“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.” This is the true story of Rev. John Harper whose compassion for lost souls also made a difference. John Harper was the pastor of Paisley Road Baptist Church (Scotland), 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 survived, but John Harper remained on ship. Many told how he preached the Gospel as the ship was sinking, and afterward in the freezing waters. One survivor said, “The waves 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, 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.” Afterward I watched him disappear beneath the water. Alone in the night, surrounded by icy waters, I believed, and I was saved. I was his 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: Total on board: 2208. Known to be saved – 712. Known to be lost – 1496. Because of John Harper’s compassion some lost at sea were saved eternally (John 10:28). God’s compassion also makes the difference. “For God so loved the world (you), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus’ compassion makes the difference. “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 came to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10). Realize that God loves you. Jesus Christ loves you. You may die unsaved but you will not die unloved.
Friend, as you read this article you may also be lost without hope in the storms of life. Realize the providential hand of God used the waves to bring the Gospel to the drowning man. Is it coincidental that the waves of life now bring you to read this article for you to realize you are lost. 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? It would be 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 also be able to say as the drowning man, “Thank God I am now saved.”
