By:
Edited By W. T. P. Wolston.
A YOUNG man accosted a clergyman with the following question: “How long before I die need I become a Christian?” “Five minutes,” was the reply. Very satisfied, he was going away with the thought that he would have his fling with the world, and turn to God for salvation on his death-bed.
“Half a minute,” said the clergyman, calling him back, “when are you going to die?” Ah! he had not considered that question. Like the man we read of in the 12TH chapter of Luke’s Gospel, he had left God out of his calculations.
Now, dear reader, let me ask, is that what you are doing? Is it your intention to go in for all the paltry pleasures of this life, and then turn to God at the “eleventh hour”? Not that He would not save you even then. No, blessed be His name, He would; but listen to what He has to say to the man in the 12TH of Luke― “Fool, THIS NIGHT thy soul shall be required of thee” (vs. 20).
“Oh, but I am young. There is plenty of time for me. It is all very well for people with gray hairs to talk about these things. I am going to enjoy life.” Are these your thoughts, dear youthful reader? Oh, be careful how you treat God’s gracious offer of pardon! That little “Plenty of time” is the devil’s express to hell. Mind you do not find yourself among his passengers! You talk about enjoyment, but how can one who is under the judgment of God be happy? And that is where you are, dear reader, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour (see John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)). There are no real pleasures, and there can be no real happiness apart from God. But the Psalmist says, “In thy presence is Fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for EVERMORE” (Psa. 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)).
Let me tell another story for those who say “Plenty of time.” When I was at school there was a boy in my form named George A—. He was not quite sixteen years of age, but he was not too young for death to snatch away. He was with us at school on Friday morning, and was, to all appearances, in the best of health, but at six o’clock on the following Monday morning he was summoned to appear before his Creator, with barely forty-eight hours notice. Such is the uncertainty of life, dear reader, No, dear friend, whoever you may be, old or young, rich or poor, you have no lease of life down here; your life is “Even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanishes away” (see James 4:1414Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)). Death is very busy everywhere, and is no respecter of persons; it takes the old, it takes the young, the king on his throne, and the beggar in the gutter. And “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)).
Now, dear reader, let me urge you to face these questions as before God. You have an eternity to spend, but where will you spend it? You have a God to meet, but how will you meet Him? There can be only one of two answers to each of these questions. You must either spend your eternity with God, or else you must spend it with the devil. There is no other alternative. You must either accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour in this God’s day of grace, or you must meet Him as your Judge at the Great White Throne (see Rev. 20). Let me urge you to consider these questions NOW, dear reader, for the time is short!
God offers you a full and a free salvation through faith in His Son, and you are alone responsible if you reject the proffered blessing.
“ ‘Too late’ you’ll feel your lost estate,
Which now you don’t believe;
‘Too late’ you’ll see the grace of God,
Which now you won’t receive.
“Oh, sinner, pause, ere yet ‘ too late,’
Now is the day of grace;
Now Jesus calls, oh, do obey
His pleading, loving voice!”
F. J. W.