How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (Matthew 18:12, KJV)

There is a tendency, apparent at this present time, to think little of the conversion of individuals and to look upon the work of the Holy Spirit upon each seperate person as much too slow a business for this present age. I am bold to assert that if ever we despise the method of individual conversion, we shall get into an unsound order of business altogether and find ourselves wrecked upon the rocks of hypocrisy.

Even in those right glorious times when the gospel shall have the freest course, and run the most quickly, and be the most extensively glorified, its progress will still be after the former manner of the conviction, conversion, and sanctification of individuals, who shall each one believe and be baptised, according to the Word of the Lord.

I fearlest in any of you there should be even the least measure of despising the one lost sheep because of the large and philosophical methods that are now so loudly cried up. If the wanders are to be brought in, in vast numbers, as I pray they may be, yet must it be accomplished by the bringing of them one by one.

To attempt national regenration without personal regeneration is to dream of erecting a house without separate bricks. Let us settle in our minds that we cannot do better than to obey the example of our Lord Jesus and go after the one sheep that has gone astray. (At the Master’s Feet, November 10)

Charles Spurgeon

See also:

KATHARINE JEFFERTS SCHORI CALLS INDIVIDUAL SALVATION HERESY/IDOLATRY

THE NIGHTMARE BEGINNING FOR MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM

MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM NOW ON THE RAPID SLIDE TO APOSTASY

EMERGENCE CHRISTIANITY—A POSTLIBERAL CULT SLITHERS INTO EVANGELICALISM

THERE IS NO SPIRITUAL SWITZERLAND

JOHN MACARTHUR: WHEN BEING “NICE” IS WRONG

EX-HOMOSEXUAL FRIEND OF APPRISING MINISTRIES