A young fellow aboard a ship bound for Australia was asked to come and hear the gospel preached on board by a servant of Christ. To this invitation he made this light and trifling reply, “Heaven is not for sailors, it is only for people on land.” He refused to come and listen to the joyful tidings.
It so happened that this same young fellow had in his possession a small New Testament. In it were marked by some unknown hand many precious verses, among them 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): “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.” Had he read those verses? If he had, what a flat denial they should have been to his own rash statement, “Heaven is not for sailors, it is only for people on land.”
And if he had read those verses, had he noticed the two that follow: “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”?
Despise today, and you may
Wonder at your own madness tomorrow, and
Perish forever.
A few days later this young fellow in carrying out his duties, climbed almost to the top of the mast, suddenly lost his hold, and fell with a crash upon the ship’s rail, and then into the water. A life buoy was thrown to him, but he was dead.
Do not trifle, but be wise in time, dear reader. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1).
ML 04/14/1968