The cry of your heart for the souls of your brother, his wife, and your father has not escaped the ear of the Lord. You long to see them snatched from ruin, and for many to run with the gospel while the day lingers, this is a holy burden, and it honors God when we plead his promises. For this is “the common salvation,” and if it be common, go and make it common. Pray, yes, but with prayers that lay hold of Christ himself, for “he is salvation.” There is no other name, no other way. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” How simple! But the proud heart will have none of it, until the Spirit breaks its stubbornness. Yet you ask a supernatural intervention, that they be unable to deny him. That is a prayer after God’s own nature, for “salvation is of the Lord” from first to last. He can make the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead live. Cease not to cry until the stone is rolled away.
Press close to the cross yourself. Let your own soul be saturated with the glad truth, that “by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves.” Rejoice in God’s salvation, for when you do, your very face will preach. A household is often won by the quiet, persistent witness of one who has learned to sing, “I will rejoice in thy salvation.” Remember the jailer, “he and all his” were baptized, for God delights to bless families. Not that privilege alone will save them; each must personally believe. But prayer and holy example are the nets Christ uses to draw many fish. Do not shirk the duty of telling them plainly: “The Scripture says, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Faith in a person, the living, dying, risen Person, this is the instrument. And if you would see warriors raised up, be the first to strap on the armor. The best recruiting sergeant is a man on fire. Tell out what you have tasted and handled of the word of life; the Spirit often works through the humblest stammering tongue.
Let me set this before you plainly: God’s salvation is a finished, perfect salvation. Not a salvable state, but eternal redemption. It is “without money and without price.” That is the jewel of the gospel, it asks nothing, gives everything. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Lift your eyes away from signs, feelings, or fitness. “Look! look! look!” This is the simple method. So pray with holy boldness, expect great things, and as you do, go yourself and bid others to “Ho, everyone that thirsteth.” Your own salvation is secure, not because you cling to Christ so tightly, but because he holds you. Let that certainty spill over upon your household. In the meantime, leave no open sin unconfessed before them; let your life be a daily epistle of grace. And remember, lost souls think salvation important. They will soon enter eternity. The question pierces: “Will my family be there?” May you never rest until, with your brother, his wife, your father, and a host of others, you stand as a complete family before the throne.