The following story of the heroism of a brave man brought vividly to my mind a verse in God’s precious Word. It runs thus (you will find it in the Epistle to the Romans chapter 5 verse 8) “But God commendeth HIS love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse may be familiar to you, but if not, will you keep it in mind as you read this.
The hero of the story was one of the brave lifeboatmen who often risk their lives amongst the rough seas and strong gales of winter to rescue the mariner in distress: he was the captain or “coxswain” of his local boat.
His boat was called out on service by distress signals shown by a vessel at some distance, and though the storm raged high, they at once went forward on their errand of mercy. When after a trying and dangerous trip they reached the vessel they found
only one man left on board.
His comrades had been rescued by a passing steamer which had been able to pass close enough for them to jump on board. You will ask why this man, too, did not jump. He COULD NOT, he was a cripple, WITHOUT STRENGTH. The way of salvation that was open to his mates had been closed to him.
Before we go on, just notice that he was a very good picture of what we are in God’s sight. If you look two verses above that one of which we spoke, to Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6), you will see it says that “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” WE cannot do anything to save OURSELVES.
He risked his life
As soon as the coxswain saw the state of things, he ordered the Lifeboat to be brought alongside the sinking ship, and leaning out grasped the legs of the cripple who had managed to hang on to a piece of rope over the side, and called to him to let go. But the poor fellow, unnerved by his terrible experience, and looking at the angry waves beneath him was afraid to let go, and a precious opportunity was lost. The coxswain knew that if he relaxed his hold, the poor man would probably drop into the sea from exhaustion, and he clung on to him the tighter. But a great wave came up and swept the two boats apart. And as the coxswain would not let go his man, he was dragged out of the Lifeboat. In a minute or two more, after the wave had passed, the boats swung together again, and the brave man in the water received the full force of the blow. He managed however to release the man’s hold of his rope, and the crew of the lifeboat got him safely on board. Before they could get their captain also back, the boats were again separated by a tremendous wave. Again they came together with sickening force―with that gallant man still between them. Yet a third time did this happen before his friends got him into the boat―alive indeed but terribly crushed. They took him ashore, and loving hands tended him with the utmost care, but without avail.
He lived only a few days,
being too badly hurt to recover. Now what do you think of a man like that? He knew quite well the risk he ran, and yet deliberately went after that poor cripple, determined to save him if he could. And save him he did, at the cost of his own life.
“Oh,” you say “I think he was wonderful.” So do I. But does it not make our verse still more wonderful? To think that when we were not only “without strength,” but “ungodly,” and “sinners,” God should love us so much as to give His own dear Son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for us, that we might be saved―this is a more wonderful story than any the world has ever known. And it is just this love that God tells us of―commends to us. Let me ask you―have you put your trust in the blessed Savior Who loved you so much that He died that you might have “everlasting life”? God has told us plainly in His Word that we can do nothing to save ourselves―any more than that poor cripple could save himself. True, he had only to jump and he would have been saved with his shipmates. But how can a cripple jump? And it is just as impossible for you or me, sinners by nature and by practice, to do anything for our own salvation. If we are to be saved someone else must do it―and the Someone else is JESUS: He has died that we might be saved, and there is no other way. Now God invites everyone, young or old, “whosoever will” to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and THOU SHALT BE SAVED.”
Do Not Refuse
I trust no reader of this paper will be among those who refuse to come to Jesus. Just think, supposing that cripple, when his would be rescuer had clasped him, had kicked and struggled, and cried out “Let me alone.” You say “How foolish, how ungrateful.” True it would have been. But don’t you behave like that to the Love of God. When we think of what the Savior suffered for us, and of the death He died to save us from sin and from judgment, what can we say but echo the words written long ago by a young lady as her answer to the love of God―
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I COME.