THE moment man begins to live, he begins to die. He comes into the world, and the moment he enters it, he is under notice to quit it.
“He is of few days, and full of trouble; he cometh forth like a flower and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.” Job 14:1, 21Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. (Job 14:1‑2). “He dwells in a house of clay, on a foundation of dust that the moth can crush.” Job 4:1919How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? (Job 4:19). Poor frail mortal; He comes into the world in weakness and helplessness; yea, nothing is so weak and helpless as he. He quits it in shame and dishonor, unless God meet him in grace, while a wasted life comes after him to meet him at the judgment seat.
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). Notice has been given him. Quit this world he must; —stay here he cannot— sooner or later the term which was granted him will expire, then he leaves this body, this clay tabernacle, and passes away, but where? Ah, that is the solemn question. Where?
How solemn it is to think of a person under notice to quit, certain that he must leave, and yet making no provision for his leaving, till that grim officer (death) comes to turn him out: then it is too late to seek for the assurance of another house not made with hands, and he passes into eternity, into outer darkness and black despair, duped by Satan, occupied while here with the present, forgetful of the future.
The notices unheeded—the warnings despised—the appeals rejected—until he is turned out.
“We know,” said one of old, using the language all Christians are privileged to use, “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” 2 Cor. 5:1, 21For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: (2 Corinthians 5:1‑2).
Oh, how blessed this is. God has wrought us for this very thing. He it was who gave us notice to quit, He it is who has provided us another house, “a building of God,” and wrought us for glory above. And while here we groan in this tabernacle, which is but a temporary abode, till we put on our house from heaven, an abiding and eternal abode.
My reader, can you say, I know all this blessing for the joy of my own soul now? Have you really trusted Christ yet? His death is the basis of all this blessing. “He who knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Have you trusted Christ, and found a resting place for your soul, and received such assurance from Himself, that you can say, I know that if Christ were to come tonight I should leave this vile body, a house not made with hands, and pass into the heavens, to share glory with Christ above forever? This wondrous blessing, and this confident language to express it, are the privilege of all those who have found out they are lost, and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Do you say, Oh, I am comfortable and happy enough here, I have plenty of amusement and joy here, I don’t want to turn religious and melancholy just now, plenty of time for that when one gets old. Well remember; young persons die as well as old ones, and if you die in your sins, you will be damned. If you die without Christ, you will live forever without Christ in the lake of fire. God is righteous and must punish sin, if you refuse the way of escape, you must perish forever. It is Satan who whispers in your ear, “Plenty of time.” God says, “Now is the accepted time, and Now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end.” Deut. 32:2929O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! (Deuteronomy 32:29). Remember this, the price you must pay for your pleasures is great. It is your soul. You are selling it to Satan for the gratification of a little lust, a little pleasure and self-will here, but what will your portion be there? The unquenchable fire with all its pains, and the never dying worm with all its gnawings.
“Hell is darkness deep and awful;
Turn, poor sinner, turn and flee.”
Notice to Quit
Thank God, there is a way of escape. Poor worldling, there is a Saviour for you. Godless, Christless, thoughtless, prayerless though you be, Jesus died to save you. “He came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15).) No goodness have you to bring, yours has been a wasted life. No goodness does He require, and He offers you a new life, eternal life. It is God showing love to the sinner, not seeking love from the sinner. Oh, what a wonderful thing the Cross of Christ is! every question is answered there. God’s character has been vindicated, His righteousness maintained, and He has been glorified. An insulted and offended God has Himself undertaken the cause of the wretches who offended and insulted Him, and provided a perfect sacrifice. And the work accomplished must be in accordance with the value of the sacrifice. That sacrifice is none other than the Lamb of God. And His person gives all the value to His work. The blood has been shed, and He who alone can estimate the value of that blood has shown His acceptance of the sacrifice and raised His Son from the dead.
Trust Him, and Eternal Life is yours.
M. E.