The First Lesson

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 5
 
Mr. Jones was anxious about his soul's salvation. Eternity was before him, to be spent in ineffable bliss or in conscious torment—and he knew it. But he was not prepared to admit the full extent of his danger. He knew the creeds by heart, repeated them without difficulty, and professed to believe them unreservedly. He was a regular attendant at "the means of grace," and tried to live uprightly. What more, he argued, could be expected of him? Yet he was unsure of his salvation.
A passage of Scripture which had been read to him presented a further difficulty and increased his anxiety. It was 1 John 5:1212He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12): "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
"Mr. Jones," we said to him, "do you see the dividing line in this verse? You are on one side or the other side of that line. On which side of it do you yourself stand?”
He thought long and carefully, and at last replied: "No, I cannot say. Frankly, I am not sure that I have eternal life; but I would dislike to believe that I have not.”
"Then," I replied, "your religion, though you seem to have been most careful in its observance, has not done a thing for you yet. Forgiveness of sins, though mentioned in your creed, you do not know. Salvation through faith in Christ, which stands at the very threshold of Christianity, you have no assurance of.”
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).
Friend, you also are traveling to eternity. Upon what are you depending for salvation? Is it on "religion"? It can never give security. But He, whose "strong directing hand" has ushered millions of those who trusted Him into eternal peace and joy, can do so. Hear His invitation to you!
"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).
Will you come? Will you receive Him? He came from the highest glory to the cross of shame for you, that you might be saved from eternal loss. He endured the curse which was your due, that you might be blessed. He experienced the agony of separation from a holy, righteous God, which wrung from Him the bitter cry: "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" It was that you might be accepted in God's dear Son.
"Christ died for our sins," in order that life—eternal life—might be yours.
"He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:1212He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12).