A True Story.
IT was a cold winter’s morning, with a biting east wind, which made one feel for the soldiers in the trenches, when a soldier’s wife, a widow (alas! there are many such) came into the writer’s house to assist in the housework.
Her husband had recently been wounded in France and died there in Hospital. Poor woman, how she missed him; and the dear children also—crying for a father who would never return. She loved to carry about with her a photo of his grave with the little wooden cross upon it.
On the morning referred to, she came in very much upset, and this was her story:
“One afternoon last week, I went to a Memorial Service, which seemed to give me comfort, for I gathered from what the preacher said, that the soldiers who gave their lives for king and country, by so doing stood a very good chance of gaining heaven. I therefore felt that my husband, whom I knew was unconverted when he went out to France, had perhaps gained heaven by dying for his country. On the same evening I went to a meeting-room where Captain S― (a retired Captain of H.M. Navy) was preaching the Gospel. During his preaching he related how a soldier came to him the other day, and said, ‘Captain; may I ask you a question?’ ‘Yes, certainly,’ was the reply and I will answer’ your question if I can.’ ‘Well, then,’ said the soldier, ‘this is it: If a soldier or sailor gives his Life for king and country whilst fighting the enemy, does he through this go to heaven? ‘Certainly not,’ replied the gallant Captain, ‘if he never as a lost and guilty sinner accepted the lost sinner’s Saviour (who gave His life upon the Cross as the Sin-bearer) if he never received the forgiveness and cleansing freely offered to him through Christ’s precious blood, that man being a rejecter or neglecter of Christ, must bear the consequence; the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).).’
“When I heard this,” said the poor woman, “all my comfort left me, and being much perplexed I said, I’ll go and make inquiry about this question from ―, I know they will tell me what is true and right.”
Thus it was that she came to us as stated at the beginning, and having unburdened her heart she waited anxiously to hear what we had to say. In kindly tones we pointed out that what the Captain had stated was right, for he had spoken according to the Word of God. But what the other preacher had stated was wrong, being destitute of scriptural authority; and having said this, we went on to point out an important consideration which she apparently had not taken into account, namely, that when her husband was in France—perhaps even when in hospital, some message from the Word of God might have reached his heart and led him to trust in the Saviour before he died, in which case life eternal would be his through the merit of Christ’s sin-atoning sacrifice.
It is perfectly evident that no man can gain heaven by means of anything he can do, for it is written, “By grace are ye saved through faith.... Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8, 98For 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. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).). “Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5).). For “We are all as an unclean thing, and 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).). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20).). “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5).).
It is certain that through the atoning death of the Lord Jesus (and on this ground only) God can righteously pardon any sinner that believeth on Him, whether he be soldier, sailor, or civilian. The glorious Gospel message is, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).).
J. D.