OFTEN in our life’s experience we turn aside from everything to consider matters of more or less importance, and after weighing over in our minds the advantages and the disadvantages, the probable gain and the risk of loss — after viewing the case from various standpoints, we arrive at a conclusion; we decide either for or against, and often have to abide by the consequences, as we reap the result, whether for good or ill.
Only a short time ago a man was compelled by the urgency of his case, almost on the impulse of the moment, to make his choice. He was in the employ of a railway company, and was walking along the lines near Birmingham, when he accidentally caught his foot in the points, which instantly closed upon it so tightly that he was unable to extricate it; while he saw to his horror an express train approaching at full speed; he felt that death was imminent, for he knew that should he remain in that position he had but a few seconds to live. What thoughts must have flashed through his mind in those terrible moments of suspense! He realized that he must either lose his life or his foot, and quick as thought his mind was made up, his decision was arrived at, his foot must go, if by any means there was the slightest chance of his life being saved. Acting upon this, he hastily threw himself down between the lines, while nearer and nearer approached the ponderous engine. Oh, the agony of those moments! In vain did the driver endeavor to bring to a standstill the iron monster. On, on it came, and passed over the man’s foot, crushing it so severely that it was necessary to amputate. He acted wisely, and although he lost his foot his life was saved.
Many others, besides the one mentioned above, have made their choice; some for good, others for ill.
Moses,
when forty years of age, decided as to his future course. He refused rank and greatness; he esteemed not riches and honor; he despised luxury and ease; and counted as worthless the pleasures of sin, choosing affliction and suffering with a despised company of slaves. He had respect unto the recompense of the reward, and his reward was sure.
Years later
the multitude at Jerusalem made
their choice. The great crowd consisted of all classes and professions, from the governor and the elders down to the meanest dweller there. They had to choose between the Son of the living God, whose mission was to save life, and the malefactor Barabbas, who was guilty among other things of taking life. Alas! for man’s choice. With hearts full of prejudice and hatred, and eyes blinded by envy, they deliberately chose the guilty Barabbas, and refused the Just One, Jesus, exclaiming, “We will not have this man to reign over us;” crying in the hearing of Almighty God, “Let His blood be upon us and our children.” Shortly afterwards,
King Agrippa,
after hearing from the lips of a servant of Christ who was his prisoner, words which awakened his heart and aroused his conscience, said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian!” Alas! foolish king, indecision is your ruin, for unless you come to a more definite conclusion, the salvation of God you will never have; the peace of God you will never know; the rest which remains for God’s people you will never enter; but God’s righteous ire will be felt both by you and all your followers who are content to be “almost” saved, almost Christians, almost in heaven, but, alas! forever outside.
Souls all around us are perishing because they will not come to a decision. They fain would forget the words of the Son of God, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” They are willingly ignorant of the fact that they cannot enjoy the pleasures of sin and the things of God. They do not realize that they cannot be slaves of sin and the Lord’s freemen at the same time; that they cannot make the best of both worlds; that they cannot both make an idol of sin and worship the Lord of glory; that they cannot tread at the same time the broad way to destruction and the narrow road to heaven. They appear not to have grasped the truth that they can never enter heaven unless their sins are cleansed away, unless they come to Jesus, who alone is the passport into eternal glory.
We would further remind you that there is no neutrality on this point. Refusing to be saved, you choose to be lost; refusing endless joy, you choose eternal woe; refusing the light, you choose the outer darkness; refusing eternal life, you choose the “death that never dies”; refusing God’s great mercy, you choose His righteous curse; refusing the peace He offers, you choose endless remorse; refusing to enter the narrow way, you choose to continue in the broad road which leadeth to destruction; refusing heaven, you choose hell. Oh, the awfulness of your choice!
My friend, what is your choice? Is it Christ or the world? Choose not the fleeting pleasures of sin, or you will reap the wages — death. Come now to Jesus; trust your soul to His keeping; He will receive you, pardon you, and make you meet for eternal glory. And should you be called, in faithfulness to your Saviour and Master, to part with the things which are displeasing to Him, hereafter you shall know the joy of reigning with Christ, to enjoy the pleasures for evermore.
Dear reader, our God in compassionate love is waiting for your choice. The Saviour bends to hear your cry of penitence. The Spirit of God works in your heart to bring you to repentance. The recording angel waits to record in heaven the salvation of your soul. Therefore,
make your choice;
choose ye this day, that henceforth you may be enabled to say―
“My eternal choice is made —
Christ for me.”
Think of the manifold blessings which are consequent upon such a choice: blessings as endless as eternity; blessings which the wealth of the universe could not purchase, but which may be received by simple faith without money or price; blessings such as the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, justification, peace with God, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These blessings and many others flow from a personal reception of the Son of God, for it is still the day of grace, and the promise of God is sure that, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power (or right or privilege) to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name” (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)).
A. G.