"TALK of questions of the day! There is only one question, and that is the Gospel."
So wrote W. E. Gladstone, and the statement is a remarkable one to come from the pen of one who was so thoroughly acquainted with all the "questions" of his day.
But is it true?
Ask yonder man, from whose bedside the doctor has just turned away with a grave face. He has but a few days to live. What question commands his interest to the exclusion of every other? If he is wise, he will reply, "The Gospel.”
No question of business, wealth, prospects, friends, amusements can vie in his estimation with that of the Gospel.
But you, my reader, are a dying creature, as well as he. Can you deny it? Do you know of any power on earth that can keep your door bolted when death knock? Hear what one of the leading infidel writers of the day had to say upon this subject.
“Of our loving and our studying, of our fortunes and our fame, what comes but vexation and disenchantment and a narrow bed, with a pillow of gravel and a counterpane of moss?
Poor Robert Blatchford! His words are true. Would that it could be said that to him also the question of questions was the Gospel!
What is the "Gospel," this question that eclipses every other?
It is good news, glad tidings. The very word "gospel" means that. But THE Gospel, or THE Glad Tidings, is the message that has come into this world from God Himself, addressed to all mankind.
It speaks of a Savior from sin, from the power of Satan, from the fear of death, from the judgment of God.
Do you realize that the pursuer, Death, is already upon your track? Have you discovered that your sins have exposed you to God's righteous wrath? Then, surely, to you there can be no question of such interest as this: How may I be saved?
For an answer, we point you to JESUS. Though the eternal Son of God, He became Man, and sits as such upon the throne. In Him alone salvation is to be found.
Long years ago He came into the world, declaring God's love for man. But His words were refused and Himself crucified.
His death, however, was no mere martyr's death. He suffered and died to make atonement for our sins. In virtue of the work which He thus accomplished the sinner who believes in Him is saved.
No works, no prayers, no promises, no strivings are necessary to complete the sacrifice. The work is finished. And the Gospel which is preached to you is the glad tidings of present forgiveness and salvation. On that account "Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 10:43; 13:31.)
The great question, then, for you is, How do you treat the Gospel? You may treat it in one of three ways. You may either
Reject it;
Neglect it; or
Accept it.
You, reader, are probably not an atheist. You do not absolutely reject the glad tidings. But are you spending your days in indifference to God's message? Do you go on your way unconcerned as to the appeal which it makes to your soul? "How shall we escape, if we NEGLECT so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3.)
The wise course is to ACCEPT the Gospel, as God's gracious message to you. Flee to the Savior of whom it speaks, and, assuredly, the forgiveness which it proclaims shall be yours.
“If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are LOST: in whom the God of this world bath blinded the minds of them which BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. 4:3, 4.)
Compare this passage of Scripture with the one already quoted from Acts 16, and see how these things are joined together:
"Believe" and "saved" go together.
"Believe not" and "lost" go together.
Reader, how do you stand as to this matter? H. P. B.