Muttered in hot, angry tones, there was no mistaking the words in their plain meaning. They conveyed a sentiment as false as it is general and, sad to say, shared by multitudes.
The speaker was an avowed infidel, and the words were addressed to an outstanding Christian. The angry, sarcastic words were: "The gospel you preach has not done much good in the world. There is plenty of wickedness and suffering wherever one goes. I don't believe in your religion and won't have it."
The two walked on a little further. Presently they passed a very dirty lad playing in the mud. Said the Christian to the infidel, who happened to be a soap manufacturer: "Your soap has not done much good in the world. See, that boy is filthy, and there is plenty of dirt in the world. I don't believe in your soap."
"But," said the soap manufacturer, "my soap is all right, if it is applied."
"Just so," replied the Christian, "the gospel of Christ... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth'; and all who have believed have certainly found out the truth of these words. The trouble with you is, you have never applied the gospel to your OWN soul, any more than that dirty boy has applied your soap to his body."
Now, may we ask you very earnestly, Have you applied the gospel to your own case? Have you received the gospel of God for yourself, and found it the power, the mighty dynamic, of God to your own soul?
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12.