AN aged minister was imploring a young man, whom he had known for years, to decide for Christ, when the young man answered him, “You have often told me I have only to say ‘Lord, save me,’ and I shall be all right, but this I can do any day, at any time, so I shall not turn my thoughts to religion now.”
The minister was shocked by the daring infidelity of the young man. He was taken aback by the very words which he had, alas, put into his young hearer’s lips, for he had not preached the gospel in its saving strength, nor had he fully warned his many hearers of their danger, and he knew not what to answer.
It is not enough to say, “Lord, save me,” in order to be saved; a man must believe on the Lord Himself. We are not saved by the use of words, as the superstitious suppose they can escape danger by wearing a charm; for faith is heart work, as it is written, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9, 109That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9‑10).)
The young man went away with the lie in his heart, determined to enjoy the world up to the last, and stifling his thoughts of eternity by the false hope―I can, when I choose, cry “Lord, save me.”
He was engaged in business in London, and not long after the interview related, he had to hurry across Cheapside. The street was crowded with its daily carriage traffic, and the roadway being slippery, his foot gave way upon the treacherous asphalt; in a moment he was under the horses’ heads, and crushed beneath the wheels. Some standing by saw the terrible accident and rushed to help. They heard his voice. He had only time to utter three short words; familiar words, often used, and frequently on the lips of many when thwarted or annoyed―three black, horrible words―“Devil, take me” and the young man’s life was crushed out of him. He was gone. Horrible mockery of his own fatal creed that, “Lord, save me,” uttered at any time, would suffice to save his soul. Solemn warning to you, reader, still unsaved. No sin is so evil as that of trifling with the Son of God, who shed His blood to wash away our sins, who bore the wrath of God due to guilty man, in order that believing on Him, man might be saved. God in sovereign grace brings this gospel of salvation to you, and you are responsible to God for refusing it. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).)