Past Redemption Point
Table of Contents
Past Redemption Point
The waters of the English Channel flowed broad and deep. Hitherto they had never been crossed in their entire breadth by a human swimmer. Fired with ambition to do what none had done before, and conscious of his great muscular powers, the celebrated swimmer Webb swam those twenty-five miles and set foot on the coast of France. Once more the overruling providence of God guarded him from the dangers of the deep, and spared him a little longer in. His long-suffering mercy.
Often in the water, and always unharmed, he seemed to think he bore a charmed life. And so, one day looking at the boiling current of Niagara, he determined to risk his life for fame—fame that never yet satisfied any yearning human heart. "It's all luck, in the end," he declared. "I don't think about that; I'm going to take my chance.”
For the last time, though he knew it not, he dressed in his familiar swim suit, and took that fatal leap out into the angry whirling torrent. Rising from his dive as usual, he floated for a moment and then began those powerful strokes. But the eddying waters had him as a straw in their giant grasp. He was hurled unseen and powerless into the vortex he had so madly braved—lost in sight of thousands standing in safety around him, safe themselves, but with no power to help him.
On the shore of that great river is a rock called "Past Redemption Point." It is only a little cape jutting into the water, unnoticed by travelers, but beyond it no human being has ever been known to be saved. On one side is life, hope, salvation; on the other death, despair, destruction; and only such a little way apart.
In the ever flowing stream of life we are daily drawing near the point from whence no traveler returns. Oh, dear unsaved reader, you do not know how soon you may drift past "redemption point"—that whisper in your heart today of a text learned at your mother's knees; that wonderful preservation in a moment of great danger; that day you went to a funeral and looked into the open grave; that illness when you felt so near God and eternity; that night at the gospel meeting when you halted between two opinions. Oh! who shall say when the voice of the Spirit shall plead with you for the last time. Can you tell which of these circumstances shall be the "Past Redemption Point" of your life? God says, "My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen. 6:3. "Quench not the Spirit." 1 Thess. 5:19.
Remember! There will come the last time when you will go forth to your daily duties, and you well not know it is the last.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.
“Come Just As You Are!”
Queen Victoria once sent a telegram to one of the workmen-a mason-employed upon her estate. She wanted his presence immediately and the words she inscribed upon the form were "Sandy, come at once, just as you are.”
When Sandy received the message he was at work, covered with dust, in his rough clothes. At first he thought, I must go home and tidy up and change my clothes in order to go to the Queen.
But as he read it again he saw that he was called to go at once, and just as he was, The Queen knew that he might be untidy and consider himself unfit for an interview with her. That was why she had used those words: "Come at once, just as you are.”
Friend, come at once, just as you are, to Christ. He knows your sinful condition better than you do. Yet in His grace He calls to you: "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 4:7.
All things are now ready. He has prepared a proper garment for you to wear, and your place is set at the fully furnished table of salvation. Do not delay, striving to make yourself better fitted for His presence. Delay is one of the devil's wiles to keep you from Christ. You will never find a better opportunity to come. Indeed you may never have another. Come now.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.