The writer remembers on one occasion going on a railway journey. He took a seat in the last carriage and began to read. After a while he suddenly realized that it was well past the time for the train to start.
Putting his head out of the window to see why the train had not started, he was surprised to see the carriage in which he sat standing by itself on the lines. The fact was the train had started at the right time, and left the last carriage behind. Why was this?
The answer is very simple-the link was not on. The last carriage was not part of the train at all, or else it would have been coupled to it.
The matter was not so very serious. There was a train bound for the same destination a few minutes later.
But in the matter of the soul's salvation how vastly important to know whether we have the link on. There are multitudes today who imagine that they are in the train that is bound for heaven, but they are not part of the train at all—the link is not on.
Many people imagine that the ordinance of baptism puts the link on. The Bible does not say so, and that is the great test. Only faith in the Savior is sufficient.
Others imagine that leading a good life, reading the Bible, saying prayers, attending to religious observances, all good things in their place, suffice to make a Christian. You can do all these things and do them earnestly, but none of these things, not all of these things, can put the link on. Did not those, who knocked for admission on the wrong side of the closed door, exclaim, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets "? What answer was given to them? "I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity." (Luke 13:2727But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27)). Many, many, alas! who have eaten and drunk in the Lord's presence, who have even taken the sacrament, the Lord's supper, will find that the link was not on, that sitting in church does not necessarily mean having a place in the gospel train for heaven.
How then do we get the link on? How can we be sure we are right for heaven? The Bible is very plain. The link is forged in the fire of God's judgment upon sin. In other words, it is the atoning work of Christ, and that alone, that forms the ground of blessing for poor, fallen, sinful man.
FAITH is the link—faith in Christ as Savior—faith in the atoning work performed by Him upon the cross. Get it clear in your mind that it is nothing that you can do, no effort or religiousness of yours, that can obtain, or help to obtain, your salvation. It must be of Christ, by His atoning work upon the cross, and by Him alone, that salvation can come to you. It is all of grace, and all of gift, and not of merit and works.
" Nothing either great or small,
Nothing sinner, no,
Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.
IT IS FINISHED! Yes, indeed,
Finished every jot,
Sinner, this is all you need,
Tell me, is it not?"
A young man in an Irish seaport town came to the writer, and told him that the singing of the above hymn was the means of his conversion: that as he sang it he saw the simplicity of the gospel, and trusted the Savior. Cannot you do the same?
The atoning work on the cross is wonderful. When we think who did it, and what He did, we may well trust Him. The very name, Jesus, means Jehovah Savior. He was God, the Son, who became man, never ceasing to be God, who came into the world on purpose to die for man's sin on the cross, to make atonement. The glory of that work is all His. He will not share it with another. What presumption to think that anything the sinner can do, can aid in the matter of salvation. No; anxious friend, come just as you are, come just now, and at this moment make your great decision for time and eternity. "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)). Take God's word as it stands. Do you believe on the Lord Jesus as your Savior? Yes! Then the Word of God declares that you are saved. There is no other way of salvation than this, no other way of putting the link on.
Have you got the link on? Have you faith in the Lord Jesus as your own Savior? Do not rest till you can answer without a question in the affirmative.
Weigh over the following Scriptures.
" Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." (Acts 1-3: 38, 39).
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