The shipwrecked passenger who grasps an oar does something, but if the possession of that oar leads him to reject the hand which would draw him on board, it is worse than useless. If your church-going, if your reputable life, has the effect of saying to the Saviour, "No, thank you; I can float," the publicans and vilest sinners may get to heaven before you. But oh, rest not till those everlasting arms are around you, and although the cold brine may still drip from your garments, though your limbs may still be torpid and powerless with that long exposure on the deep, still the moment you clasp that outstretched arm of mercy, you have come in contact with what will never let you go.
None shall be saved by Christ but those only who work out their own salvation while God is working in them by His truth and His Holy Spirit. We cannot do without God; and God will not do without us.
"But what can mortal man do to secure his own salvation?" Mortal man can do just what God bids him do. He can repent and believe. He can arise and follow Christ as Matthew did.
Grant that the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible is God's truth, and I know not in what way you can escape the doctrine that there is salvation only in Christ. From the liberality which says every body is right—from the charity which forbids you to say any body is wrong—from the peace which is bought at the expense of truth, may the good Lord deliver you.
It is the greatness of salvation, that proves the utter ruin that must follow its neglect.
