In a suburban station a crowd of passengers were awaiting the arrival of the interurban train for the City. Some were pacing to and fro, some were chatting or reading the newspapers. Suddenly, from the opposite side of the station, a gentleman leaped on to the rails, sprang nimbly over the various obstacles, and quickly joined the throng. At the same time, the incoming train was seen approaching. It had passed under the little bridge that spanned the line, and which formed the proper means of communication between the two sides of the station.
As the newcomer mounted the side of the platform, he was addressed by one of the passengers among whom he had so suddenly arrived. Between them an interesting dialog took place.
"What made you so suddenly change your mind and cross the tracks as you did?"
"Oh, on the approach of the train I discovered that I was on the wrong side of the station."
"Did you know you were taking an awful chance? If that approaching train had been moving more rapidly than you imagined, or had you been less agile than you were, you might have been knocked over and killed. Who would have been to blame for your death?"
"I suppose that in reality I should. It would have been my own fault."
"And why would you be to blame?"
"Because I should have crossed by the bridge. The company has posted up a notice saying that everyone must cross the tracks by that way."
"So you disregarded, first of all, their clear warning of danger. Secondly, you deliberately refused the means of safety they have provided."
"Yes, you are right. It is as you say, although you have presented the case more seriously than I had thought it."
"Then, if you had been run over, the railway company would have been completely free from blame?"
At this point the two friends seated themselves side by side in the railway train. They continued their conversation as they went on their way to their destination.
The older man asked: "Now, sir, do you know why I put your recent action in so strong a light while we were on the platform?"
"No."
"Just because it afforded such an excellent illustration of the gospel. Do you realize what great danger you are in by not availing yourself of the provision God has made for those who are on the wrong side of the way to heaven? Yet they can cross over in perfect safety to the other side. They may thus escape the inevitable dangers that eternity has in store for those who neglect God's way, and be safely transported from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Those who were afar off may be brought nigh. This is why Christ has suffered. He suffered, 'the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.'
"Did the beauty and wonder of that verse of Scripture ever dawn upon your mind? He suffered! He would bring, not send for us; He would bring us to God, and set us right down in His presence, as the Good Shepherd carried home the sheep. What love! What devotion! What blessedness! This is God's way—by way of Christ on Calvary's cross.
"Will you avail yourself of it? Or will you keep on neglecting God's way as you disregarded the company's bridge? If so, you must inevitably be cut down—perish forever—never to behold His face, never share in the joy of His presence.
"Be wise! Be as wise in matters of eternal import as in the affairs of daily life. Cross now to the right side by Him—the Way wail yourself of the provision that God has made, and taste the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."
Before the train arrived at the end of its short journey, the arrow of conviction had gone right into the heart of the listener. He alighted from the train fully convinced that Christ is the only One in whom he could trust to carry him safely beyond the reach of judgment, and into the presence of God with great joy. May you, reader, learn, before it be too late, to definitely avail yourself of God's provision for your safety and blessing.