When I was a boy at school, unsaved and unconcerned about my salvation, I was brought to think of eternity and my lost condition through overhearing a conversation between my mother and a Christian woman who was at our house spending an evening. They were talking together about the second coming of Christ—a truth that they had just recently learned from the Scriptures—and the change that would be wrought among the living and the dead in that moment of His return for His people.
I was sitting in the room pretending to read a book at the time; but the conversation became so interesting that. I put aside my story and sat listening to what they were saying.
"There is a dark side to it," said the Christian lady to my mother. "What about those of our households who will be yet unsaved when Jesus comes? They will be left behind for the judgment. The doom of those who have lived rejecting Christ will be sealed then. I often think if we should be caught away during the still hours of night, what an awakening it will be to the unconverted ones under our roof, to find us gone, and them left behind!"
I could stay no longer. I crept out and got off to bed as quickly as possible. That word haunted me. What if the Lord should come during the night? I knew that my dear father and mother would be "caught up." They were both saved; so were my sister and our servant girl. I alone in the house was unconverted.
I spent several nights in sore trouble, thinking of the possibility of being left. Several mornings when I awoke in the early stillness I thought they had gone. One morning I felt so uneasy I arose, dressed, and stood on the stair listening for a sound from the kitchen. How thankful I was to hear Mary, the servant, lighting the fire! I knew then the Lord had not come yet, and that I had another chance given me to be ready for Him.
At last I could endure it no longer. I told a Christian young man who worked in my father's office about my state. He said it was God speaking to my soul, urging upon me the need of deciding for Christ. He advised me not to stifle my convictions, but to come to Christ, accepting Him as my Savior.
"If you have Christ, you can then rejoice that He is coming; but remember: there is no time to trifle!"
This sounded to me like God's final warning. I saw clearly that I had to make a choice between Christ and my own will: between Christ and the world. I could halt no longer. Going out into the dark night; I took off my cap and, looking up into the starry heavens, I prayed my first real prayer.
"Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Savior; I believe that Thou hast died for me; I want to be Thine."
I believed God's testimony, and thanked Him for giving it to me as I hastened to my room. What relief! I was saved, everlastingly saved. I could scarcely realize that it was true, but my heart was filled with peace. I had the witness within me, as well as the word of God before my eyes, that I was in reality saved. I could not keep it to myself. I ran downstairs and told my parents and sister, and there was great joy that night.
Now I longed to see the Savior of my soul. No fear came at the thought that soon He would return to call His ransomed people home to share His glory, for "perfect love casteth out fear." Now the love of God was shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost given unto me. (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5).) I loved Him because He first loved me. (1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19).) Happy portion of the believer!
Reader, have you ever thought what the coming of the Son of God will do for you? Will you be among those caught away to "eternal glory," or will you be left to "eternal judgment"? Pause and think!
"These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
Left, though God pleaded often,
Asked thee again and again:
Called, but thou wouldst not hearken;
Why was it all in vain?
Left, not because He wished it,
Left, at thine own self-will;
Left, and thy heart grew harder:
Thou roast rebellious still.
Left for the coming judgment,
Left for the sinner's doom;
Left, while thy life-day darkens
Into a solemn gloom.
Left, but instead of heaven
What will thy portion be?
"Weeping and wailing" only
All through eternity.