Some years ago a captain in the cavalry was thrown from his horse and seriously injured. For many days he lay on his bed suffering and moaning about his condition. His wife, hearing him wish himself dead, reproved him, saying, "Be careful what you say. You could find yourself in a worse condition than you are in now."
What could be worse, he thought, than this agony? Ah! "The wicked shall be turned into hell." Hell would be worse than suffering here; hell is for the wicked, for all who do not know God. Do I know God?
Thoughts of his sins, of death and judgment and hell raced through the officer's mind. When in good health, it had been quite easy to say, "I do not believe in hell," but it seemed very different when death might be so near.
What did Jesus say to the Jews who argued with Him instead of believing on Him? "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." John 8:2424I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24). To die in your sins means never to be separated from them, to have them with you forever and ever. Then no escape from them will be possible for the day of God's wrath will come and mercy will be over forever. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still" (Revelation 22:1111He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)), is what will be said in that day, for eternity permits no change of place or state.
Captain King knew about these things, and his wife's warning with the Word of God was used to bring home to him his danger. There on a sickbed he turned to the Lord Jesus and was freed from his sins. Later, restored to health again, he devoted his life to seeking to rescue others from "the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Timothy 2:2626And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26).
Are you free? If you trust in Jesus, you too may now receive remission of your sins and become free indeed, for "the truth shall make you free." John 8:3232And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32).
All Because...
He was a sailor. "All right, boys," he said, "go on, say all you want to, make all the fun of me you please, but I have tried it now for over six months. Saloon-keepers do not get my money now; and I have got a clear head, a clear eye, and a happy heart; all because I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior."