In February, 1940, the Canadian Pacific freighter Beaverburn, under the command of Captain Thomas Jones, was sailing from Liverpool to Montreal. Off the coast the Beaverburn was struck by a torpedo and immediately began to sink.
There was no panic, no confusion. Because of their highly efficient training under Captain Jones—and absolute respect for his commands—the entire crew of 77 was saved, with one exception.
The cook, who failed to go to his lifesaving station, jumped over-board and was lost. All the others, safe in lifeboats, were picked up by a tanker and taken to a seaman’s hospital in Ireland.
How often in human affairs, to obey or not to obey is a life or death decision! In the matter of salvation it is always so. Salvation follows the obedience of faith.
The gospel has not only to be heard but also to be obeyed. It is accompanied by a command: “God . . . now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man [JESUS] whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31)).
So, then, to be lost forever, simply close your ear to the glorious gospel—God’s good news—and continue to neglect this great salvation. Your doom will be certain.
The object is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. God pledges salvation to the person who believes on His Son, so that the moment you believe on Him, you may know that you are saved. It is such a simple act of faith, but so marvelously rewarding for time and eternity.