Whosoever.

From: Gospel Light: Volume 6 (1916)

• 3 min. read • grade level: 7

A YOUNG man was greatly troubled about his soul. He knew that he was a sinner in God's sight; and so deeply did he feet this that he was often ready to lie down in despair, saying, “is it possible that God can save such a miserable sinner?”

In the day-time he thought of hell as his justly deserved punishment, and at night he would sometimes imagine himself shut up in the pit of outer darkness. He tried to reform and live proudly on his good works; but, alas! he got nothing better, but rather grew worse.

One evening, however, he was passing a large building where a servant of the Lord was preaching. He went in.

Soon after he entered he heard the preacher call attention to the words of our blessed Lord, “that whosoever believeth in Him shall 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)). JOH 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)

“Mark," said he,” this word ' WHOSOEVER.'”

For the first time this troubled hearer began to perceive the freeness of God's grace in the gospel, and to think there was after all some hope even for such a sinner as he was; because, "WHOSOEVER" included him, and everyone else who trusted Christ as his Saviour.

I need not say that, by the power of the Spirit of God, the young man's heart was thus led to look wholly to Jesus for salvation, and thus he found joy and peace in believing, and has delighted in the service of the gospel for many years.

Dear reader, Have you thus simply believed in Christ? Are you trusting in Him who died on the cross to save sinners? Is His precious blood the sole ground of your peace with God?

With many others this saved young man could say:-

“When free grace awoke me by light from on high,

Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die.

‘No refuge, no safety, in self could I see:

‘Jehovah Tsidkenu ' my Saviour must be.

My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;

My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came

To drink at the fountain, life-giving, and free,

'Jehovah Tsidkenu ' is all things to me.”

But there is another "WHOSOEVER," equally general in its scope, and particular in its application. Yet, oh, how wide the contrast! "WHOSOEVER was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)). REV 20:15¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) Mark, it is "WHOSOEVER"; no matter who it is, or what plea is raised, it is "WHOSOEVER"; for God is no respecter of persons. How solemn! If a man has not Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the Giver of everlasting life, for his Saviour, how can his name be written in the book of life?

Life through the death of Jesus,

Gift of eternal love,

Sweetly the gospel message

Sounds from the throne above;

Life for the guilty sinner,

Freedom for slaves of sin;

God's blessed "WHOSOEVER”

Takes every lost one in.

Washed in the blood of Jesus,

Clean in God's holy sight,

Jesus can make the vilest

Whiter than snow to-night.