"It Is Reported That You"

“IT Is REPORTED.” What tales of sadness and of joy have followed these three words before now! Add two more, and you could hardly find a man on earth that would not be all attention instantly. “It is reported that you―” For where is the man who has not some secret that he would not like to become a common report in the ears of his fellow-men?
We expect therefore, dear unconverted reader, to get your earnest attention, since we have to say that a report has reached us about you.
About me?
Yes, a serious one, and about you.
Ah, but you must not believe every report you hear.
True enough; but there is no mistake about this one.
Then pray let me hear it.
Well, it appears that every tittle of your history has been minutely watched by an eye that nothing escapes; and what is more, all has been accurately recorded (Prov. 5:21, 15:3; Eccl. 12:1414For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14); Rev. 20:12,1312And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:12‑13)). Weigh well the evidence, and if you think you can disprove it, go to the Chief Witness and say so.
The report states that you have been cruelly deceived by one who seeks, with subtlety, to accomplish your everlasting ruin (Rev. 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10); 2 Cor. 4:3,43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4)). And the worst part of the deception is that you have been induced by your subtle enemy to refuse the kindness of your truest Friend, and that you carefully avoid being brought into contact with Him (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40)). Is not this also sadly too true?
It is stated that you even know (though your enemy would fain have you forget it) that, in connection with the charges to be brought against you, a certain “officer” is on your track to arrest you, and that that “officer” may put his cold hand upon you at any hour, day or night, waking or sleeping; and that, though you are in terror of his very shadow, you obstinately persist in pursuing your old course (Job 24:1717For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. (Job 24:17); Matt. 5:25, 2625Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (Matthew 5:25‑26)). You cannot deny the truth of this.
But wait a moment; there is
ANOTHER REPORT.
This is a good report; so good, indeed, that human ears never listened to a better. But it is not about you this time, though sent to you.
One great comfort about it is that you have not to try to be anything but what you are in order that this report may benefit you. As sure as the first report has come from heaven about you, the second—the gospel of God’s saving grace—has been sent from heaven to you (1 Peter 1:1212Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)). You are not asked to be worthy enough to receive it. But you are told that the report is worthy of being received (1 Tim. 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)).
Be assured of this, that whether you are constrained by the Spirit of God to believe “this” faithful saying “and come to Christ, or prevailed upon by the enemy to refuse and stay away, your soul is beyond all description precious.” Lose it, and your all is lost—LOST FOREVER!”
You must either “repent” or “perish”; “turn” or “die.” You must either make haste and come to Christ for salvation, or loiter and be lost. “Linger not” is mercy’s cry. Another day of lingering may land you in a night of despair. It has been said that “hell is the truth seen too late.” Loiter not another moment lest you be forever too late. Remember that once in hell all the blame will be locked up in your own bosom: and what bosom could bear it? “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” WHY WILL YE DIE?