Rescuing them from the flames

"The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners, and love to his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the stout, brave fireman, who careth not for the scorch or for the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity hath set his heart. He must, he will pluck such a one from the burning, at any cost and expense to himself."
- Charles Spurgeon -

Who was the firefighter that Charles Spurgeon saw to get his analogy? Probably a member of the London Fire Brigade, dressed in nothing more than thick wool pants with suspenders and a thick woolen shirt along with a helmet to protect his head; having nothing to protect his lungs from the searing black smoke. With little regard for his own life he went about the business of rescuing perishing souls from burning buildings; braving the heat, smoke, and other dangers of the fire. This man whom Spurgeon saw was not like the firefighter of the 21st century with his fancy protective clothing, SCBA(breathing apparatus), composite helmet and, steel toe fire boots.

Will you be like this firefighter that Spurgeon so eloquently describes and care not for the scorching heat, the thick black smoke, and the dangers that you’ll face but rather disregard your own wants, desire, and needs(die to yourself) and plunge yourself into the raging fire so that you might pluck from it those who are perishing.

Let us be about the Lord’s business, shaking off the fear that binds us, and pray that the Lord would give us a personal Pentecost each and every day; may the Lord Bless you as you go about His business of seeking and saving the lost. That the Lamb that was slain might receive the reward of His suffering.

Stop sitting in the fire truck gripped with FEAR, stop making excuses on why you can't do this, but rather get out of the rig and start rescuing those who are perishing!

WOTM "The Firefighter"