On a bright May day in the year 1779, the garrison of Edinburgh Castle was called to assemble on Castle Hill. The “Black Watch,” then known as the “Forty-Second Highlanders,” marched slowly from the Castle with muffled drums. Three empty coffins were carried, behind which walked three soldiers who had been found guilty of desertion and were sentenced to be shot.
In the solemn silence an officer read aloud the sentence, and the three condemned men knelt beside the coffins with their eyes blindfolded and their arms bound. The firing party was drawn up in front of them with their guns raised, waiting for the command to fire.
The commanding officer, Sir Adolphus Oughton, instead of giving the fatal word stepped forward and, holding up in his hand three papers, read: “‘In consequence of the gallantry displayed by the Forty-Second Regiment to which two of the prisoners belong, it has pleased His Majesty to pardon the three soldiers!’ Resume your arms and rejoin your companies!”
The three Highlanders were released and returned to the ranks, to give the lives that had been spared to their king. From that day the three pardoned and grateful men were loyal to their king and faithful in his service.
This incident of over two centuries ago illustrates greater things. The three men who were found guilty, condemned and awaiting execution are like the sinner (this means all of us), for the Bible tells us that “all have sinned” and that the whole world has been found guilty before God. The sinner is condemned already, with only a breath between him and an eternal hell. Nothing that he can ever do, no good deeds or reformation of his, can ever reverse the death sentence. Is there no escape or deliverance?
Yes, thank God, there is an escape and that in perfect justice and righteousness. The three Highlanders were pardoned on the ground of what others had done, because of the bravery of “The Black Watch.” And, because of the perfect sacrifice of Christ for the sake of sinners, God can forgive the guilty. He can do this righteously, for the blood of Christ Jesus was shed to atone for sin and rebellion against God. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7)).
So perfectly, so fully has God been satisfied with what Christ has done that He raised Him from the dead and set Him on high to give forgiveness of sins to sinners. Here is the proclamation of pardon: “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
Thousands—millions—have believed it, rejoiced in it, thanked God for it and given their lives a thank-offering to Him—not to earn His pardon, but because they already have it.
“How do you know there is a God?” asked a man of an Arab whom he found praying at the door of his tent.
“How do I know that it was a man and not a camel that went past my tent last night?” replied the Arab. “I know him by his tracks.” Pointing over to the glowing west, where the sun was setting in a sea of crimson fire, he said, “There is the track of God.”
There is a God, all nature cries—I see it painted
on the skies;
I see it where the rivers flow; I see it stamped
on hail and snow;
I see it in the clouds that soar; I hear it when
the thunders roar;
I see it when the morning shines; I see it when
the day declines;
I see it in the mountain’s height; I see it in
the smallest mite;
I see it everywhere abroad—I feel—I know
there is a God
“Between what?” you ask.
Between God and Satan; between heaven and hell; between happiness and misery forever.
“Well,” you say, “I have not thought so much of it as I ought to have done, but there is plenty of time.”
That is a deadly mistake!
Among many who have made that mistake, God gives us a notable instance. There was a man who thought that his life consisted in the abundance of the things he possessed. His crops were large, his barns overflowing and his heart taken up by his possessions.
I don’t doubt that thoughts of God and eternity sometimes stole over his mind, but Satan whispered, “Look at your riches—there is plenty of time to attend to the claims of God.”
He took the bait, believed the lie and said to his soul, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:1919And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (Luke 12:19)). He had made a fatal error. Before the morning dawned, life had departed from that pampered body and a hopeless eternity had broken on his God-neglecting soul. He had deliberately made his choice, and God had taken him at his word.
I firmly believe this one thing about him—he never meant to be lost, for he says to his soul, “Thou hast much goods laid up for many years.” It may be he cherished the delusion of turning to God in sickness or on his deathbed, promising himself many years before that unwelcome time should come. How little that poor, procrastinating man thought that death was, as it were, waiting in the next room.
One word from God, and death has calmly walked up to its victim, laid an icy hand upon his shoulder—it may be while he slept—and quietly retreated, leaving behind a lifeless body and freeing his soul to lift up its eyes in torment. He had made his choice—is it possible yours can be the same?
Have you made your choice?
“Well,” you say, “I hope to do so soon.”
Who does not? But are you sure of another day? Your “soon” may be God’s “too late.”
Have you made your choice?
“Not yet, not yet,” you say.
Then, whatever it is that is keeping you back—business, home, fame, family, pleasure—if you place any value upon that soul of yours, set every other consideration aside and give yourself no rest until this question of questions is settled.
God is asking you while you read this: “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:2626For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)).
Have you made your choice?
“I have set before you
life and death . . . therefore
choose life.”