An earnest Christian Doctor one day called to see an old man that he had frequently visited before. Many a time had Dr. S. spoken faithfully to old John and his wife about their souls’ salvation; but apparently without result.
Old John listened attentively, and agreed to the truth set before him; but seemed always to avoid coming to the point.
He would willingly admit that he was a sinner, and that he stood in need of God’s salvation. Mt would even declare his intention of someday seeking the Saviour. He wished to be saved, indeed, but simply to escape the punishment of hell. He intended to prepare for heaven, but would put off till what seemed to him “a more convenient season.”
Old John was suffering from an attack of bronchitis. His life was not in danger; but he felt painfully weak and ill.
Dr. S. made the necessary inquiries, and, after promising to get some medicine ready, when called for, he was about to leave, when John’s wife inquired: “When must John take the medicine, sir?”
“I will put the directions on the label,” replied Dr. S.; then, with a smile, he turned to the invalid and said, “Let me see; you are not very ill; suppose you begin to take the medicine in a month from today.”
“A month from today, sir!” cried both at once, in astonishment.
“Yes—why not? Is that too soon?” “Too soon! why, sir, I may be dead then!” said John.
“That is true; but you must remember, you really are not very bad yet. Still, perhaps you had better begin to take it in a week.”
“But, sir,” cried John in great perplexity; “I mightn’t live a week.”
“Of course you may not, John; but very likely you will, and the medicine will be in the house; it will keep, and if you should find yourself getting worse, you could take some. I shan’t charge anything for it. If you should feel worse tomorrow even, you might begin then.”
“Sir, I may be dead tomorrow! I hope you won’t be angry with me, nor think me ungrateful to you, as you have always been so kind to me; but you know, sir, I don’t want to get worse; and though I know the medicine is good, it will do me no good while it’s in the bottle; and it does seem to me, sir, ‘tis going against all reason to put off taking it:”
“When would you propose to begin then, John?”
“Well, sir, I thought you’d tell me to begin today.”
“Begin today by all means,” said Dr. S., kindly. “I only wanted to show you how false your own reasoning is, when you put off taking the medicine, which the Great Physician has provided for your sin-sick soul. Just think how long you have neglected the remedy He has provided. For years you have turned away from the Lord Jesus. You have said to yourself, ‘next week,’ or ‘next year,’ or ‘when I am on my deathbed, I will seek the Lord;’ any time rather than the present. And yet the present is the only time that you are sure of. God’s offer is only for ‘today.’ ‘Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’ I need not tell you how ready the Lord Jesus is to receive you; how His precious blood was shed for you. You have the medicine, so to speak, in your hands; but, to use your own argument, it will do you no good unless you take it; and it is foolish to put this off, even until tomorrow.”— Selected.
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Prov. 27: 1.
ML 09/02/1900