"'It is never too late to mend.' Do you believe that, Miss Hall?”
"Of course I do! I believe everything that is in the Bible.”
"But that 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 Hall, I for one do not believe it. It is a flat contradiction of the Word of God.”
"What! Do you mean to say that anyone can be 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 shocked. She had never thought it possible that anyone could be past mending, and little did she know that she was one such.
My reader, have you ever thought of this matter? The Bible is plain and positive on this point. It describes us all as "filthy," for Psalm 14 says, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not one.”
The Bible tells us too that we are all "under sin" (Rom. 3:99What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; (Romans 3:9)), and utterly "without strength" (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)) to deliver ourselves; and in 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) we find that we are "dead in trespasses and sins," and altogether without hope.
Many other verses in Scripture teach us that we are past mending, past reforming, past improving. But, thank God, though it is always "too late to mend," it is not too late to be saved. Though we are sunk deep in the mire and filth of sin, the strong arm of Jesus is able to save us, though no power in heaven or earth can mend us. And whom He saves, He makes into a new creature. "Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Heb. 12:77If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:7).
Reader, do you want that arm of power to save you? Then get down on your knees, and say, "O Lord! I own that I am just what Thou dost say that I am. I am ungodly! I am vile! I have done nothing but sin! I deserve to be put in the flames of hell forever.”
Tell it all out to Jesus. Take the low place of a poor unworthy sinner at His feet. Put your wholehearted 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 to Him 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. I am a poor sinner, but I 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 become a new creature in Christ.