticed door, knocking, holding a lantern in the other hand, the distant love in the Master’s eye showing that the interest of His thought was within the cottage. Tell him how Holman Hunt, after the picture had been painted, called in a friendly artist to criticise the picture. His friend, after scru­ tinizing the picture, said, “But you have no latch on the door.” “No,” replied the great painter, referring to this verse, “the latch of this door is on the inside. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door.’ ” Show how Christ respects the human life by knocking and not forcing His entrance, and how if the individual opens He will come in and abide. If you have one burdened with a sense of his own guilt and sin, turn to Isaiah one, eighteen: “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scar­ let, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like

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