"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave."

We sing this old hymn from time to time, but do we take the time to think about what it really means? The words of this song call us to action. They require us to consider the condition of those who are lost. They also call upon us to examine our heart to consider our attitude towards those who are lost.

Jude 23 says, "and some save, snatching them out of the fire..." (ASV). I am confident that if we passed by a house that was on fire, and we knew that someone was trapped inside and that we could save them, we would. Yet our friends and neighbors are headed for an eternal fire - and what efforts are we putting forth to rescue them? Those who are outside of Christ are in danger. The only thing keeping them out of eternal fire this very moment is the patience of God (2 Peter 3:9). They need to be warned! They need to be rescued!

Jesus saw men as being sick with sin and in need of a physician (Matthew 9:12). He saw men as being lost and in need of a shepherd and a Savior (Matthew 9:36, Luke 19:10). He knew what Hell was like. His love for man caused Him to do what He could to "rescue the perishing." Do we look upon others the same way that Jesus did? Do we have the same love for lost souls?

Does it bother us when someone dies and we know they are lost? Something needs to be done before another soul is lost eternally. As long as those around us are alive there is hope, and as long as there is hope we can do something to help them.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it,
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide:
Back to the narrow way, patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand'rer a Saviour has died.
Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.