564 T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S The Church, then, consists of a body of sinners who have been saved through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, whose blood atoned for their sins and whof through this"finished work which He wrought in their behalf, by His death and resurrection, are united to Him by an un breakable bond and designated by Him as His own-—the Church. Why, now, does He not take them to glory at once, for “ To depart and be with Christ is far, far better” ? Why leave us here? He leaves us here to build His. church—to complete His body. It is 'plain enough, then, is it not, that our business is to save sinners,—to rep resent Him in the greatest business in the world. He came to ‘‘seek and to save” and He leaves us here to carry out His work. # How is it to be done ? It cannot be done by trying to make the world better. Christ did not try to do that. He died to save men. The world cannot be made better by being told to keep thé Ten Commandments or to follow the Golden Rule. No man ever yet succeeded in keeping the Ten Commandments. His nature is such that it is impossible. He must have a new nature. You cannot make a sinner better,-^-Christ could not make a sinner better except through His death. You cannot save sinners by having better homes for them or by changing their environment. You make them more prosperous—perhaps. You may give them all the wisdom of the world, but you do not make their natures any different. They were born with their feet toward the door of the pit and unless they “ face about” (repent) there is no hope for them. The business of the church, then, is very definite, very simple and very practical. The business of every member of the body of Christ is to be a soul-winner. It is the business of the preacher and teacher to win souls, but it is no more the business of the preacher and teacher than it is the business of the humblest member. It is the business of the preacher to tell his people what they must do if they are to obey Christ, for both preacher and people must give an account of their service. Soul saving is the great business of the church. Everything else is sec ondary and subordinate. No believer is excused. Every believer is exhort ed to be at work in the business established by our Lord. Expensive buildings, elegant surroundings, educated ministry, elabo rate music, enlightened members, endowed financial support,—may all add to the severity of God’s just judgement if there is a lukewarm condition concerning the salvation of the lost. For it is written, So, then, because thou art lukewarm and neither cold -nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ” We were saved to serve. He will never excuse us from that obliga tion. We are commissioned to serve, we are commanded to serve— “Go ye!” We can because He never asks of us an impossible task. If you have never sensed this truth before, God help you to do so now. Begin today. Confess your sin of neglect and pray for grace and guidance. Yield all to Him for this work. Let us go out without fear. Give out the message with tracts and Gospels. Let us plead—with tears in our hearts-r—with the unsaved to ac cept our blessed Lord. Do not let anybody or anything hinder us. They are dying today without Christ ! They are heartsick ! No- SOMETHING WORTH WHILE
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