A soldier was about to be brought before his commanding officer for some offense. He was an old offender, and had often been punished. "Here he is again," said the officer when the culprit's name was mentioned. "Flogging, disgrace, solitary confinement, everything has been tried with him."
The sergeant stepped forward, and apologizing for the liberty, said: "There is one thing, sir, which has never been done with him."
"What is that?" said the officer.
"Well, sir," said the sergeant in trembling tones, "he has never been forgiven."
"Forgiven!" exclaimed the colonel, aghast at the suggestion. He reflected a few minutes, ordered the culprit to be brought in, and asked him what he had to say to the charge.
"Nothing, sir," was the reply; "only I am sorry for what I have done."
Turning a kind and pitying look on the man, who expected nothing else than that his punishment would be increased with the repetition, the colonel addressed him, saying, "Well, we have tried everything with you to no avail. Now we are resolved to—forgive—you."
The soldier was struck dumb with amazement. The tears started in his eyes, and he wept like a child. He was humbled to the dust, and, thanking his officer, he retired—to be the old refractory, incorrigible man? No! From that day forward he was a new man, for loving—kindness had won him. He who told the story had him for years under his eye, and a better-conducted man never wore the country's colors.
The incident just related is but a faint picture of the way in which God is dealing with sinners. Man has been repeatedly tried by God, but in every instance has failed. Then the question arises: Oh, what shall be done with him? Mercy would fain answer, "Forgive." But Justice says, "No," for the "wages of sin is death." "Without shedding of blood is no remission." The cry of Justice is, "Blood! Blood!"
What is to be done? Evidently death must be meted out as the punishment of sin. Though the love and grace of God desire the sinner's salvation, yet His justice—which is infinite as His mercy—must be satisfied. To whom shall we look then for deliverance? To man? No! We have already seen him to be a complete failure under every trial, from first to last.
Reader, are you forgiven? If you are still in the power of Satan, you are liable at any moment to be launched into hell! Trifle not. Time is very short. "Now is the day of salvation."