Seek the Lord While Your Heart is Young and Tender

A selection from a letter by Ernie Reisinger to a grandson at Christmas. Mr. Reisinger was a faithful witness for Christ till the day he went home to glory. He longed to see sinners bowing the knee to Jesus Christ and confessing him as Lord and Savior. He especially desired to see his family members converted. So along with a gift certificate for Christmas, he urged one of his grandsons to be saved. The letter was written in December, 1979.

… We are enclosing a gift certificate for Christmas, and as we do, our thoughts turn to the real meaning of Christmas, that is, why Jesus came – 'To save his people from their sins,' and 'To seek and to save that which is lost.'

Our prayers for you this Christmas are that you would be seeking him as he is seeking you. We would encourage you and plead with you to seek the Lord while your heart is young and tender because if you delay, your heart will grow harder, and then, humanly speaking, it will be more difficult to be saved. God can and does save sinners at any age, but more often he seems to choose the time of youth. You will therefore understand our prayer for you at this season so that your young day will not pass over your head without you being saved, or that you will remember your misspent privileges if you are not saved at all…

Ernest C. Reisinger: A Biography, by Geoffrey Thomas, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002, pp. 170-71.

The Grand Object of Education

A letter by Ernest Reisinger, to the son of a distinguished seminary professor and friend, who was graduating from High School. Mr. Reisinger sent him a gift and a letter of encouragement and challenge. I am sure this young man's parents were thankful for the godly counsel and wisdom given to him by this distinguished correspondent. The letter was written June 1, 1990.

My dear friend _____,

Congratulations on completing your High School education. I pray that you will always remember the grand object of your education, that is, that it contributes to the glory of God who gave you your existence, talents and gifts. On Him, also, you are dependent for their preservation. It is most reasonable, therefore, that these powers, gifts and talents should be empowered to His service for ever. I am enclosing a little gift for your graduation present.

You will soon be leaving the influence of a Christian home and godly parents; therefore, you will face new temptations and dangers. May our Lord be pleased to help, guide and protect you.

_____, the most important counsel I could give you, or any young Christian man, is this, never to make an intimate friend of anyone who is not a friend of your God. I do not mean that you have nothing to do with anyone but true Christians, but be very careful in your choice of friends. Ask the question, Will this friendship benefit my spiritual life? Follow the example of David who said, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts" (Psa. 119:63).

May our Father in heaven keep you safe from all harm, give you diligence in your studies and fortitude, wisdom in all your decisions, integrity in your living and a Christ-like example to others.

Your old friend,
Ernest C. Reisinger
P.S. Try hard to find a good church to attend.

Ernest C. Reisinger: A Biography, by Geoffrey Thomas, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002, pp. 152-53.

Pilgrim's Progress

A selection from a letter by Ernie Reisinger to a young friend, Hiram Walker. He had sent him a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress and Pictorial Pilgrim’s Progress. The letter was written on January 17, 1985:

Next to the Bible I think Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the five most valuable books I have ever read. I have read it eighteen times and get new Biblical insight each time I read it. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, probably the greatest Baptist preacher that ever lived, read it a hundred times.

Ernest C. Reisinger: A Biography, by Geoffrey Thomas, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002, p. 149.

God Has Used You In My Life

An extract from a letter by Ernie Reisinger to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, expressing appreciation for the influence he had exercised in his life. The letter was written on May 20, 1968:

I felt this morning I wanted to just drop you a few lines telling you how greatly God has used you in my own life and in the lives of many, many men in this country. Time would not permit me to recount the number of testimonies of preachers as to the great help they have received from your writings, and when I meet the men from your country, such as Jim Packer, Iain Murray and others, they have personally acknowledged to me their deep love and gratitude to God for your life and ministry. They have both called you ‘father’ in the proper sense of that expression.

Ernest C. Reisinger: A Biography, by Geoffrey Thomas, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2002, pp. 137-38.