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“SEARCH the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39). Suppose you are going to make two visits,—one to see Uncle John and the other to see Uncle James. You have never seen either of them.
You have heard something about Uncle John, and have read a few letters from him.
But you have heard a great deal more about Uncle James. You have had many letters from him, and have written often to him. You feel as though you already knew him because you know so much about him. And what you have heard is so good that you have learned to love him very much, even though you have not yet seen him.
Now, to which of these visits are you looking forward with the most pleasure ? Which uncle are you the most anxious to see ? I'm sure you will say, "Uncle James".
Perhaps you are wondering what this has to do with our verse, so listen,
If you know Jesus as your Saviour you are going to make a never-ending visit to His Home,—perhaps very soon.
If you have read much of His Word, and have read it often; if you have learned much of His wonderful love and all His goodness to you; if you have talked with Him day by day in prayer and have come to feel acquainted with Him, you will look forward with much pleasure to seeing Him, just as you would to visiting Uncle James.
But if your time and thoughts are much taken up with other things, and you have failed to acquaint yourself with the One who has given His life for you, you will not long so much to see Him, just as you would be less interested in the visit to Uncle John.
Now, this loving Saviour wants your affection. He wants you to love Him so much that you will long to see and be with Him. "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Col. 3:22Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2).
Our verse today tells us that the Scriptures testify of Jesus. They tell us that Jesus was the One who came to die on the cross to save sinners. They tell us of His love, His grace, His goodness, His mercy, His glory, His power, His holiness. The more we search the Scriptures, the more we will learn of this wonderful Saviour. The more we know of Him, the more we will love Him, and the more we love Him, the more we will long to see Him.
Then turn to Him while you are young. If you do, you will have a much longer time to learn about Him than if you wait till you are old. Furthermore, if you refuse the invitation now, you may grow indifferent and never come to Jesus. Or the coming of Jesus, or sudden death may close for you the door of mercy.
Messages of God’s Love 9/16/1928