Or, “It Shall Never be Said That I Left the World in Debt.”
IN one of the towns situate upon the beautiful Lake of Geneva, where the writer of this narrative was staying, two men were talking together. Words of dispute arose between them, leading to the remark that one of them would not be alive fifteen days hence.
Why and with what intent this was said, the writer cannot say. Such speeches are usually made without meaning; nevertheless God takes notice of hasty sayings and idle words. Moreover He often orders the very circumstances to bring about what man chooses to say, as will be seen in this solemn, and striking instance.
The man spoken of as soon to die was evidently moved by the statement, for shortly after he went, in a most defiant manner into a shop, where he was in the habit of dealing, and with an oath, demanded his bill. He then repeated the words of his companion to the shop-keeper, and added, “It shall never be said that I left the world in debt.” The bill was paid, and for the moment all passed as a mere tale that is told. The next day was Sunday.
It was a brilliant cloudless day, with the sun shining in all its splendor, and the beat, so much felt or the borders of the Swiss Lakes, was intense.
The lovely lake, of deep blue color, appeared it all its beauty and looked like a fixed sea of glass. Despite its being the Lord’s Day, the lake was all alive with pleasure seekers. The steamers were crowded, flags flying, and music playing, and even the smallest rowing boats were all engaged. At the height of its beauty and gaiety a warning voice (so to speak) suddenly was heard, as is often the case before a storm in the lake districts; a small cloud was seen peeping over the top of one of the grand mountains. It rapidly spread and grew blacker as it approached.
Within twenty minutes the distant thunder and heavy rain had broken over the lake and town, and the calm waters had totally changed into the appearsance of the troubled sea. It was quite in character with the storm encountered by the disciples when crossing the lake.
A small boat, containing a man, his wife, child, and friend, was seen battling with the waves. At length with difficulty the wife, child, and friend were got on to the Pier; but before the man could step out, the boat was dashed to pieces, and he sank beneath the waves, to rise no more in this world.
That man, dear reader, was the very one who, only twenty-four hours before had boastingly declared “It shall never be said that I left the world in debt.” The wife, though rescued was in a most prostrate condition. She anxiously desired to know the fate of her husband, and when told that he was drowned, she immediately fell back, and died. Thus both husband and wife passed into eternity.
The man who was anxious to pay his debts here has now to learn, if he did not in his closing moments, the solemn fact as to his sins against God. If, in his reckoning, he left out God, and His claims, together with the only and all sufficient remedy in Jesus and in His precious blood, it was to his own peril, and will prove his eternal ruin and misery. Here we must leave his solemn case.
And now, dear reader, may I ask, should your end be within twenty-four hours, where are you as to your debts? Righteously straight you may be with man; but how is it with God? Remember, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:19). A guilty conscience with your sins upon you proves you not only to be in debt, but with no means or power to pay it.
It is useless saying as to God and your sins, that you will at once go, and get your bill and settle it. Neither money nor works of your own will avail; for it is distinctly stated in the Word of God that “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22).
Have you seriously weighed this? If not, I pray you to give attention to the fact that it is blood, and blood only, which atones for sin. This is what God claims; but neither you nor any sinner can give it.
If such are the holy and righteous demands of God, who can meet them? Blessed be God! what the sinner cannot provide for himself God has done for him. He who hates sin loves the sinner, having given His only begotten Son as the everlasting proof of it. That holy and spotless Lamb settled at Calvary the question of sin. There sin’s heavy debt was paid to the full; as it is written, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust.” (1 Peter 3:18.)
His precious blood was shed for the remission of sins, and in virtue of that same blood, He has entered heaven, “having obtained eternal redemption.” (Heb. 9:12.) Thus redemption is accomplished, God is satisfied, and the Redeemer, on account of His one sacrifice has “forever sat down on the right hand of God.” (Heb. 10:12.) What remains therefore but for God to tell it forth? The gospel of God proclaims to all, without distinction, a free and full forgiveness, but through faith in the blood of Jesus. He declares His righteousness in clearing the poor guilty debtor. Precious gospel, making known a just God, yet a Saviour!
God could not pass the sinner by,
His sin demands that he must die;
But in the cross of Christ, we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.
The sin alights on Jesus’ head,
‘Tis in His blood sin’s debt is paid;
Stern justice can demand no more,
And mercy can dispense her store.
The sinner who believes is free―
Can say the Saviour died for me;
Can point to the atoning blood,
And say, This is my peace with God.
Have you this peace, dear reader, through the Saviour’s blood? Are you justified by it? Is Jesus the precious Substitute for your sins? Can you take ap the language at the end of the 4th chapter of Romans, and say, “Who was delivered for (my) our offenses, and was raised again for our justification?
If so, everlasting peace with God must follow; for “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1.) if you neglect the solemn question of your sins, and despise this pardon and peace, provided at such a cost, you will have to encounter a far worse storm than the one you have here read about on the lake.
The Saviour that died, who is now in glory, will, according to His own promise, soon come again, when all true believers, now called to wait for Him, will be caught up to meet Him in the air, to be with Him and like Him forever. But those rejecting Him and God’s message of love will be left behind to be overtaken by judgment, for “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:7-S.) G. G.