Yes, better than gold. What all the gold of the world could not do, these golden words from God have done. They have brought love, hope, salvation and rest to thousands of weary hearts. Are they not, therefore, better than gold, yea, than much fine gold? Let us all read the first golden text.
JOHN 3: 16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” What glorious words are these! Seven great facts are here. “God loved” — the greatest Friend; the largest heart. “The world” of men, His great enemies. “Gave His Son” — the best of all gifts. “Whosoever” — the widest invitation. “Believeth in Him” — the simplest way, the only way. “Should not perish” — the greatest deliverance. “Have everlasting life” — the richest possession.
How many have believed the love, received the gift, and thanked God for eternal life? I know many boys and girls who have. They love 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) because it was the verse that led them to the Saviour.
ISAIAH 45:2222Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22) — “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Here is the way of life in a nutshell. Who does not understand it? So simple. so sure. “Look” —easiest thing to do; not work, not pray, not try, but look. “Unto Me” — not unto men, but to the Lord Jesus. Just as the bitten Israelite looked to the serpent on the pole, so the sinner looks to Jesus uplifted on the Cross. “Be ye saved” — the sure result. No hope in the notice, but “be ye saved.” Just what the jailor at Philippi heard, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15) — “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” What a wonderful word this is? No wonder Paul calls it “a faithful saying”! No wonder he says it is “worthy of all acceptance”! “Christ Jesus came” — the highest Person from the highest and holiest place. “Into the world” — the devil’s empire, among his followers. “To save sinners” — a divine work for a described people. Are you one of those for whom He came? Not a very nice name that word, “sinners.” Still it was to “save sinners” — nobody else — that Jesus came.
MATTHEW 9:2828And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. (Matthew 9:28) — “Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Not a difficult thing to do, is it? Not “Go” but “Come” — a sweet invitation, a loving Friend. “All ye” — a large number. “Labor” — a weary worker for salvation. “Heavy-laden” — a burdened sinner. “I will give” — a free gift. “Rest” — a great relief, a sweet refreshing. Have you accepted this invitation, and found this relief? All who come to Jesus know it.
ML 07/30/1967