MEETING OBJECTIONS.
Memory Verse: "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."—(Luke xxi, 15.)
Scripture for Meditation: John ix, 1-41.
The zealous personal worker will be met by objections; but it must be remembered that these objections are often given for the sake of argument, and often for the sake of something to say. They should be squarely met, however, and answered; and the best way to answer such is by Scripture. There is not an objection advanced by the unconverted that can not be met and overcome by some passage of Scripture. Just as Jesus in the wilderness met the tempter's arguments with "It is written," so we may meet every argument of the objector with the Word.
A faithful study of Christ's conversations with seeking souls, such as Nicodemus and the rich young man, will also be helpful.
Below are some of the objections usually given, with the Scripture references that may be used to meet them. This arrangement of texts is taken from "Personal Work," by S.M. Sayford, by consent of the publishers:
"I am good enough." (Gen. vi, 5; Ps. li, 5-7; Luke xviii, 19.)
"I am as good as most Christians." (Rom. xiv, 10-12; 2 Cor. v, 10; Rev. xx, 11; xii, 15.)
"I have never done anything really bad." (Luke xvi, 15; James ii, 10.)
"I can not give up my pleasures." (Eccl. ii, 1; xi, 9; Ps. xvi, 11.)
"I know I shall fail." (John vi, 37; 2 Tim. i, 12; iv, 18.)
"I can not now, but will some time." (Luke xiv, 17; Acts xxiv, 25; James iv, 13, 14; Luke xii, 19, 20.)
"I am too great a sinner." (Luke v, 32; xix, 10; 1 Tim. i, 15.)
"My day of grace has past." (Ex. xxxiv, 5-7; 2 Chron. xxx, 9; Isa. lv, 7.)
"I do not feel concerned." (Rom. xiii, 11; Eph. v, 14; Heb. ii, 3.)
"I can not know that these things are true." (Acts xvii, 11; John v, 39; vii, 17.)
"It will cost me my living." (Matt. vi, 33; Ps. lxxxiv, 11; Rom. xiv, 8.)
"It will prevent my becoming rich." (1 Tim. vi, 9, 10; Mark viii, 36, 37; Rev. iii, 17, 18.)
"I can not hold my friends." (Matt. x, 37; xxii, 37; Phil. iii, 8.)
"How may I know that Christ is the Son of God?" (John xx, 30, 31; x, 23-25; 1 John v, 13, 20; Mark iv, 11.)
"How may I know that the Bible is true?" (John vii, 17.)
"Will not God save me if I do my best?" (Eph. ii, 9; Titus iii, 5-8.)
"Why must a man believe in Christ to be saved?" (John xiv, 6; Acts iv, 12; Gal. ii, 16; Rom. iii, 23, 26.)
"How may I know I am forgiven?" (Ps. xxxii, 5; Prov. xxviii, 13; 1 John i, 7-9.)