The arm of grace is very long

(J. C. Ryle, "Many Shall Come")

Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of 
anyone--as long as he lives. Fathers ought never 
to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never 
to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. 
Husbands should never despair of wives, nor 
wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible 
with God. The arm of grace is very long, and 
can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray 
on, and hope on, for others--however unlikely 
their salvation may appear to be at present. 

The Holy Spirit can change any heart! 

The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin! 

We shall see many in heaven, whom we never 
expected to see there. Grimshaw, the famous 
pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only 
son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and 
indifferent to true religion. The day came when 
the young man’s heart was changed, and he 
walked in the steps of his holy father. And 
when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his 
last words was, "What will my old father
say--when he sees me in heaven!"
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short
 to save!" Isaiah 59:1