HOW many thousands have had bitter cause to regret the putting off until tomorrow, that which might and should be done today. A Greek nobleman, many centuries ago, was interrupted in the midst of a gorgeous festival, by the unwelcome intrusion of a messenger who had been sent to him by a friend with important tidings. He had been told to say that the message he brought should be read by the nobleman immediately, as it contained information seriously affecting him, and of such pressing importance as to admit of no delay.
The nobleman, absorbed in his pleasures, and annoyed by the interruption, refused to listen to the messenger. “Serious things tomorrow!” he exclaimed, as he contemptuously cast aside the letter, and taking the goblet from the hand of his slave, pursued his amusements.
The delay was fatal. His pleasures had not reached their height, when a body of conspirators rushed in and slew him! The letter had been sent to warn him of a plot against his life, and had he but opened and read it, he would have escaped a sudden and painful death. His folly but faintly resembles that of all, who, knowing that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” put off from day to day, from now till then, and time to eternity— as, alas! in result it often proves—the solemn, the earnest consideration of the great and all-important question, “What thinkest thou of Christ?”
Reader, are you guilty of this folly? The nobleman lost his life, but you will lose your undying soul, unless you can be persuaded to open the letter— God’s word, the Bible — and there read and meditate upon the doom denounced against all who believe not in the Lord Jesus Christ unto everlasting life.
“And what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” “Tomorrow” may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” but “he that believeth not shall be damned.”
ML 03/08/1903