Human Inability, no Excuse for the Sinner – Charles Spurgeon

“NO man can save himself,” says one. Yet the case is very like that of the master who sent his negro servant with a letter. The negro was, like some others, rather lazy, and came back with it. “Why did you not deliver it?” “I could not.” “Could not deliver it?” “No, master.” “Why not?” “A deep river, sir, very deep river, I could not get across.” “A deep river?” said he. “Yes.” “Is not there a ferryman there?” “Do not know, sir; if there was, he was on the other side.” “Did you call across, ‘Boat, ahoy!’ ” “No, sir.” “Why, then, you rascal,” said he, “what does it matter; it is no excuse. It is true, you could not get across the river, but then there was one there who could take you, and you never cried to him.” And so it is in your case. You say, “I cannot save myself.” Quite true; but there is one who can, and you have never cried to him; for, mark you, if you cry to him, if your heart says, “Oh, Savior, come and save me,” and your spirit rests in him, deep as that river of your sin certainly is, he knows how to bear you safely through it, and land you on the other shore. May he do that with each of you. With God all things are possible, though with man it is impossible.