HOW strange it is that so many are unwilling to be saved in God’s way and at God’s time!
“I am waiting God’s time,” is the answer frequently given after urging a person to immediate decision. In reality such a one is refusing God’s time, which is now! and putting off until the devil’s, which is never!
Let me quote, for the reader’s benefit, some of the texts which show that there is no time like the present, and that God would have the reader settled as to the solemn question of eternity, and that now, on the spot, — yes, even before laying down this little book.
“Acquaint now thyself with Him [God], and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee” (Job 22:21).
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Eccl. 12:1).
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18).
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isa. 4:6).
“All things are ready: come unto the marriage” (Matt. 22:4); and when God says, “Come,” He intends that there should be an immediate response.
“They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut” (Matt. 25:10).
“Come; for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:17).
God “now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30, 31).
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Surely all these, and many more that might be quoted, are sufficient to show the reader that it is the devil, and not God, that is leading him to put off to another day the settlement of the question which may be, and which should be, settled today!
“It is all very well for you, sir, as has nothing to do but to think of these things all day long,” said a young man, who was driving me along a country road; “but look at the likes o’ us, in them stables from six in the morning till sometimes ten at night. I ask you, sir, when has we time to think? Go to church on a Sunday? Why, it’s our busiest time!”
“Now,” said I, “that is but a paltry excuse, put into your heart by the devil, the great enemy of your soul. My work is often not done until two and three in the morning, and yet that does not hinder my believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. You do not require to think a great deal before being saved; and as for going to church, a great many who go there every Sunday of their lives are as far from being saved as many who never entered one in their lives. Oh no, thinking will not save you — weeping will not save you— praying will not save you — working will not save you — going to church will not save you. But Christ will save you, and save you on the spot, if you will only believe in Him.”
Yes, my reader, this is what is needed — just simply to believe. But to believe what?
First, Believe that you are a sinner, — believe that you are a guilty sinner, — believe that you are a lost sinner, — believe that you are a sinner on your way to, judgment, — believe that you are a sinner on your road to hell; then, Second, Believe that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,— believe that the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, — believe that His precious blood was shed as an atonement for sins, — believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth from all sin. Yes, believe that the work of God’s dear Son is finished; and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, and placed Him in heavenly glory, as the proof that He is fully satisfied with that blessed work, — and then do not be ashamed nor afraid to confess it, for God has said, that “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
“But is it only to believe? That seems too easy!” How often does the devil put this excuse into people’s lips!
Yes, it is only to believe; but simple as this seems, it is just the very thing people will not do. It is too humbling to their pride. Oh, if every reader of these pages only believed what is found above under the heading First, he would soon believe what is under the heading Second; and being filled “with all joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:13), his heart would soon overflow with praise, and his lips be ready to confess Christ before the world.
May God the Holy Ghost produce this soul-saving faith.
“But must I not repent?” Most certainly; and what surer way is there of repenting than to believe God’s testimony concerning yourself, and then to believe His testimony concerning His Son!
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3); but “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted!” (Acts 3:19)
A. H. B.