“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. 12:14; Rev. 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. 20:10; 2 Cor. 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 5:40). 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 24:17; Matt. 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 1:12). 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. 1:15).
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?