IT is often a serious matter to make a mistake in the things of this life.
How much inconvenience, time, and money, it may cause us to rectify it. But most mistakes that we make here, can be rectified; with regard, however, to the soul, its eternal destiny is settled here on earth, and after this scene there is no changing. “In the place where the tree falleth there it shall be." Eccl. 11:33If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Ecclesiastes 11:3).
I was at Retford station a few days ago and was going to Gainsborough. The train drew up. Porters and guards cried out, " Train for Gainsborough, Brigg, Grimsby, and Hull: take your seats, please." I therefore took mine. I had scarcely seated myself when a woman came to the door with a little boy. I helped them and their luggage in, the door was shut and all just ready to start; when the woman said to her boy “Now, dear, we shan't have any change till we get to Lincoln." I turned at once to her and inquired "Are you going to Lincoln?”
“Yes, Sir." " Then you are in the wrong train —this is for Gainsborough" "Oh but," she said, some one on the platform told me this would be right." I called the guard and asked him whether this woman was right for Lincoln?
“Certainly not; this is for Gainsborough," and she had to hurry out just in time to save herself from a serious mistake.
This little incident reminded me of two or three features that concern the salvation of the soul. This woman was told she was wrong, first by one who was inside the carriage with her, and secondly by the guard. The sinner is warned that he is not right for heaven by his conscience within him, and the Word of God without. What a mistake for the sinner, to prefer to listen to the word of one who does not know the road, rather than heed the workings of his conscience and the distinct utterances of Gods' Word. Ahab heeded the prophet of Baal with his horns of iron rather than the faithful prophet of God, but it cost him his life. This, too, is what the rich man of Luke 16 did: he made a fatal mistake, and one that there was no remedying—he stifled his conscience: he lived for himself, not for God. He listened not to the words of Moses and the prophets. He died, he wasted away, he gave up the ghost, and where is he? God tells us, “in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment"—no change possible, for a great gulf was fixed, and he found he had made a fatal mistake, for he was on the wrong side of it. How solemn!
Now, dear friend, have you made the right start? Are you going to be with Christ in glory? Certainly not, unless you know Jesus as your own blessed Saviour; for we are told in Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." If you have not started thus, you are surely wrong, and better is it to find out you are wrong now in this day of grace when the mistake can be rectified, than find it out like the rich man, in hell, where there is no hope.
Notice, however, in connection with the incident, that the guard did not merely tell the woman she was wrong, but also showed her the right train; so, the moment the sinner is shown by the Word of God acting on his conscience that he is not right for heaven, that same Word points him to the work of Christ, to Jesus Himself, who is still saying, " Come unto me.”
Say, dear reader, do you believe that God can, and will bless such an one as you are?
Yes, He can; He has given Jesus in His love to die for sinners such as you, and believing on Him you get life through His name.
Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 2:2525And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:25)).
Do you believe on Him 9 Is He your own precious Saviour? Happy for you if He is.
You are then bound for heavenly joys with Himself. The One who has begun the work in you will finish it in you until the day of Jesus Christ. To Him be glory.
A. F. R.