IN one of the large American cities a team of horses got out of hand, and were dashing headlong down the streets, when a judge, who was on his way to his office, sprang into the roadway, caught hold of the driving rein of one of the horses, dragged the horse back, brought the runaway team to a standstill, and probably saved the driver from sudden death.
Some years later, this very man was on trial for murder. The evidence was overwhelming, and the jury passed a verdict of guilty.
Before passing sentence the judge asked the prisoner, “Have you anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon you?”
“Your Honor,” began the prisoner and stopped.
“Speak on,” said the judge.
“Your Honor, ―” but again no words escaped the prisoner’s lips.
“You must not take the time of the court; have you anything to say?” repeated the judge.
“Your Honor,” replied the prisoner, making a great effort, “I don’t think you remember who I am! You must remember me! Don’t you remember that one morning, as I tame through the streets with a runaway team, you bravely stopped the horses and saved my life?”
The court was silent as the prisoner, with tense look and agonized voice, sobbed out, “Your Honor, in God’s name, be merciful.”
The judge, his face blanched and drawn, looked at him. With trembling lips he said, “Yes, I do remember you now; that day I was your saviour; today I am your judge, and I must do my duty,” and he passed sentence of death on the wretched man.
Who would care to be in the shoes, of that poor murderer, but we pen these lines to warn you that perchance you are in imminent danger of even deadlier peril than this man found himself in. This man was under the sentence of death-so are you, for we read, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:2020The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20)). You have sinned. We all have sinned.
The murderer might know exactly how many days before the execution should take place. You may have many years to live, but the principle is exactly the same, and are you ready for the summons when it comes?
This poor murderer made acquaintance with this gentleman, first as saviour and then as judge. But you must make acquaintance with the Lord Jesus either as
Saviour OR Judge.
Which shall it be?
The poor murderer cried out in heartbreaking tones, “Your Honor, in God’s name, be merciful,” and he could not respond. If you will cry out, “O God, be merciful,” you will find that He is waiting to be merciful, that He sits on a mercy-seat, a throne of grace, and that on the ground of your faith in the Lord Jesus as a personal Saviour He can righteously show mercy. How beautifully simple is the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus 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)).
But if you die unsaved, you will be raised in your sins and judged in your sins, and He who died for you, and would so willingly have been your Saviour, will then be your Judge, and there can be no more mercy then. At that day it shall be said, “They were judged every man according to their works,” and we read that, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:13, 1513And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13)
15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)).
May God grant that you make the acquaintance of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, and never have to stand before Him as Judge, at the great white throne.
The issue lies in your own decision.
THE EDITOR.