“And of some have compassion, making a difference” (Jude 22). Compassion definitely makes a difference. People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care. John Hyde prayed, “Lord, give me souls or I die.” John Knox prayed, “Oh God, give me Scotland or I die.” Does compassion move you?
This is a story of Rev. John Harper whose compassion for lost souls made a difference. John Harper was the pastor of Paisley Road Baptist Church in Scotland. He was a widower traveling with his daughter and sister on the Titanic to preach at the Moody Church in Chicago. On April 14, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg. His daughter and sister were put on a lifeboat and survived, but John Harper remained on ship. Many told how he compassionately preached the Gospel on the sinking ship, and then afterward in the freezing waters. One survivor said, “The tide brought John Harper, on a piece of wreckage, near me. He yelled, “Are you saved?” I answered, “No, I am not.” He then yelled, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” A wave took him away; but then the waves brought him back, and he yelled, “Are you saved now?” “No, I cannot honestly say that I am.” He yelled again, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” After that I watched John Harper disappear beneath the water. Alone in the night, surrounded by icy waters, I believed, and I was saved. I was John Harper’s last convert. Thank God for the waves that brought him with the message that Jesus Christ died for sinners like me. – (BaptistPress.com).
Note: The next day the Liverpool office posted on two boards: Total on board ship: 2208. Known to be saved – 712. Known to be lost – 1496. But that is not the end of the story. Because of the compassion of one man, some lost at sea were also saved eternally. His compassion made the difference! God’s compassion also makes the difference for those who are lost. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus Christ’s compassion also makes the difference for all who are lost. “But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them” (Matt. 9:36). Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for your sin, died, and arose victoriously to be your Saviour. Jesus Christ came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Dear friend, as you read this article you may also be lost and drowning in the storms of life without hope. Realize that it was not coincidental, but the providential hand of the Lord that used the waves to bring John Harper to the drowning man. Is it coincidental that the waves of life now bring you to read this article to make you realize that you are also lost without Christ and need to be saved. Coincidence – I think not! Like John Harper, I now ask you, “Are you saved?” If you answer is, “No, I am not.” Then I also say to you, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Why? The Lord said it would have been better if you had never been born than to have lived and died without Christ (Matt. 26:24). “Are you saved now?” If your answer is also, “No, I cannot honestly say that I am.” Then as John Harper, I say to you again, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31; John 1:12). Be saved now! Then as the drowning man, be able to say, “Thank God I am now saved.”
Are you now saved? [ ] Yes, Thank God!To let Ted know your decision click here.
