THE WATCH in our picture will serve as an object lesson for today, to bring some gospel truths before us.
1. It is a gift. Nothing was paid for it. No work was done to earn it. A father gave it to his son as a birthday gift, and all that was required on the boy’s part, was to receive the gift, and to thank the giver. This is exactly how it is with eternal life. It is the “free gift of God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23), R.V.). All who receive Him (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)) as their personal Saviour, “HAVE eternal life” (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)). God says it, and they believe it, and rejoice in it.
2. It is not a loan, but a full possession. I know a boy who got the loan of his father’s watch during his vacation, on the understanding that he was to give it back when he returned. But God does not give salvation, eternal life, or any of the great blessings made known in the gospel, on loan. He gives them as possessions, to be retained forever. Of all who receive His free gift of eternal life, the Word is, “They shall never perish (John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)). They are Christ’s, and He is theirs forever.
3. It is a present possession. The boy does not hope he owns this watch. He KNOWS it is his. He came to this knowledge first by hearing his father, who gave it to him, say that it was now his, and next, through having it in his pocket, hearing its tick, and using it day by day. He knows in experience that the watch is his property. It will take a good deal of argument to convince him that it is otherwise.
4. A blessed enjoyment. This watch is much valued, for its own usefulness, and because of its giver. So is the life the saved sinner has. He knows there is a new power, and new desires within, which are the practical witness that Christ is there. Let each receive, feed on, enjoy and manifest this new and heavenly life as theirs in possession.
J. R.
ML-05/27/1962