READER, the above is a momentous question. At the end of that road on which you are traveling, you must meet God. Are you prepared for the interview? The apostle Paul realized the seriousness of this inevitable meeting when by the Spirit of God he said, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). The dread of what is beyond the grave makes man afraid of death. He feels that the sins of a lifetime must condemn him in the righteous eye of God, and he knows that “the wages of sin is death.”
Possibly you may have heard the story of the nobleman who was about to die. By his bedside stood a favorite jester, whose quips had many a time lightened his leisure moments, but were of no avail now in the presence of the king of terrors. Fixing his eyes upon the fool, the dying man said―
“Tom, my friend, I am about to leave you.”
“Going far, master?”
“Yes; a long way.”
“When are you coming back?”
“Never again.”
“Never coming back! And what provision have you made for this journey?”
“None.”
“Where are you going?” No answer.
The jester gazed in consternation for a few moments, and then sadly exclaimed―
“You are going on a long journey; you don’t know where; you are never coming back; and yet have made no preparations. Ah, master! who is the fool now? Better take my cap and bells, and you will not look so out of place on reaching your destination.”
Alas! how often do we find it so! Man is very careful to make all necessary arrangements where earthly affairs are concerned; but when the destiny of his immortal soul is touched upon, he is strangely indifferent.
And why should such be the case? Eternity! and where you will spend it, is surely a very important subject, and well worth considering. Then the present is the only opportunity you may have to settle the great question. No man can count upon a day. “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” Tomorrow may be too late.
Remember the rich fool in Luke 12. He left God out of his calculations, and his plans for the future were all wrong. This night thy soul may be required of thee. God has claims upon you, and His claims cannot be ignored. There is a reckoning day coming; how will you stand then? Oh, sinner! do not put this matter of your eternal welfare off, like Felix (Acts 24:2525And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:25)), till a more convenient season, which may never come.
The devil encourages indecision. Procrastination is one of his chief assistants. Satan cannot deny that you are lost; that you need to be saved; but he says, “There’s plenty of time.” Do not listen to him, my friend. “Get right with God” now. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” He, blessed be His name, meets all man’s deep need, by dying in his room and stead. Then what hinders you from closing with God’s offer? “The gift of God is eternal life” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). You know you are a sinner; you know that “the soul that sinneth it shall die”; that “without shedding of blood is no remission.” What then? God knew all this; knew it was impossible you could be saved by your own efforts. What could a sin-stained soul bring that could be acceptable to the living God?
Ah! but Jesus stepped upon the scene. He came in wondrous love to satisfy the claims of God. His spotless life ended in atoning death.
“Now there’s no death for me.”
“He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). And is God satisfied with the work of Jesus? Yes, the living proof of salvation is Jesus at the right hand of God. The Man who bore our sins has them no longer; He put them away on the Cross. And now listen to what God is prepared to do: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
Could you have a fuller proclamation of glad tidings, than the above, my reader? The work is all accomplished. God has been glorified in the death of His Son. Where do you come in? Just simply trust God’s Word. Take Jesus as your Saviour, and believe in Him to the wing of your soul. You will then be right for eternity. He has pledged Himself to bring every believer safely home. Hear His blessed words: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27, 2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)).
Oh, what love is His! “Love that transcends our highest thought.” May the sense of this love so influence you, my unsaved friend, that you will be constrained to embrace the salvation of God, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, time is short; eternity is long.
P. D.