Are You Prepared to Meet God?

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 5
 
I was much struck by three instances of sudden death which a servant of God related while preaching the gospel.
The first was that of a young lady living at R—, to whom he spoke about her soul's salvation.
"There is plenty of time to think about that sort of thing later on," was her reply.
In less than a week this poor young creature was laid on her dying bed. The preacher visited her, and begged her to accept 'Christ as her Savior, but her agonized cry was, "It is too late now, too late now, God will not receive me now;" and then she called out, "O God, stop my breath," and fell back a corpse.
The second was that of a young sailor who heard of the conversion of his mate, and going up to him said, "I hear you are saved. How did it come about?”
"Well," said the other, "I heard the story of Jesus' love for me, how He suffered and died in my stead. and I just believed it, and thanked Him for it, and He saved me.”
"Is that all? It sounds easy, I must think about it," was the reply.
The next day that poor young fellow fell from the mast head and was picked up dead. He, like Felix of old, put off looking into these important matters until a "more convenient season" (Acts 24:2525And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25)).
The third incident was a bright contrast to the other two. The preacher and a young man in the Soudan belonging to the Naval Brigade were speaking together on the eve of a battle, wondering if they would be killed in the oncoming fight. The young man said, "I am not afraid to die, for sudden death would be sudden glory for me.”
He then went in and out among his companions distributing tracts and speaking a word of solemn warning to those around him. The next day that dear young fellow was shot down and carried into camp dead.
Reader, with which of these will you spend eternity? The two first who died without Christ; or with the young soldier who was prepared to meet his God and who is now with Christ?
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1).
"The Lord is at hand;" repent and turn to Him before it is too late.
Do not act the Christian, by doing good deeds and attending a place of worship on Sunday; but be a Christian, by simply trusting in Jesus as your Savior, then you can work for Him.
Let me again urge you to prepare to meet your God.
"BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST."
"THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."