Clang, clang,” went the firehell, breaking the quietness of the night.
Mr. Fireman opened his eyes and with one jump, landed in his big hip boots. In less time than it takes to tell it, he was fastening the clasps of his jacket as he stood on the back of his engine.
Do you get dressed as fast as that?Not likely! I think, also, that your clothes would not stand the test of fire. They would soon be aflame on your back, if the flames licked around you as they sometimes do around those hardy men.
The fireman has to wear special clothes, on which fire just doesn’t catch. He would probably lose his life if he didn’t, but he is not so foolish.
Are you so foolish? “Our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:2929For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29). Are you ready to meet Him? Is there any sin upon you, which the fire of His holy judgment must consume?
Let me tell you about the only sinless One, who bore the judgment of God for sinners. God Himself came down in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus, and walked through this earth as man. The heavens opened, to declare God’s delight in this holy sinless One, and the Spirit of God rested upon Him.
But in due time, that blessed Saviour went to the cross where the sins of all who believe were placed upon Him, and then all the judgment, those sins deserved was poured out upon His holy head, so that He could say, “From above hath He sent fire into My bones, and it prevailed against them.” Lam. 1:1313From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. (Lamentations 1:13). In those three hours of darkness, He bore the sins of many, and then He cried with a loud voice, “It is finished.”
Now the Crucified One sits on the throne of God. He wants to be your Saviour, but if you reject Him, He will he your judge, the One before whom you must some day stand.
If your sins are yet upon you in that day, then that, fire must kindle upon you, even “the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:4343And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:43). But if your sins were consumed on Calvary, you shall be with Him in that day, as holy as the Judge Himself!
Reader, which is it for you? You may claim that Saviour as your own this very moment. You may accept His perfect sacrifice for your sin, and rejoice to hide yourself in Him. You also may refuse Him. Oh, dear reader, take Him as your Saviour right now.
ML 10/14/1951