I AM young yet, and likely to live. I hardly need think of these things yet (?)
God says: " Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth " (Prov. 27. 1).
If I do die, shall I not be done with?
" The rich man died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments " (Luke 16. 22, 23).
But I suppose it will be determined at the judgment day who will be sent there?
He that believeth not is condemned ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God " (John 3. 18).
But I have lived a comparatively harmless life; am I condemned?
God says: " There is none righteous, no, not one " (Rom. 3. 10). " Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God " (John 3. 3).
God is a merciful God, and I trust that He will pass over my many misdeeds.
" He will by no means clear the guilty " (Ex. 34. 7). " Because I have called, and ye refused; I also will laugh when your fear cometh " (Prov. 1. 24, 26).
But I say my prayers, and have given to God's work surely that will count in my favor?
"Many will say to Me in that day... we have done many wonderful works. -I never knew you, depart from Me " (Matt. 7. 22, 23).
Why put me on the same level as the drunkard or social outcast?
God says: " By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; -all have sinned " (Rom. 5. 12).-" All we, like sheep, have gone astray " (Isa. 53. 6).
I cannot credit that I and the immoral are alike before God.
Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all " (James 2. 10).
If that be the case, I must plead guilty. I have sinned. What must I do to be saved?
" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved " (Acts 16. 31).
Tell me exactly what I am to believe.
That " The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all " (Isa. 53. 6). " He gave Himself for me " (Gal. 2. 20). " The Just for the unjust " (1 Peter 3. 18).
But must I do nothing to gain salvation?
" A man is not justified by the works of the law; but by the faith of Jesus Christ " (Gal. 2. 16).
I have believed from my earliest years that Jesus died, and rose again, and yet I am not saved.
" If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe IN THINE HEART that God Lath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved " (Rom. 10. 9).
But does not the Bible say, " Work out your own salvation"?
Yes; when salvation is yours, but not until then. God says, " To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness " (Rom. 4. 5).
To be saved just by believing seems too simple.
" If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when He saith to thee, Wash and be clean? " (2 Kings 5. 13). " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou SHALT be saved " (Acts 16. 31).
Did God really love me before I was saved?
" God commendeth His love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us " (Rom. 5. 8). " Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us " (1 John 3. 16).
I often think I am too great a sinner to be saved.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as SCARLET, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool " (Isa. 1. 18).
But I should have to make so many sacrifices if I became a Christian?
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? " (Matt. 16.26).