"Righteous Richard," as he was called among his comrades, was one of a gang of workmen engaged in arduous labor on a difficult construction. Many lives are laid down in such work, and numerous hardships faced by these brave toilers, for they work oft-times many feet below the surface of the earth.
But God has His servants everywhere, and some delight to carry to these work-hardened men the precious name of Jesus and the good news of His salvation.
So it happened that Richard Reeves found himself listening to the old, old story,— listening as the missionary told of the lost eternity which awaits those who reject the Lord Jesus, but of the glorious future in the Father's house of those who own their sins to Him and trust only in His finished work at Calvary. But Richard could not 'see' all this— he liked his own way best! Addressing himself to those present, he said: "I believe in heaven, and I believe in hell; but I've never done any one any harm, and I've as much right to heaven as anyone else.”
"Ah," said the missionary, "then you're one of those self-righteous sort that think they are good enough for God. Remember, friend, God says, "There is none righteous, no, not one... there is none that doeth good, no, not one' (Rom. 3:10-1210As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10‑12)). If any one of you men," he went on, "were drowning at sea, or if a piece of this rock were to fall upon you, there is not one among you but would cry out, 'Lord, save me.”
There was a pause; then turning to Richard, one of the number questioned: "There, righteous Richard, how do you like that?”
But Richard was silent. In his heart he knew his lost condition and was even now calling on God to save him.
Reader, pause one moment. Have you ever cried, "Lord, save me"? You may think you are physically in safety as you read these lines, but you cannot be sure. Your life is not your own! Another moment and you may be gone— where? Where will you spend eternity? Do not, like Richard, think you are "good enough for God." Rather, believe what He has said about you: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Believe Him, receive His Son, and be saved forever.