IT was late on Saturday night; the tired shopkeeper was preparing to close, and was looking forward with delight to the advent of the Lord’s Day, when he should be free from the claims of the world, and, in fellowship with his fellow Christians, should have the privilege of remembering his precious Lord, and showing forth his death in view of His coming. Two young men, both more or less under the influence of strong drink, just then entered the shop and made a purchase.
While being served, one of them read on a card which hung in the shop, the golden words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). The shopkeeper had put it up, as a testimony to the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the varied remarks of those who read it, would form interesting reading. Those who loved the Lord were only too glad to confess Him; some who were religious, but not saved, considered it somewhat out of place; while others hesitated not to openly deride it. To the latter class belonged one of the young men of whom we now write.
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“Just what it says,” replied the shopkeeper.
“I do not believe in such nonsense,” said he. “If I am to be saved, I shall be saved, and if not I cannot help it.”
“Not so,” answered the shopkeeper. “God has effected everything for you, He presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Object of faith for the needy sinner, and all depends upon your acceptance or rejection of Him.”
The shopkeeper concluded by appealing to the young man to consider his ways, and the inevitable end of the road he was traveling. This only called forth a torrent of blasphemy which it was painful to hear, and with which he and his mate left.
About a fortnight later, his companion returned.
“Do you remember,” he asked, “my friend and myself coming in the other Saturday night?”
“I do,” was the reply.
“Have you heard about him?”
“No.”
“I left him,” he said, “in the small hours of Sunday morning; he did not turn up when work commenced on Monday, and shortly after starting a message came that he was dead. He died suddenly soon after I left him that Sunday morning.”
Here the curtain drops, so far as that young man is concerned; he is gone, and gone forever, but, thank God, you, dear reader, are still here. Say! are you saved? You may be the most precise, upright, religious person under the sun, or you may be―what dear George Whitfield called― “one of the devil’s castaways,” a victim of drink, a slave to vice, a servant of sin, a bondsman of Satan, no matter who you are or what you be, young, middle-aged, or old, rich or poor, high born or otherwise, in the sight of God you are lost. God says so; and you have everything to gain by accepting His verdict.
Perishing soul, listen! “For 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 3:1616For 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)). Lost sinner, give ear! “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)). Sin-burdened friend, hearken! “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Doubting heart, be of good cheer! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). Why, oh, why, refuse such love, reject such a Saviour, “neglect so great salvation”? This true incident is but one of many instances of the solemn consequences of resisting the Holy Spirit. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Prov. 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1)). “Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you” (Acts 13:40, 4140Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. (Acts 13:40‑41)). Reader, trifle not with the grace of God, risk not your immortal soul, but come to Jesus just now.
W. B. D.