Friends, do you know the deep importance of one word, the word "OPPORTUNITY"? Look at Galatians 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10): "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
This scripture is addressed to Christians, to those who are left in this world to represent Him of whom it is written, "He went about doing good, for God was with Him."
Remember, dear friends, that there is no time for doing this like the present. We shall not always have the chance of comforting the distressed or succoring the needy. Let us do it then, with heart and energy, and do it at once if we would do it at all and all, that God may be glorified.
But tonight I wish to speak also to another class, and to draw their special attention to this same word, "opportunity." I refer to you who are, sad to say, still unconverted. With all earnestness let me remind you that there is a time coming when the only thing you can do with that word will be to bitterly mourn its loss. Oh, how soon will every gracious opportunity be behind your back forever! You cannot count upon the past; the future is absolutely veiled from you; the present only is yours.
Dear ones, the children of saved parents, look backward for a moment. You will see that there have been certain very distinct features in your own past. For example, some of you are yet living in your school day history; perhaps, you have already had a business history, and interwoven with all the rest, you have had a gospel-hearing history.
For you who have for years been under the sound of gospel preaching, when the word of salvation came to you for the first time, why did you not at once accept it? In that lies the first wonder. Perhaps you yourself may thus regard it if you consider that when God gave you that opportunity He never promised you another.
Friend, mark this well: there is no such thing in Scripture as the promise of a gospel opportunity to any man. Of promises there are many promises to Israel, promises to the Church, promises to individuals, promises "exceeding great and precious"; but as to promised opportunities, there are none. No promise is needed for today's opportunity; for tomorrow's, no promise is given. In a deceived heart the devil may succeed in depositing a few counterfeits, but in the pages of God's holy Word not one is to be found. Wise it would be, therefore, to take this to heart at once.
Remember the parable of "a certain man" who "made a great supper." Luke 14:1616Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: (Luke 14:16). Remember that when the guests refused to come, he bade his servant to go "into the highways and hedges and invite others," that his house might be filled, adding, "None of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper."
Oh, the solemn import of those words! God gives no guarantee of another chance to anyone. Whenever you hear the gospel, therefore, as far as any assurance on God's part is concerned, it is your last invitation! Therefore, as far as you knew, your first opportunity was your last. And the miracle is that, when you heard of this wondrous love of God in giving His Son for you, when you heard of the death of Jesus for sinners at Calvary you did not instantly seize the proclamation of a blood-sealed pardon; you did not fall immediately and with a broken and a contrite heart praise Him for it.
A poor ignorant criminal, who had never before heard of God's love to sinners, was condemned to die. According to his country's laws he had no hope of receiving mercy for his crimes. However, one who had himself received forgiveness for all his sins told God's message of His love to the condemned man. At this, his first hearing of the marvelous gospel, the wondrous good news, the helpless, hopeless sinner said afterward: "When I heard there was pardon for me from God, I just grabbed at it!"
Oh, my friends, what you have so long and so coldly slighted, this poor man eagerly and instantly grasped.
The second great wonder is this: that, after all the neglected opportunities of the past, God should be giving you another! Oh, that your eyes were opened to see all that hangs upon an opportunity that comes late if not last, and that, on your face before God tonight, this vital soul-matter may be definitely settled! What is the worth of the whole world in comparison with your precious soul? When you stand before His judgment throne, ready to be bound hand and foot and cast into hell fire, you will have found out your folly too late. But the God who will judge men then gives you advice now. Take it; for depend upon it, as surely as it is God's advice, it is good advice.
What gracious pleading is here! But mark the warning that follows: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
A young man went to a gospel meeting where a dear old Christian was preaching. This young man had that night reached the point which you will one day reach his last chance. Did he know it? We may take it for granted that he did not. Yet from that hour he must bid adieu to gospel opportunities. If you had known that young man, if you had been in this secret concerning him, would you not, after that gospel message, have been anxious to learn how he made use of such an august moment?
The young man's father was a Christian, and expected his son to go with the rest of the family to hear the gospel though he had no heart for such things. Unsaved friend, perhaps you may be in a similar state of mind even now. Had not some anxious friend warmly urged you, would you have been here tonight?
Well, this young man had been brought to listen to God's farewell offer of mercy. How did he treat it? He picked up a Bible, and between its open pages he placed a novel. He appeared to be reading the Bible. But God could see through that—even his companion could.
The preacher had said during his address: "Perhaps there is some one here that will never hear my voice again, who will never have another offer of salvation."
Did this draw the young man's attention? No! On he went with his novel, and even the prayer that followed did not deter him. He read on to THE END. He "refused and rebelled."
Now hear the solemn sequel. That week he went to the beach. He was a vigorous swimmer, an intrepid diver, and from the usual spring-board he took a "header." A few hours before, he had had his last gospel opportunity. Now he was having his last plunge, for this plunge was a plunge into eternity.
Now what would that young man give to occupy your place here tonight— to sit here and share with you one more gracious opportunity? But he had had his last, and, for all we know, when he had it, he fatally trifled with it. How will you treat your present opportunity?
As far as you have any authority from God, you are now having your last opportunity to accept Christ. Once more I ask, How will you treat it? "Seek ye the LORD While He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:66Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6).
God delights in mercy, but sin's judgment is no less a necessity. Jesus the Savior has died; He, the blessed Savior, is risen; the Holy Ghost has come from heaven come with the gospel of free pardon from the very throne of God. "God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." The day of judgment is fixed. It is future, but it is near at hand. The day of salvation is present, but it is fast wearing away. Only one opportunity can be counted on, and it is the present one. "Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." Geo. C.