IN a little hamlet in the West Riding of Yorkshire I lived a lady, who spent her time in visiting the people of the district. Among such was a bell-ringer of the parish church; a man, who, however, never attended the services. This lady spoke to him about his soul’s salvation, urged him to accept Christ as his Saviour, but he would have none of it, and exclaimed that he was as good as any who went inside the church. She endeavored to show him that the Lord Jesus died for sinners, not righteous people, and that “there is none righteous, no, NOT ONE” (Rom. 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)), but he would not listen. He refused God’s offer of a full and free salvation.
Sometime afterward she was asked to call and see him. He was ill in bed, and had expressed a desire that she should be called. She went, and on reaching the bedside proceeded to kneel in prayer to ask God to guide her in what she should say to him. On a table by his side was a glass of milk. Before she could express any words of prayer, he flung out his arms, knocked over the glass of milk, and shrieked out in agony “LOST!! LOST!! LOST!!” and so died. How terrible an end!
Let this be a solemn warning to you, careless reader. Why will men procrastinate in face of eternal realities? “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the WHOLE WORLD, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:2626For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)).
Friend, “because there is wrath, BEWARE, lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee” (Job 36:1818Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. (Job 36:18)). The Lord Jesus has provided a ransom for you. “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a RANSOM for all” (1 Tim. 2:5, 65For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:5‑6)). You can never say that you have not had the opportunity of obtaining salvation, for God offers it to you as a GIFT. “The WAGES of sin is DEATH, but―the GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). What are you doing with God’s gift? You may do one of two things. You may accept it, and thank Him for it, or you may refuse it.
Lost! What a terrible position to be in! LOST! In the desert. Far from help. Fainting under the beating rays of the tropical sun. No hope! LOST!! Men have been days upon the ocean in an open boat, and the utter helplessness of their position has forced itself upon them. How great the remorse of those men and women who refused the lifeboat, thinking the “Titanic” could not sink. To think that they had the opportunity to escape, but neglected it. There came a time when they cried out earnestly for the lifeboat they had so lately despised. Do you think they were not in earnest then?
How is it with you? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour, or are you putting off the question? There will surely come a time when you will see the folly of such proceeding. God grant that you may not see it when it is too late.
Trust in Christ, and listen to God’s precious word. “If thou shalt CONFESS with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved”
J. W. B.