IN a northern portion of Great Britain there once lived a man who was known in the district in which he resided as a sinner indeed.
The people in the neighborhood had very little intercourse with him, and were not on the best of terms, owing to his wicked practices. His was a life of “open sins” indeed his wife waited on him as only a Christian wife could, and received, in return for her kindness, nothing but ill-treatment, filthy language, and even cruel blows.
Let us in thought approach the dwelling. A knock at the door brings an old woman of nearly ninety summers, small and careworn.
“Come through, come through,” she says. We must enter to find the subject of our narrative lying on a wooden “resting chair,” covered with a rough blanket, looking not too comfortable. He takes little notice of our entrance; possibly he has not heard us, being very deaf. His wife approaches him, and shouts in his ear, “Turn thee, turn thee, the ministers ha’ come to see thee.”
The old man turns over with a groan, and says, “I’m glad they have come; I’m happy to see ye.”
A word or two about his soul, and time prospect beyond, brings from his lips: “I’m going to be with Jesus. He has suffered for my sins. Praise Him! Praise Him!”
But, you may ask, how is it that a man whose life had been so dark, even in the sight of his fellowmen, could be going to spend eternity with Jesus? Well, it was not his goodness clearly―far from that. His face still bore the marks of sin. Ninety years in the devil’s service had left a deep impression. But now, as he nears the grave, he can be quite calm and fearless. Why is this?
A short time previously a Christian woman urged a young man, a preacher of the gospel, to go and see him. Godly men and others had often spoken to and warned the old man, but all apparently to no effect, and long ago he had been given up by all around as indeed past redemption point. But, thank God, if men had given him up, God was not to be thwarted, and was about to show in Mm the power of His salvation.
On his first visit, my friend spoke in his ear the solemn words, “Prepare to meet thy God,” and pointed out that he would have to meet very soon the God he had sinned against with such a high hand. Then, after a few more words, my friend left, promising to call again.
After he had gone, the old man told his wife that he had not heard a word, but he really had, as it was afterward proved.
At first he began to be uneasy as to his departure, and then, as his past life of sin was reviewed, he saw that he well deserved the judgment of God, and with a deep sense of his need he turned to and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ.
After this he was often heard to say: “I’ve been a great sinner, I’ve been a heavy sinner, but Jesus has suffered for my sins. I’m going to be with Jesus.”
What a triumph of God’s redeeming grace: “Is not this a brand plucked from the burning?”
Formerly his cruelty to those around him had been surprising. But all was different now. Tears of joy often run down the cheeks of the aged wife, whom he used to strike and kick and spit upon, but whose joyful lot now is to see what God’s grace can do, oven for the most sinful.
And now, my reader, let me ask, Has this change taken place with you?
It may be quite true that you have not gone to such lengths of sin as the one above referred to, but there is no doubt that you have sinned. Then remember, because of sin your life on earth is forfeited you cannot remain here long, and heaven cannot receive you in your sins few or many, for nothing that defileth can find an entrance there. But, thank God, the One who received the sinner of ninety-three years is just now waiting to receive you. Why then delay longer and run the risk of being shut out forever? Or why attempt to make yourself more fit to come?
“All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.”
Do not refuse again His offered pardon and thus add to your sins.
Today a Saviour waits at the right hand of God―waits even for you. He may not be waiting tomorrow, for His people may have been gathered home, and then all who have refused the gracious world-wide invitation will stand and knock outside the closed door.
Christ sits at God’s right hand, a Prince and a Saviour. He has taken the sinner’s place in death.
“He died for all” so that He might offer you all the joys that accompany salvation now, and give you an eternal place with Him.
Will you not follow the example of this aged sinner and trust your all to Jesus?
C. J. R.