SUCH was the advice of Abner, in 2 Sam. 3:18,18Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. (2 Samuel 3:18) to the people of Israel. “They had sought in times past for David to be king over them.” (verse 17.) But hitherto their desire for David as king had not given place to decision for him, and they were still without him, and apart from him.
Alas! how many souls are in this wretched state―anxious to have Christ, but still undecided for Him; feeling their need, but never trusting Christ, who alone can satisfy it; attracted by Christ on the one hand, allured by Satan and the world on the other; the glare and glitter of this poor world held up by Satan before their eyes to occupy them and blind them, and keep them in that halting state between Christ and the world, while each moment speeds them on to that place where all the glare, and glitter, and pomp, and pride, and show of this poor world will be seen in its emptiness and worthlessness, and leave the poor, empty, deceived Soul in all its helpless, hopeless, and unending misery―food for the worm that never dies, and fuel for the fire that is never quenched!
Should this paper fall into the hands of any who are still undecided for Christ, who have passed through seasons of blessing, and while their friends and neighbors and companions have at on the same seats with then; and heard the same addresses, and been moved and melted, and have decided for Christ, themselves are still unsaved, undecided,―they intended to accept Christ, but delay has proved to be their master,― allow me to say to such, “NOW THEN DO IT.” Do not put it off any longer. Have Christ for yourself; decide for Him at once. It is dangerous work thus to delay and trifle with your soul. “Choose you this day.” Nothing like being decided. The Jews were decided, and chose Barabbas. Do you be decided, and choose Jesus. “Believe in Jesus; serve Jesus; be out and out for Jesus. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).) “Now then do it.”
God had said that “by His servant David He would save Israel from the hand of all their enemies.” (v. 18.) So there was the more reason why David should be their king; and thus we see the force of Abner’s exhortation, “Now then do it.” And Abner spoke to the king about the people, and to the people about the king. So we, as taking Abner’s place, and seeking to win you to decide for Christ, have spoken to the Lord about you, and now would say a word to you about the Lord.
It was pure love that brought Jesus down to this scene to save sinners. We had nothing we could call our own but our sins. The life we had was forfeited. But God loved the world, and sent His Son. (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).) Jesus said, “Lo, I come to do, thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:99Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9).) “He came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 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).) Not saints, but sinners. “He died the just for the unjust, to bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).) He glorified God about the question of sin so perfectly that God has set Him on the throne, at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Now God is declaring to sinners that Jesus is the only Saviour. “There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).) And “through this Man” (the risen Christ) “is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED from ALL things.” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).) So we see it is not the sinner’s works God desires, but his faith, ―He asks him to believe; then why not do it?
Abner was an ambassador for David, and “went away to gather the people to David, so that he might reign over them as his heart desired.” (verse 21.) “And David made a feast for Abner and those with him” (verse 20), “and sent them away in peace.” (verse 21.) And the true David―the Lord Jesus Christ―has got His ambassadors too, whom He delights to feast (as also all they bring to Him), and gives them peace ere He sends them forth. (John 20:2121Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21).) “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” They go in peace and with peace.
“NOW TREN we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech by us: we pray in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” He, ye undecided ones, come to the feast! the fatted calf is killed; there is room for you in the house, and plenty to satisfy you and to spare. “Peace has been made by Jesus through the blood of His cross.” (Colossians 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20).) Come and receive it. A full Christ is offered to you in the gospel; come and accept Him. We have got peace ourselves have enjoyed the feast ourselves. Now we cry aloud to you, Come, oh ye timid, doubting, fearing, lingering, loitering souls, “come; for all things are now ready.” Time is speeding on; come at once. “Now then do it.” Trust Him at once. It must be settled today, ere you lay down this paper. No need to wait. You may be sure that you have everlasting life. Hear the Lord’s own words― “He that believeth on me HATH everlasting life.” (John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)) Look at that word; spell it out, and be sure about it—H-A-T-H— “HATH everlasting life.” Now ask yourself the question, Do I need to hope I have got it? No! Do I need to feel I have got it? No! What then? Why, God says, hath it. Then God says I have it; for I am a believer; and the only thing I can do now is to thank Him, and seek to live to the glory of Him who gave it.
Very well, “NOW THEN DO IT.”
W. E.