WHILE passing along the streets of Aberdeen some time ago, our attention was attracted by a large poster announcing a May Day Socialist Demonstration. At the foot was an appeal, of which the following is the substance: ―
“Fellow Workmen! Combine!
You have nothing to lose but your chains;
You have a world to gain.”
As we perused these lines, we instinctively finished the sentence by mentally adding, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)). Were it possible for these people to get rid of their imaginary chains and to gain the world with all its untold wealth, at length they must leave it, and, what then?
What we wish to say to you, dear reader, is this: If you come to Jesus today, you have nothing to lose but your sins; you have everything to gain. Would your loss cause you any regret? Your sins! They are without number, they burden your conscience, they cause an aching void in your heart, they produce a distance between you and God, and they will ultimately sink your soul in the lake of fire forever and ever, unless you get rid of them. They really are your chains. We speak not of the degree of your guilt. You may be the finest specimen of humanity outside the door of heaven, or you may be the vilest creature outside the gates of hell. You are a sinner, God’s Word declares it (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). You are unfit for His presence, and as you are, you can never enter His glory. Your sins form the one obstacle to your true happiness now, and your security for eternity. Thrice happy day for you, if today you lose your sins; therefore we repeat, Come to Jesus.
Do you long to be delivered and set free? Then listen! “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)). Hearken yet again! “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Once more, give ear! “who his own self hare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)). Weary, burdened, sin-laden soul, come to Jesus! You have everything to gain.
Do you inquire what is the gain? It is all summed up in that one charming name—Jesus. When your sins made it imperative either that He must die or you must perish, God sent Him to die. Read John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) again, and again, and again, and again. That blessed One, having borne our sins on the cross, finished the work of redemption, glorified God, procured salvation for all who trust Him, and then went back to glory. Today He fills that scene. He fills God’s heart, and He is going to fill the universe.
Come to Jesus NOW, and He will fill that tiny heart of yours. What a mighty difference He will make therein! Your sins gone, the judgment of God removed, heaven your sure portion for eternity, and for the present, Jesus filling and satisfying your heart. Satan may tempt, his votaries seek to beguile, and the world may allure, but in the joy of His presence and His love you will say ―
“I have heard the voice of Jesus,
Tell me not of ought beside.
I have seen the face of Jesus,
And my heart is satisfied.”
Once more we earnestly and affectionately appeal to you. Come to Jesus, and come just now!
W. B. D.