We have all read this verse over and over again, but how few believe it! and yet it is so easy to understand; I mean, as to our acceptance of it. Now, dear friend, just look with me at this beautiful verse.
"God so loved." Who was it He "so loved"? His enemies—you and me, dear reader. What did this love lead Him to do?
"He gave His only begotten Son" (the Son who had been with Him from all eternity), "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Now everyone knows the meaning of the word "whosoever." Are not you, dear reader, included in that statement? If God had mentioned your name, you could not be sure it was meant for you after all, because there might be someone else of the same name, but "whosoever" includes all.
The commandant of—Prison was to give pardon to five of the prisoners; they were all assembled, anxiously waiting to know which were the pardoned ones. The commandant rose and said, ' "I have five pardons for five prisoners, the first is for Joshua Huxley.”
He of course expected Joshua would immediately answer, but no one came forward. Again he called, "Joshua Huxley," and again a third time. At last someone at his side said, pointing to the man, "That is Joshua Huxley.”
"Why do you not answer to your name?" asked the commandant.
"O, sir," said he, "I did not think it could mean me. I was waiting, thinking it meant someone else of the same name.”
Now God has no limit to His pardon. He does not promise pardon to a certain number, but leaves us no excuse for doubt. He says:
"Whosoever believeth," nothing more.
You say "I don't feel I am saved." Ah, now, you must begin to reason, and put your own thoughts before God's. God did not say "Whosoever feels this or that." He simply says, "Believe, and you have everlasting life.”
It is so simple. Believe. Hath Nothing to do.”
"They that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
You must come to God just as you are, with all your sins, and all your bad deeds, pleading what Jesus Christ has done for you by shedding His precious blood, and because of what Jesus has done, God will accept you. All that had to be done to meet God's righteous requirements, was done fully by the Lord Jesus Christ, and "raised from the dead." He now offers to you life, pardon, salvation, and nothing to do!
It is no use waiting till you are better to come to Jesus.
"If you tarry till you're better
You will never come at all.”
It is to "him that worketh not but believeth" that salvation is given. What could the thief on the cross do to save himself? He just owned Jesus as Lord, believed He could save him, and Jesus said, "Today, shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”
A man was hurrying for a train, but through his watch being two minutes slow, he lost it. The thought came into his mind, "I'll walk on to the next station.”
As he went, he saw a young man walking from the rectory. He went up to him, and asked him the question, "Where is your rector?”
"He is dead," said the young man. "And did he preach Christ?”
"Yes," he replied.
"Well, my young friend, have you accepted Him?”
The young man seemed indignant, and there was a struggle going on in his mind.
"Now, my friend," said this man, "don't reason. Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ up again from the dead). But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart;—that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." "Now," added the man, "do you believe in Him? It is just as simple as that,—do you accept Jesus for your Savior?" A strange light broke upon the young man's countenance. With his whole heart he replied, "Yes, sir, I do," and "he went on his way rejoicing.”
One minute a lost sinner, the next saved, forever, "shall not come into condemnation.”
"God only offers you mercy today—you know not what may take place before tomorrow.
I have heard of two cases, one of a man saved at three o'clock in the morning, and before twelve there was an explosion in the mine where he worked, and before they could get to him he died.
The other, a young woman, saved one night; the next morning crushed to death.
Today, then, I beseech you, accept God's offer of salvation.
" 'Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distressed?
Come to Me,' saith one, 'and coming
Be at rest.'
If I ask Him to receive me
Will He say me 'Nay?'
Not till earth, and not till heaven
Pass away!'”