In an old churchyard in Cornwall was found an unusual epitaph. First was given the name and age of the departed one, and then a real "sermon in stone" was engraved on the marble monument. My reader, let these words sink into your heart.
"I HAVE SINNED. I HAVE REPENTED. I HAVE TRUSTED. I HAVE LOVED. I REST. I SHALL RISE; AND BY THE GRACE OF CHRIST, HOWEVER UNWORTHY I AM, I SHALL REIGN.”
Friend, how far can you go with this saved soul? Not all the way, for you are still in this world; but everybody who reads this epitaph can start it. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). The word "all" leaves nobody out.
Now your next step is "repentance toward God." What is the way to repent? It is taking God's side against yourself. He says in His holy Word that you are altogether bad. (See Psa. 53:33Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 53:3)). Then own that God's estimate of you is true, and that you are a lost, guilty sinner. When you do this, there is good news for you: "Believe on the Lord Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
This was said to men on their knees. If your repentance has brought you to your knees before God, these words are for you. Christ on Calvary's cross made full atonement for your sins, and before He expired He cried: "It is finished!" He completed the work of redemption and God is satisfied. Now there is nothing for you to do but trust Him for eternal salvation—trust Him for present care and keeping in this world—trust Him to "change your vile body into the likeness of His glorious body" when we are, together, "caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”
Since God's Word assures us that the Lord is able for every need of His dear children, then surely such love and care should draw from our hearts the response: "We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19).