WHAT a solemn event in your history, dear reader, when death, like a well-trained wrestler, shall clasp your frail body, and, spite of all your struggles in ardent desire for sweet life, overcome you, hold you helpless in his iron grasp, pushing you across the line which separates time from eternity, and land you—where?
Such an event will be but of trifling moment to the world at large, or even to the town or hamlet in which your earthly journey shall come to a close; but for you, how intensely important.
It was once asked by Him who knew how to put a just estimate upon both temporal and eternal things, “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)). But did it ever occur to you, unsaved friend, that there is even a possibility of your losing your soul? Then allow me to remind you that possibility may grow into probability, and probability into certainty.
Every gospel-hearing sinner in hell at this moment had a last opportunity. Dare you say that this is not yours?
Permit me in a homely way to relate a solemn incident. In doing so my prayer is; that God may use it to your eternal blessing. Remember, it is not an over-colored picture in which you are left to wonder “Is it true?” But one so dreadfully, so painfully true, that its like I hope never to see again.
It was while holding gospel meetings in a town in the West Riding of., Yorkshire that I was requested by a Christian woman to visit a sick neighbor of hers, whose last hope of recovery had been dashed to pieces by the opinion of an eminent, physician a few days before. To deal with any perishing sinner in Christ’s name is always a serious matter; but to have to speak to one so evidently on the verge of eternity, rendered my visit an unspeakably solemn one.
Well, I sat down beside the poor invalid, and soon found that, as to the outward understanding, the sweet tale of redeeming love was no strange sound to her ear. While most readily assenting to all I said, she had but one thing to say in response, and that was, “It’s all dark to ME.”
I earnestly sought to comfort her with suitable portions of the Word of God, explaining, as simply as I possibly could, God’s “way of peace.”
The blessed stories of the dying thief and the prodigal’s return were spoken of. Similar monuments of grace were held up one after another before her, but still there was the same sad response, “It’s all dark to me”; and then raising herself up with her elbow on the pillow, she said with deep emphasis, “And I know where I missed it.”
“What do you mean?” I inquired anxiously.
She then explained herself, and as nearly as I can recollect in the following words: “When you were here two years ago preaching the gospel in the M― Hall, I was invited by some Christian neighbors to come and hear. I consented, and went. When the preaching was about half over, I felt the Word of God dealing so powerfully with my soul, that I felt I must either give in, there and then, and get converted, or else walk straight out; for I could not bear it.”
“And what did you do?” I inquired.
“I got up and walked out of the hall. Two Christian women, who thought I must be ill, followed me out; and never did they guess it was otherwise, until about a fortnight ago, when I told them all about it. It was there that I missed it; and it is all dark now”!
Feeling concerned about her, I went again to see her the following day; but her face wore the same blank, despairing look, and the same sad words came from her lips, “It is all dark yet.”
The next day severe hemorrhage set in, and in a few minutes she was hurried away―whither?
Nay, friend, there the curtain must fall. She left no ground for hope, as far as man can judge; and it is greatly to be feared that she died as she lived.
And now I would turn away from such a soul-harrowing spectacle to another case, well-nigh as bad, and one with which you ought to be well acquainted. Do you inquire with interest, “Whose case is it?”
IT IS YOUR OWN.
“My case?”
Yes, YOURS, if still unsaved. Don’t forget, I pray you, that the longsuffering of God, and your guilty soul, were never so near parting company, and that forever, as now that your eye runs from side to side of this sheet of paper. Consider your position in view of eternity. Has not God been giving you special privileges of late? Death has been coming very near, but it has missed YOU. God’s grace has been at work near you too; others have been blessed, but you have missed IT.
Liston to me; you may be having the last note of entreaty that God intends to sound in your ears. What remorse will be yours―remorse in its intensest bitterness―if, like, the rich man, you one day suddenly wake up in hell. Then will mocking memory hold up before your eyes every golden opportunity lost in hardened unbelief, and you will have to say to yourself, “The great gulf is FIXED, and I am LOST―FOREVER LOST, and I know where I missed it. Lost within reach of salvation; lost with my Coot on the very threshold of the door of mercy; lost with gospel tracts in my possession and gospel sermons ringing in my ears.” Oh, then, lest this should ever be your own case, while salvation is still held out to you, let me entreat you to bow your heart to the Savior. Let no mere appearances deceive you. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH” (Prov. 16:2525There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25)).
Think not that understanding the way of salvation will either comfort you in the hour of death, or shelter you in the day of judgment. Hear the word of the Lord. “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in congregation of the dead” (Prov. 21:1616The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. (Proverbs 21:16)). Remain WHERE? Where GOD SAYS you shall remain― “in the congregation of the dead.”
“And what congregation is that?” do you ask. It is the company that shall stand for judgment before the great white throne, within one word of the lake of fire―that righteous word, “Depart.”
Depend upon it, dear unconverted soul, if life’s journey closes upon you in your present condition, you will make one in dint congregation―and do not forget what God says — you shall “remain” in that sin-cursed company throughout eternity. Stand still, and think, I entreat you. God’s all-searching eye is, this moment, upon you. Does He see you repenting and heartily desiring to receive the blessing He delights to bestow? Or does He see you turning aside once more to the world and the sinful transient pleasures in it? Can the latter really be possible? God is your witness, and one or other is true of you.
But if you are truly anxious, a confessed sinner in the searching light of the presence of God, let me remind you that the all-cleansing blood of God’s provided Lamb has been already shed; the soul-saving work of that same blessed Person has been already finished. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. vs. 6). Upon the cross the requirements of God, and the need of the sinner were both righteously met. God has declared His eternal satisfaction and delight in Christ and His work, by raising Him from the dead and giving Him glory. God’s love can now flow into your heart without any let or hindrance on His side. It was perfect love that found and gave the sacrifice; and now that all has been accomplished, the some perfect love beseeches you to be reconciled. Why not then.
“Take the guilty sinner’s name―
The guilty sinner’s Savior’s claim”
He who was once upon the cross bearing sins, is now in heaven without them, having made purgation for them (Heb. 1:33Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)); so that instead of the believer’s sins appearing in the presence of God against him, He who bore his sins appears now in the presence of God for him (Heb. 24). “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” (Rom. 9).
“Then doubt not thy welcome, since God has declared
There remaineth no more to be done;
Christ once in the end of the world hath appeared,
And completed the work HE begun.”