“Are you saved, sir?” Harry Ironside asked a man at the close of a gospel meeting. “No, I can’t say I am, but I would like to be.” “Why? Do you realize you are a lost sinner?” “Of course, we’re all sinners.” “But are you a sinner yourself?” “I suppose so, but not what you’d call a bad sinner. I think I’m rather a good one. I always try to do the best.” “Then I fear there is little use showing you the way of salvation. Good sinners, together with honest liars, upright thieves, and virtuous scoundrels are far from ready to submit to God’s grace, which is only for poor, hell-deserving sinners who have no goodness to plead, but are ready to be saved alone by the work of the Lord Jesus.” Further conversation showed that the man was far from ready to be saved and would, according to his own declaration, take “his chances” as he was. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Rom 10:3).

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