My parents were children of God, and were anxious that my brothers and sisters, together with myself, should be brought to know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. They insisted on our going to the Sunday school, and also to hear the Word of God preached.
The preaching on one Sunday night I well remember. When it was over the preacher went to the door, and spoke to the people as they passed out. Presently he took my sister aside and spoke to her. I saw the tears flow, and indeed I believe my sister was converted that night. In anger I said, "If that's the way he works, making people cry, he is not going to speak to me"; and, crossing the room, I went out by another door.
I lived on without God, getting further and further away from Him after this. But at length the Holy Spirit stopped me, showing me that I was a lost, hell-deserving sinner. He also showed me that I could not get salvation by my own works, or in any way other than by receiving Christ.
I was miserable, and continued in this state for some time, praying God to save me before it was too late, for I knew that if I died in my sins my portion would be outer darkness forever and ever. I knew if the Lord should come, and with His voice wake the dead and call the living, and take them to His home, that my parents would go with Him and that I would be left behind. Though the Word told me that Christ came to seek and to save the lost, I refused to make Him my own. Prayers and works were of no avail; and my misery increased, until God in His grace showed me what does avail.
One Saturday morning, while eating my breakfast, I was reading in a monthly periodical a piece entitled, "Because God says so." The story was about an old lady questioning a gentleman as to how she was to know she had eternal life. The gentleman told her to believe she had it, and on this foundation, "because God says so." Those few words were used to the deliverance of the old lady from her doubts and fears, and, looking into my own heart as I read it, God used it to my deliverance also. I knew I had eternal life, "because God says so." How well I remember that morning! I could have danced for joy. I took God at His word; I knew I was saved there and then, and never have I doubted Him since.
Now I can look forward to the coming of Christ with joy instead of fear. I know that I am a child of God, and that my Father has reserved for me a mansion in heaven. The Lord Jesus said: "In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and...I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Thanks be to God that, where Christ is, that is the place where we shall dwell. He will not send an angel to fetch us, but will come for us in His own blessed Person, and throughout the endless ages of eternity we shall be with Him and like Him.
"With Thee in garments white,
Lord Jesus, we shall walk,
And spotless in that heavenly light
Of all Thy sufferings talk."
And now, dear unsaved reader, ask yourself this question, "Where shall I spend eternity?" Where? Where?
Take God at His word. Believe it, "because God says so." If you spurn the offer, your portion must be weeping and wailing throughout eternity. Eternity! Where shall I spend eternity?
C. S.