A CERTAIN may once said, “Were it possible to know the day I had to die, I would spend a fortune on that day.” Judging from his determination, this person was evidently ignorant of what death would mean to him. People do not think of spending at such a time. Rather is it a very solemn event, and rightly so, being the sentence of God upon fallen man. Doubly serious is such a moment to one uncertain of the future; who is a stranger to God; with a life-time of sin pressing heavily on the soul.
We would just refer to the memorable words said to have been uttered by Queen Elizabeth in the hour of death, “A handful of gold for a moment of time,” as showing how dreadful it is when the soul wakes up to responsibility, alas! too late. “I won’t die,” said another, with the energy of despair, as chill death was creeping on with resistless step; but the natural will is powerless in such an extremity.
What about the hour of your departure, my reader? Can you contemplate with calmness that moment when you will close your eyes on this scene, to open them in eternity? The rich man of Luke 16 lifted up his eyes in hell. Hopeless for evermore; filled with unutterable anguish and regret; with memory still alive and active—what a plight was his! God grant, dear friend, it may never be yours There is a bright eternity in front of those who now accept God’s offer of salvation, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“In time and to eternal day—
‘Tis with believers well!”
Have you seen the picture of the man, who, with bent head, is earnestly engaged sweeping away at his self-imposed task, utterly oblivious of the one hovering overhead, ready to place a golden crown on his brow, if he would only look up? Man neglects the crown of life in a vain endeavor to make a respectable appearance in a world which is all opposed to the ways of God. Give up self-improvement, my reader; you will never be able to satisfy God in that way. The flesh is incurable, and must be set aside. Nothing short of perfection will do for God, and you can never produce it in yourself. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). The only safe place for you is in Jesus, as Paul could say, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness” (Phil. 3:99And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:9)).
Cain brought the best that he had to God, but it would not do. Abel, recognizing the true state of affairs, put the life-blood of another between himself and God, and was accepted. “When I see the blood I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:1313And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (Exodus 12:13)). All pointed to the spotless victim upon Calvary. Man tries every possible way before acknowledging that he has nothing for God. But to that conclusion he must come. God only could judge the depths to which man had sunk; and He alone could provide the remedy. He has done so. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:2121For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:21)). The first man is gone in the death of Christ. In Christ risen we have the binning of a new creation. All who would stand in favor with God must be found in Christ—the Man in the glory. Needless to say, this can only be a work of God. To one who in simple faith can accept the Word of God, the way is easy. The claims of God have been righteously met in the death of Christ, “who was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)). Do you believe it? God would not have raised Christ if He had not been fully satisfied. The work of the cross has given such perfect satisfaction that salvation full and free is being pressed upon your acceptance.
Sinner 1 would you escape from coming judgment? There is only one way! You must come to God, pleading the merits of Jesus. God will have every one bow the knee to that blessed Man, either now or in a future day. Far better own Him now and be saved than wait till you are forced to bow, when pardon is unobtainable. “He that believeth is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)). By rejecting the grace of God you put yourself under condemnation now. Each fresh refusal of salvation is making it more difficult for you to believe. Oh, do not go down to an eternity of unavailing regret! Each moment is bringing you nearer the end. Time is speeding on with relentless haste. Soon your little day will be over. Which is it to be, dear friend? Will you meet the Lord in the air, with a radiant smile on your face and gladness in your heart, or shrink in terror from His face in judgment, when no shelter will be found?
The return of Jesus draws nigh. “I will come again and receive you unto myself,” were His words to His own (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)). The last intimation in the Word of God is, “Surely I come quickly” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)). It may be tonight. Are you ready to meet Him? Only “they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut” (Matt. 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)). What if you are left outside after all your opportunities? Think of an eternity spent in bemoaning your lost estate! To be fixed in that awful place, where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” If you come to Jesus now, with what joy will you meet Him on that happy resurrection morning! A few moments in His company will compensate for all the toils of the journey here; and if a few moments, what will an hour be, yea, an eternity, with the One “who loved us and gave Himself for us”!
Reader, if you do not know Jesus yet, we beseech you to get acquainted with Him without delay; for you must know Him in time if you would dwell with Him in eternity. The result of unconditional surrender to God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be your name written in the Lamb’s book of life, and everlasting glory ahead.
“Return, O wanderer, to thy home,
‘Tis madness to delay;
There are no pardons in the tomb,
And brief is mercy’s day. Return! return!”
P. D.