ABOUT two years ago I was visiting a friend in Scotland, who brought out an old photo album to show me. He turned over its leaves, explaining the history which attached to the various portraits comprised in his collection. Among them was one, however, which attracted special attention.
It was a portrait of three men, apparently all about the same age. All three were engine drivers on the same line of railway in Scotland. Judging, too, by their outward appearance, all were respectable and intelligent men, as befitted those holding such a responsible position. But “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:77But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)), and while these men were very similar outwardly, their treatment of God’s glad tidings was different in each case.
How had they treated God’s offer? The first man heard the story of God’s love in giving His only begotten Son, but it awakened no response in his heart, except that of opposition. He was like a company of old, of whom it is said, “When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked” (Acts 17:3232And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. (Acts 17:32)). I trust no one who reads these lines is of that class. Perhaps not. You may be too refined and polite to be an open scoffer, but you may be a neglecter, and “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)), is the solemn question for you to answer.
What was the fate of the mocker? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)), though written centuries ago, is still as true as when it was written. This driver, who had mocked at the gospel, was not long afterward laid low with an illness which proved fatal, and which was of such a character that for some time before his end he was unable to speak, to say nothing of being unable to mock. And so he passed into eternity—to the best of my friend’s knowledge—unsaved and unforgiven.
What did the second man do? The good news concerning our Lord Jesus Christ was also presented to him. Did he receive it? No. He did not treat it with open scorn and derision, as did the first driver of whom I have spoken, but he did what probably a great many more people do. He was a steady and industrious man, and he said that he hoped, by his industry and application to work, that he would get on, and save a bit of money, and later on, when he had more time, he would think of these things. His convenient opportunity, like that of Felix, never came. One day, while following his employment, he was outside on his locomotive, attending to some part of the machinery, when his fireman, being unaware of the fact that his mate was not in a safe position, started the engine. The man, who put off deciding for Christ, fell off on to nit the line, and was soon in eternity, alas, unprepared!
But what of the third? Well, the third driver was none other than the friend, who showed me the photograph. He had, thank God, heard the gospel and believed it. He had decided that his motto was to be, “Christ for me.” He put his trust for time and eternity in the finished work of our blessed Lord and Saviour, and from that time it had been his joy to tell others of the Saviour he had found, and of the grace which had saved and kept him. He lives a life of service for the Lord, and is looking forward to going to be with the One, who has saved him.
Now I would ask, in conclusion, to which class do you belong? Are you a mocker, a procrastinator, or a believer? Do not think it is a matter of no importance as to how you treat God’s offer of salvation. Your eternal destiny depends upon how you treat the Saviour, who is offered to you now. Do not be like either the first man or the second. Be like the third. Trust Christ as your Saviour, and you, too, shall live to prove the sweetness and the blessedness of that salvation, which is the portion of the one who simply takes God at His word.
So shall you find through all your pathway below, as did the third man’ of my story, a Friend who never fails, who will love you to the end, and your future will be one of everlasting glory, joy and blessedness with Himself. Go in for it, and you will never regret your choice. W. M’D.