“I AM NOT AFRAID TO DIE,” exclaimed a young soldier as he lay mortally wounded on the field of battle. He had seen some of the unspeakable horrors of this present War, and had thereby been brought face to face with the truth of that solemn scripture, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment; so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb. 9:27, 2827And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27‑28)). Putting his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, he could look at death without fear.
Death is a very solemn matter, and it is being brought home to many hearts at the present time in all its seriousness as never before. No person can deny that man is a dying creature. How blessed to be prepared, and to be able to say, “I am not afraid to die.” Only a Christian can truly say this.
For the sinner, judgment follows death, and this is a fact that people do not like to think about today. They live as if there were nothing beyond this life. But what about your sins, my reader? In the unchangeable Word of God we find it plainly stated that you are subject to the judgment of God because of your sins. Read Romans 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19). Have you yet discovered this fact?
But God, in His great grace, has provided a remedy. There is a way by which you may know the blessedness of having your sins forgiven. The glorious message is sent out into all the world, and all are invited to accept the salvation which God offers.
The Lord Jesus Christ has borne all the judgment. In His own Person upon. Calvary’s cross He has forever put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (see Heb. 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)). “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)). Can you say He bore your sins? You may be among the “many,” if you will only receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour. If so, you can face death without fear, knowing that you are free from every atom of judgment. God will never raise any question in regard to your sins if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, because Christ has answered for all, and God has been glorified in the putting away of sin.
The matter of your soul’s salvation is of the deepest moment, and we would sound a note of warning in the ears of every unsaved sinner. The future is unveiled, and we know the portion of every person will be either the eternal bliss of heaven or the sorrows of the lake of fire.
Are you prepared to die? If not, seek God’s salvation now, before it is too late. The large, loving heart of God flows out to every sinner. He is ready to save and to pardon the guiltiest in virtue of the work accomplished by His Son on Calvary’s cross.
C. S. Ross