YOU have opened my eyes; I thought I was all right, but I find I am all wrong.”
Such were the words addressed to me by one whom I had known for many years, on my second visit during his last illness. He had passed through many domestic sorrows, and had been compelled through force of circumstances to work beyond his strength, which doubtless hastened his end.
My friend had been laid aside for some little time before I had heard of his illness, so that when I called he said to me, "I have been looking for you.”
I had often spoken to him about his soul's welfare, and now that he felt himself drawing near to his end, he was anxious to see me.
God had evidently used what I had said to him on my first visit, to show him his true state as a lost sinner needing a Savior, and eagerly did he listen, as the Lord enabled me to set before him the way of salvation.
It needed no effort on my part to press home God's claims upon him. He had discovered his sinfulness. All that I had to do was to endeavor to unfold the riches, the freeness, and the fullness of God's salvation. As a drowning man clings to a rope thrown to him, or a person in a burning house enters the fire-escape, so did my friend receive Jesus as his Savior.
A quiet, settled peace took possession of his soul; and his face beamed with joy, as he realized the place into which by the grace of God he had been brought. My friend lingered for a short time. Having an opportunity to go to a Home for the dying he embraced it, and was taken there.
On calling to see him, I found him in the same happy state of mind, though in a very feeble condition of body. He said to me, "The sisters here cannot understand my being so happy under such circumstances.”
He was evidently ripening for the Home above into which he was shortly to enter. It was not long ere the summons came, and it found him joyfully ready.
My dear reader, you, like my friend, must sooner or later pass into the presence of God. Indeed it is only a question of time for all of us. Are you ready for the change?
My friend thought he was, but as the light of God shone into his soul, he found that his own righteousness could not carry him through the valley of the shadow of death, and land him safe on the heavenly shore. How many are being deceived by the enemy of souls, who seeks to hide from them the solemn realities of the great white throne, and occupies them with present things! Should conscience speak, Satan lulls it to sleep, and contents them with the form of godliness without the power, than which perhaps nothing is more dangerous. How can it be possible for a sinful man to fit himself for the presence of a holy God! If all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, what must our sins be?
“No outward forms can make us clean,
The leprosy lies deep within.”
Blessed be God if it is beyond man's power to make himself better than he is, God Himself has provided a remedy. Where could there be a more blessed statement than this: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”