The person who accepts the gospel gains immensely, even in this life. Peace of conscience, rest of mind, and satisfaction of heart are surely worth having, and all these we get when we truly receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who knows Christ as his Saviour has no reason to fear death, and he can look forward to the future beyond the grave without the least misgiving. The future is no longer dark with the thought of judgment. It is no longer a gulf into which he fears to fall and which he strives to forget. On the contrary, it is bright with the thought of home and glory.
It is no small gain to realize that sin no longer oppresses the heart. It is no small gain to enjoy the smile of a Saviour-God and communion with His Son. Even in this life, knowing our sins are forgiven brings wonderful peace.
But all these advantages seem as an idle tale to an unsaved person. What he thinks he will lose by accepting the gospel is painfully real to him, while what he is told he will gain only faintly appeals to him.
But a moment’s consideration of the eternal future should settle all hesitation at making the exchange. Better to die in the gutter with our sins forgiven than to die on a throne unsaved. Better to spend a lifetime in prison, if heaven is our destiny in the next world, than to live the happiest life that mortals ever knew down here if our fate in the existence beyond the grave is everlasting banishment.
Consider the brief span of life here on earth. Then you will realize something of the meaning of the old, unanswerable question: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)).
The door to heaven—the door back to God—has been opened. It was opened up in the person of God’s Son. Sin, the mighty barrier, shut man out from God’s presence, but the Son of God put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, bringing in everlasting righteousness to all who will receive Him.
You do not need to pray for an open way; it is open. You have simply to enter in, believing on that Saviour who died that you might live.