A gentleman entered the booking-office of a certain railway station and asked for a ticket to Manchester. The ticket was handed over, he paid the necessary fare, and found his way to the platform. Presently the train came in; he boarded it, comfortably took his seat and felt that he could now enjoy a quiet read before the train should arrive at the busy city which was his destination.
“Tickets, please!” Our friend produced his for the inspector, and it was dilly clipped and returned. Once more he settled into his corner, the train started and sped along at a great rate. After a little while, the gentleman, who was a stranger to that part of England, felt he would like to be assured that he was really on his way to Manchester.
“Is this the Manchester train?” he asked of a man who was sitting in the opposite corner, and who was the only other occupant of the compartment.
“Oh, yes!” was the reply, and both resumed their reading. At last the train drew up at a big station; but imagine our friend’s dismay (for he was to speak at an important meeting that night) when, on alighting, he found that he had been traveling in exactly the opposite direction to the right one! and instead of arriving at Manchester he was at Liverpool! You smile at his predicament perhaps, but what of yourself, friend? Are you sure that you are any better?
Oh, listen! My story is of a gentleman, well-to-do, talented, educated, and of excellent character. He fulfilled all the laws necessary to get to Manchester, by taking a ticket, and getting into the train. The inspector, who should have known better, allowed him to start in the wrong direction, without warning him of his mistake. His fellow-passenger, equally ignorant, further confirmed him in his error.
Oh! how it reminds us of our Saviour’s words: “They be blind leaders of the blind” (Matt. 14:44For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. (Matthew 14:4)). Many people, if asked to which place they are going heaven or hell will reply, “To heaven, I hope.” Not only so, but they think their hope is well-founded. Their lives are excellently moral and upright; they conform to all the rules of religion. Even the very “ticket” they hold is duly examined by the “official” of the church, the clergyman or minister. And so they settle down on that journey in which are no Return Tickets, sincerely in earnest, sincerely believing they are safe, sincerely hoping and expecting to arrive in heaven at last but oh! that terrible word “MISTAKEN” sincerely “MISTAKEN” all the time!
Are you one of these, my reader? Think for a moment of the young man who asked of the Lord what he must do to inherit eternal life. In every way his life seemed blameless. Even in his outward attitude to the Lord no fault could be found, for he both kneeled to Him and acknowledged Him “Master.” Further, we are told that Jesus, beholding him, loved him. Here, surely, was one who might sincerely hope to reach heaven. But no! in spite of all, he received that solemn warning, “One thing thou lackest.” One thing! One thing only debarred him from eternal life.
What does it mean, then? Are good lives to be despised? By no means. But the good life will never save you. The clergyman may tell you it is all right, your fellow-traveler may assure you that you are on the way to heaven. But, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children ye shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven.” The life down here will avail little, if, like the rich man, you finally lift up your eyes in hell, being in torments.
If our friend had gone to the guard of the train before starting, he would no doubt have learned his mistake before it was too late. So with you, my reader. Go to the right, the only sure Guide. The word of God is given for “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path,” and it will never lead you astray. It tells us with no uncertain voice that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” But it is a gift, and if you would receive it you must come and take it as such, leaving behind all the garments of self-righteousness and respectability which you so fondly draw around yourself, and own yourself a lost and guilty sinner in God’s sight. You may not be a sinner to any great extent in the world’s eyes. But let me tell you this if you had never committed one sin, or thought one foolish thought, the very fact that you do not accept God’s free gift is a sin greater than all these: because you are slighting His Son, setting at naught His glorious work of redemption and trampling on the precious blood which He shed.
The world is fast hastening like an express train—to destruction. Are you going with it, or are you bound for the Heavenly City? Face the question now, take sides with God against yourself, and accept the salvation His love holds out to you. Tomorrow may be too late. Oh, don’t delay!
L. P.