The meeting was over. A young man who had listened attentively was introduced to the preacher, who asked if he was a believer in Christ. He replied, in rather an offhand way: "Of course I am! I have always believed in Him. We have no one else to believe in, have we? He died on the cross for us.”
Without arguing, the preacher said, "May I ask how old you are?”
“I am seventeen," said the young man.
“Well now, my dear young man, will you answer another question? If you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you from the pains of hell, have you ever really, when alone, knelt down and thanked Him for it? Is He your personal Savior?”
“No," was his honest reply.
“Then you must be a stranger to Him. He will say to all such, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, ye workers of iniquity.' I beg you, young man, for your soul's sake, for Jesus' sake, sleep not until you have considered your ways and turned to the Lord. Only think, you have reached the age of seventeen, and never thanked the Lord Jesus for all He did in order to pardon and save you forever!”
Friend, are you chargeable with the same neglect of the Lord Jesus? I beseech you to let the love of Jesus, who died for sinners, move your heart to grateful love and adoration of that blessed One. He did a complete work for man's redemption on the cross. He now is on God's throne in glory, waiting for you. He will hear your prayers; He sees your tears; He will rejoice in your faith in Him and in your praise and thanksgiving. Then proclaim to others: "Jesus died for me!”
Of Him and His love will we sing,
His praises our tongues shall employ,
Till heavenly anthems we bring
In yonder bright regions of joy.