AN EARNEST Christian doctor one day called to see an old man that he had frequently visited before. Many a time on those visits Dr. Scranton had spoken faithfully to old John and his wife about their souls’ salvation. But the door’s talking seemed to produce no results. Old John listened attentively, and agreed to the truth set before him but he always avoided coming to the point.
He would willingly admit that he was a sinner, and that he stood in need of God’s salvation. He would even declare his intention of some day seeking the Saviour. He wished to be saved, indeed, but only to escape the punishment of hell. He intended to prepare for heaven when it was convenient for him to do so.
Old John had sent for Dr. Scranton because he had a severe chest cold. His life was not in danger but he felt very weak. The kind doctor examined the sick man and assured him that his illness was not serious. He prescribed some medicine and was about to leave when John’s wife inquired,
“When must John take the medicine, sir?”
“I will have the directions written on the label,” replied Dr. Scranton. Then with a smile he turned to John and said, “Let me see; you are not very ill. Suppose you begin to take the medicine a month from today.”
“A month from today!” cried both at once in astonishment.
“Yes. Why not? Is that too soon?” “Too soon! Why, sir, I may be dead then.”
“That is true,” said the doctor, “but you must remember that you are really not very bad yet. Still, perhaps you had better begin to take it in a week.”
“But, sir,” cried John in great perplexity, “I might not live a week!”
“Of course you may not, John, but very likely you will and the medicine will be here in the house. It will keep and if you get worse you could take some. If you feel worse tomorrow you might begin then.”
“Sir, I may be dead tomorrow! I hope you won’t be angry with me or think me ungrateful to you, as you have always been so kind to me. But you know, doctor, 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. It does seem to me to be 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. Scranton kindly. “I only wanted to show you how false your own reasoning is, when you delay taking the medicine which the Great Physician has provided for your sin-sick soul. Just think how long you have neglected the remedy God has provided. For years you have turned away from the Lord Jesus Christ. You have said to yourself that you would take Him next week, or next month, or when you are on your death-bed; any time rather than at 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; bold, now is the day of salvation.’ I need not tell you how ready the Lord Jesus is to receive you. He shed His precious blood for you. You have the medicine, so to speak, in your hands. And to use your own argument, it will do you no good unless you take it. It is foolish to put this off, even until tomorrow.”
ML-12/15/1963