Three Sensible Texts

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 9
“WE don't know what to call him, ma'am,” said a poor woman to a lady visiting her, as they together admired the fortnight-old baby lying in his bed. "My husband's name is Tom, hut my eldest boy is called after him." Her friend suggested other members of the family, and then the conversation turned on the awkwardness of several people bearing the same name, especially when living close together.
“This makes me so glad, Mrs.—, that when God speaks to us in His word He does not put your name or mine. If He did, we might think He meant some one else who bore the same name, but when God speaks to you and me He calls us by a name we must own to—' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). That is your name and it is mine, and it is a good thing if we put in our claim, and say as a little boy of four said, That means me.'
“But there is another word that we cannot get over, and that is the word ' Whosoever.' Let me read you three verses which all have that word in them, and I will begin backwards, and read its last occurrence in the Bible first." Opening the book on the last page, she read," Whosoever let him take the water of life freely "(Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17))." You know if you were very thirsty, and there is the water-tap downstairs, you would go and get a glass of water and drink: it is free for you to do so. And God says, Whosoever will '—whosoever wants to—' let him take the water of life freely.' But there is another whosoever not far off. Ah, here it is—Rev. 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)— Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.' Mrs.—, your name and mine are in one of those two verses. If we have taken the water of life (and thank God, I took it over thirty years ago!) our names are in the book of life'; but whosoever every one else whose name is not there, shall be cast into the lake of fire. It must be the water of life or the lake of fire for everyone. 'Whosoever,' I, you, and everyone else, are included in those verses.
“But here is another text, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life ' (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Here is the secret of God's invitation. He so loved, that He gave-gave His Son to be the Saviour, to bear His judgment against sin, so that ' whosoever '—your name and mine again—’ believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The poor woman had listened seriously and solemnly, hut all she said was, "They are three sensible verses, ma'am." Probably she used the word incorrectly, and without understanding its, exact meaning, but her visitor only replied, "They are sensible verses indeed. If this house were on fire, and the fire escape were outside, and some one absolutely refused to avail himself of it, what remains but to be burnt to death? And when God has provided such a Saviour and such a salvation at such a cost to Himself, if sinners will not accept it, what alone can remain for them? How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?' “Reader, in which of these three verses is your name found?
T.