I CALLED the other day to see a man who was dying, and during my conversation with him, I said, “No doubt you can look back upon your past life, and see how you have been kept from many dangers. You have heard the gospel many times when in health, and now you cannot say you’re too busy, and have not time for such matters.”
He listened very attentively, and I felt the importance of the moment, as I might never see him again on earth; so I went on to say:
“God knows I have come from London to see you; and just think, God knows your name and address.”
At this his wife, who was present, looked up, and gave a sigh. Then I strove to impress how deeply God was interested in each one of us, and that He had proved it by giving up His Son to die for our sins, at the same time quoting, “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 3:1616For 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).)
“And now it is only for you to stand still, and see the wonderful salvation God has provided for you. God is speaking to you, and it is for you to accept God’s estimate of your condition as a sinner, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” “You need not go to sleep tonight without knowing that all your sins are blotted out forever.”
He murmured something about all right. Then wishing him and his wife “Good-bye,” I left, with my heart lifted up in prayer to God that the word spoken might be blessed to the salvation of the poor man’s soul.
A few days afterward I heard that he had passed away; but just before, be had said how pleased he was that I had been to see him, and that he could have listened all night to the gospel, as he wanted to go to the Saviour.
Dear reader, God has made it possible for you to be there (without your sins); for most certainly you could not be happy for one moment if you were there with them. But, blessed be God, you can be in that glory, praising the One who died to put them away forever. It is only for you to have the question of your sins raised now; it is only for you to accept God’s estimate of your lost and guilty condition, and “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” “He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31); Romans 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25).)
As I said to the man about whom I have been telling you, I say to you, “God knows your name and address.” He knows the worst about you, and He has provided the best for you. He knows you are a sinner; consequently He has provided a Saviour, if you will only believe. Why are you refusing to be reconciled to Him? “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” God gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is He who has done all the work. The Holy Spirit is testifying to you by the written Word, that “through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).)
God is not speaking to you in an unknown tongue. No; He comes to you in your own language. He comes to you where you are, as you are. You have neglected Him, but He has not neglected you. He loves you. The Lord Jesus Christ died to win your heart’s confidence. Will you believe on Him? Listen to His gracious words, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).)
W. J. W.