MRS. R―was dying without Christ; her end was near. The doctor had pronounced her case hopeless, and now she was aroused as to the condition of her soul, as well as her body. She was troubled and anxious, and her husband (a Christian) called to ask me to come and see her. I promised to do so as soon as I was free in the evening; and, my work done, I lost no time in going on such an important errand.
A brother in Christ went with me, and we felt our business so extremely solemn, that before reaching the cottage where Mrs. R―lived, we halted by the roadside for a few moments’ prayer for His guidance who alone could guide. Knocking at the door it was answered by a neighbor, several of whom were sitting in the kitchen, ready to render any little service which might be required. We were ushered into the bedroom where on a small chair-bed Mrs. R―was lying.
A few observations having been made as to the reality of eternity and the blessedness of being ready by resting on the work of Christ, she abruptly broke in by saying that during the afternoon she had felt so happy that she could not help singing. Jealous lest Satan might be deluding her by occupation with frames and feelings, to cheat her out of the salvation which God was offering even at this eleventh hour, I inquired as to the ground of her happiness, and what would be her plea if asked for one on entering the gates of heaven. I shall never forget the simplicity and frankness of her answer, as she replied, “His merit.” Her answer was conclusive, and it was my happy privilege, instead of pointing to Christ, to seek to build up in Him. I referred to various scriptures calculated to establish her soul in Christ, but fearing lest our presence was taxing her bodily strength, we soon left, cheered in spirit and thankful to God for what we had witnessed.
I never saw her again, for two days after she passed away to be “forever with the Lord,” being sustained to the last.
My dear reader, may I affectionately ask on what are you resting the eternal welfare of your soul I Perhaps you, like Mrs. R―, are trifling the precious moments away, regardless of that eternity which is soon to come upon you. She put it off to the last: and by a hairsbreadth only escaped the torments of the lake of fire. I entreat you now to “consider your latter end and be wise.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa. 111:1010The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)). The apostle Paul could say, “Whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent” (Acts 13:2626Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. (Acts 13:26)). Also, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)). Again, “For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven” (Heb. 12:2525See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)).
But may be the eye of an anxious soul will scan these lines. You are awake as to your state before God; you have sought rest by various means, but have failed to gain it; you feel worse than ever, like a person racked with pain, who tries every posture to gain a little ease, but nothing avails, and from the depths of your soul you are ready to cry out, “Woe is me, for I am undone” (Isa. 6:55Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)).
Well, thanks be to God, if such is your experience. When the Lord Jesus Christ hung on Calvary’s cross, we read that “darkness was over all the earth until the ninth hour” (Luke 23:4444And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Luke 23:44)). No human mind will ever be able to estimate the sufferings which the Lord Jesus endured during that period of darkness. It was there, dear reader, that He “suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). It was then His soul was made “an offering for sin” (Isa. 53:1010Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)). The testimony of Scripture is “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)). “God commendeth his love toward us, that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). Thus the atoning sacrifice and death of the Lord Jesus meets the claims of a holy God against sinners, and the sinner is accepted before God by virtue of what Christ is, and has done.
“It is not thy tears of repentance, or prayers,
But the blood, that atones for the soul.”
If ever you and I are to have a place in God’s presence it must be on the ground of what Christ is, and has done. We are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)). “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1, 21Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1‑2)).
Thus, dear reader, we point you to the One on whom Mrs. R―could pillow her weary soul. How blessed to be able to give as your answer when asked your passport into the glory of God, “His merit.”