SOAP MUST BE APPLIED

A soap manufacturer, not a Christian, was talking to a minister.

Said the soap maker: "The gospel you preach has not done much good for there is still a lot of wicked people."

The preacher had no immediate answer, but they soon passed a child making mud pies. He was exceedingly dirty. It was then the minister's turn, and he said: "Soap hasn't done much good in the world, I see; for there is still much dirt and many dirty people."

"Oh, well," answered the manufacturer, "soap is useful only when it is applied."

"Exactly," was the preacher's reply, "So it is with the gospel of Christ Jesus."

There can be no doubt concerning the application of this factual principle. Until the gospel is used (applied to the life of the individual) it is of no profit to him. One living in sin can be washed clean of the sins of his past life by obeying the gospel of Christ. That gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16). Saul of Tarsus was told to "arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).

Before the gospel is of value to mankind, it must be applied (obeyed). Paul states very clearly, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Christ humbled himself and left heaven, lived in the flesh and suffered agony unto death that each one may enjoy eternal life. But, unless we respect the commandments given by Christ and obey every word of the gospel, we shall not benefit from what He accomplished.

There is no such thing as using soap once a week and expecting to keep clean all week long. So, likewise, one can not expect to be free from sins by only a casual or haphazard contact with the gospel of Christ. It demands constant, continual, unerring obedience.

Jack Thompson,