05.11. Be Careful
11. BE CAREFUL
If you have had differences or difficulties with someone who is a seeker at the altar, do not try to deal with him. Pray for him. Send others to him but stay away yourself until he has settled that for which he came to the altar. Then go to him.
Possibly you were not at fault and he may have been all in the wrong; but perhaps he does not see it that way, and when you try to deal with him these old things rise up in his mind and hinder.
Even after he has prayed through, when you go to him do not bring up the trouble. If he should mention it, no matter how you feel about it, shoulder just as much of the blame as your conscience and your God will let you. Remember you are dealing with an immortal soul, a babe in Christ.
Arguments
People who raise their heads and smile when you approach them at the altar, who seem inclined to carry on a conversation, ask questions, and raise arguments are usually better off left alone. They are not convicted very deeply, seldom if ever receive help, and will likely hinder others who are kneeling near enough to overhear. The truly penitent soul, like the publican of old, will "not so much as lift up his head." If he has an argument, it is, "I’ve gone too far. My sin is too great. I have waited too long." If he has a question, it is, "Can Jesus save a sinner like me? Do you think there is any hope?"
You can help a person like that. For such a soul there is great hope, immediate help; and if you know your Bible you have an answer for every question and a scripture for every argument. Will You Preach?
Whether a person is seeking to be saved, reclaimed, or sanctified, it is neither fair nor wise to test his sincerity by asking him, "If God will take you, will you be willing to preach or go as a missionary?" I know a seeker must submit to God’s will; but remember it is God’s will, not your suggestion.
Seekers questioned on these things have been known to leave the altar and never return -- not because, as some thought, God had called them to preach, but because of a fear in their hearts that He would, and their souls, minds, and bodies rebelled against it. Possibly such a thought had never entered the mind of God.The world has had too many "man-called" preachers and missionaries. It is high time we left all calling of workers to the Lord.
It is also well to remind those who may be struggling over what they fear is a call to the ministry that God is just as pleased with the man who plows as He is with the man who preaches, if that is the work for which he is best suited.
Accept Testimony
Missing from the altar a man whom I had previously noticed, I said to a worker, "Did the man kneeling there get through?" Often I have received the answer, "He said he did, but he did not."
I think such an attitude or answer is a grave mistake. Suppose the man overheard the question and answer, or suppose someone told him. It would be shock enough to wreck his faith, if he had any.
I believe, if a person professes to be saved, reclaimed, or sanctified, we should accept his testimony. No matter how much he may have missed your particular standard, if he claims the work is done, take his word for it until you see something in his life that disproves his statement. A Heart Work
Salvation is a work wrought in the heart, and there is no immediate or outward sign or demonstration that will prove conclusively what has taken place within.
I have known many who at the beginning seemed so unpromising, yet they remained steadfast and went on to know the Lord in His fullness. Others who seemed at first so bright and clear, and in whom we had such great hope, fell by the wayside. The least a worker can do is to take the seeker at his word.
Faith, Not Feeling The devil, who fights a soul all the way to the altar and all the time he is at the altar, does not give up the battle when that soul is saved. True, he has lost ground; but he now makes ready to contest every inch of progress and to instill every doubt possible.
Christian workers, unintentionally, often in the questions they ask the young convert, open the way for the enemy to sow seeds of doubt. Such questions as, "How do you feel?" "Is the burden gone?" "Do you feel better?" "Don’t you feel like shouting?" -- these play right into the hands of Satan. Such questions have a tendency to get the eyes of the young convert on himself and his feelings rather than on the Lord.
If you must interrogate the seeker, ask such questions as will keep his mind and heart centered on Christ. Ask, "How is your faith?" "Do you believe He saves you?" "Are you going tokeep trusting Him?" "He made good His promise, didn’t He?" "Are you determined to go through with Him?" This type of question encourages his faith, strengthens his soul, and keeps his mind on God.
Stand Up for Jesus
Often I have seen a man settle the question, seemingly so clearly and definitely -- no doubts, but a simple trust in God. Yet for no apparent reason he remained kneeling at the altar while workers prayed with other seekers. I have seen a good, but unwise, worker kneel by the new convert and say, "Are you really sure you are saved?" After a few questions on feelings and kindred subjects, I have seen his face fall, his head go down in doubt, and Satan had won a victory.
Many, after being so clear and definite at first, have left the altar unsatisfied. To the Rescue
I have never believed in professing people through or telling them they have settled it. On the other hand, I have seen so much doubt instilled into hearts by unwise workers that I want to urge workers to deal carefully with the new convert.
I am convinced that if a person of his own free will professes to have found what he is seeking, it is best to say immediately, "If you have settled it and you are going through with God, stand on your feet as a testimony for Jesus, that others here may know what has taken place."
Standing up then is a testimony and a confession of Christ before others. It will strengthen the faith of the new convert and prove a definite hindrance to the chronic spreaders of doubt.
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