“I AM beginning to feel that it is only the man, who has got Christ, who can rightly face anything.”
So wrote a young soldier a short time ago. What a wonderful discovery he made!
But a short time before he had relinquished his comfortable situation, and had joined an Irish regent. Leaving his friends and home comforts behind, he entered a training camp, all his surroundings and mode of living being quite different from what he had been previously accustomed to.
Perhaps this paper may fall into the hands of one in similar circumstances. You are severed from your friends, and you sometimes feel as if you lacked courage to stand firm. Let me tell you that the Lord Jesus Christ is a Friend indeed to all those who trust Him. In your new life, no doubt, you will encounter many difficulties―many dangers will beset your path. But however great the difficulties or the dangers, you will find the Lord Jesus Christ sufficient for all things. He gives grace and strength to all who trust Him.
The present war has made men think, and we are assured that many of the brave soldiers along the battle-front, in training camps, and in hospitals, have turned to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Our soldier friend read his pocket Testament, and, as he pondered over the wonderful words of John 5:24,24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24) the Holy Spirit opened up to him the blessed, simple way of salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the speaker in that verse, and He says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.” These words were sufficient. Our friend, then and there in the train, by simple faith, made his decision for Christ.
The gospel is so simple on our part that it is to be feared many stumble at its very simplicity. No language of ours can do justice to the freeness with which blessings flow to the believing sinner through Christ. The death of Christ is the basis of salvation. In virtue of His precious blood, heaven’s gate has been flung open wide, and God, who is no respecter of persons, invites all to come.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). For assurance He adds, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). And, as if to remove every doubt from the hearts of those who do come, He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27,2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)).
Trust the Saviour just now
C. S. R.