" 'It is never too late to mend.' Do you believe that, Miss H.?"
"Of course I do; I believe everything that is in the Bible."
"But that saying is not in the Bible, you may search from the first chapter to the last, and you will not find it."
"Still it is quite true, is it not? everybody believes it."
"Well, Miss H., I for one do not believe it. It is a flat contradiction of the Word of God."
"What! do you mean to say that there is anyone who is past mending?"
"Yes, that is just what I do mean, and the person who is past mending is yourself, and every other sinner on the face of the earth."
The young lady to whom these words were spoken seemed greatly surprised; she had never thought it possible that anyone should be past mending, and little did she know that she herself was one such.
My reader, have you ever thought of this matter? The Bible is plain and positive on this, point.
Once again, it tells us, that we are "dead" in "trespasses and sins," and altogether without hope (Eph. 2:1-121And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:1‑12)).
There are many other verses in Scripture which teach us that we are past mending, past reforming, past improving. But, thank God, though it is too late to mend, it is not too late to be saved.
We are past mending, but, thank God, we are not past saving! We are sunk deep in the mire and filth of sin, but the strong arm of Jesus is able to save us, though no power in heaven or earth can mend us.
Reader! do you want that arm of power to save you? Then I will tell you what to do. Get down upon your knees, and say, "O Lord! I am just what Thou dost say I am. I am ungodly; I am vile; I have done nothing but sin, and I deserve to be put into the flames of hell forever."
Tell it all out to Jesus, take the low place of a poor unworthy sinner at His feet, and put your whole-hearted trust in Him as your Savior. Remember it was for sinners like you that He died. Think of the blood which He shed to make atonement for sin. Then, look up and say from your heart,
"Lord Jesus, I am guilty and helpless, but Thou art able to save, Thou did'st shed Thy blood for me, and I, a poor sinner, rely upon the merits of that precious blood. I trust in Thee, I confide in Thy love, and I flee to Thee for pardon."
If words like these come from your heart, they will reach the Savior's ear. And what will be the result? You will be pardoned and saved forever! Yes, for the Bible says,