One day a minister, Mr. W—, received an urgent message to visit a man who was at the point of death. Calling at the address given, he was ushered into the room where the dying man lay. Seeing that he was nearing the end of life's journey, he inquired about his spiritual condition. He confidently replied that he had no fear whatever regarding the future. On being questioned regarding the Ground of his Confidence, he said that when he was a youth his father had said to him,
"You are a young man, and the world lies before you. Do all the good you can, and as little harm as possible, and you will have a good chance at the end."
It is surprising at the amazing ignorance displayed by many religious professors regarding God's way of salvation.
Here was an educated man brought up in a land of Bibles and gospel privileges, imagining that deliverance from sin's penalty and power could be obtained on the ground of good works. Multitudes hope to get to heaven by "keeping the commandments." The substance of the "commandments," as explained by Christ, consists in loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, mind, and our neighbors as ourselves. But no one has kept the commandments—except the Lord Jesus Christ. And Scripture declares that,
One sin unpardoned would keep the unsaved reader from entering the abode of the blest. After Mr. W— had shown the dying man that he was building for eternity on a sandy foundation, he brought before him passages of Scripture which explain God's way of salvation. There are many such which clearly explain the scheme of deliverance, a few of which we mention. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts. 16:31.
As the truth was pressed upon him that there is but one way of salvation for rich and poor, educated and illiterate, religious and irreligious, he seemed greatly surprised and said,
"Do you mean to say that I am to be saved in the same way as the reprobates on the streets?"
He was told that he must take the place of a lost, and guilty sinner and accept salvation on God's terms. Where does the reader stand? Are you hoping to enter heaven on the ground of what you have done for Christ; or on the ground of what He has done for you?
Some have come further "short" of God's standard of obedience than others, but every one of us has "come short." The Word of God assures us that "there is no difference" as to the fact of guilt, though there are great differences as to the degrees. God has, at infinite cost—the cost of Christ's precious blood—provided a way of escape.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, He that heareth My Word, and believeth Him that sent Me hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment but hath passed out of death into 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). (R. V.).
Why not now believe on Christ who suffered, bled, and died for you on Calvary's cross that you might be eternally saved?
'Tis not doing, 'tis not praying;
'Tis not weeping saves the soul,
God is now His grace displaying—
Jesus died to make thee whole.
Look to Him and life works follow
Look to Him without delay.
Sinner, look, and ere tomorrow
You will sing and praise and pray.