FROM the cradle to the grave—what is it? Such was the question asked some years ago, by one of earth’s popular men, to whom the call of death has recently come.
A natural inquiry surely, and of great moment. He put it to himself, and further, he undertook to answer it. “It is like three days at the seaside,” said he, “just that and nothing more.” What! Nothing more! Could not his wealth, position, influence, or power help him to arrive at a better conclusion? Apparently not. “Nothing more” was the sum and substance of the whole matter, and his lips had spoken all that he could conceive was necessary to utter on this vital subject.
Unsaved reader, let me ask you, what would be your answer to this question, were it put to you? Would it agree with the one whose “three days” are now past? Listen for a moment, I beseech you, before that grasp is felt, which neither pauper, prince, nor the most resolute of mortals can resist. Sink all your own thoughts, open your ears wide, for God speaks, and speaks to you.
“Nothing more!” Alas, what an awful mistake he made. There is an “afterward,” and on the authority of God’s infallible Word too, that Word of which He has decreed: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:3535Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)).
Yet we cannot wonder that the words “Nothing more” should have been uttered, for with the so-called wisdom of the thinker, he declared that he knew there was no hell, and arguing the matter out in his cold practical way, he declared that it was an even chance, a fifty per cent chance, that there might be a God!
What an awful awakening it will be, if these reasonings of the human mind were clung to till the end! Why, even the devils believe that there is one God, and tremble (James 2:1919Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)). Yes, reader, one God, and only one God, and this one God is love. He has proved His love by giving His well-beloved Son, the Just One, to die for us, the unjust ones.
We are sinners in the sight of God; an evil word, an impure thought, one unjust action—yes, only one—is quite sufficient to merit our banishment from the presence of God forever. For God is holy, He cannot look upon sin. Sin, if brought into His presence, can only meet with its due reward. But blessed be the precious name of Jesus, He has satisfied God about the question of sin and sins, for He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree.
Yes, God is perfectly and fully satisfied with what has been done. His holiness demanded a victim, His love provided one, and now glorified on the earth by this blessed One, He has raised Him from among the dead and set Him at His own right hand, “a glorified Saviour.”
Reader, are you satisfied with Him too, so satisfied that you can even now, whilst you read these words, thank Him for what He has done, and rest in that finished work. He speaks such words of assurance to you—
Come then, with all confidence, for all things are now ready. The wedding garment is provided, the fatted calf killed, the feast spread, other guests are entering in, the house is filling fast, yet there is room, yes, still room.
Reader, are you ready? Solemn question, Are you ready? Make haste, the door is closing, and soon will be shut; and then will sound forth the fearful words, to those who were invited, but refused to come, and who, when too late, knock for admittance, “I know you not.”
“Come, hear the gospel sound,
Yet there is room,
It tells to all around,
Yet there is room.
Though guilty, now draw near;
Though vile, you need not fear;
With joy you now may hear,
Yet there is room.
God’s house is filling fast,
Yet there is room;
Some guest will be the last,
Yet there is room.
Yes, soon salvation’s day
To you will pass away,
Then grace no more will say,
Yet there is room.”