A DEAR Christian boy, living in the village of E―, died rejoicing in the Lord. Ere passing away he spoke freely to his father of the One he knew and loved. His words left such a deep impression on him, that he became greatly concerned about the eternal welfare of his soul.
A resident in the village, named L―, hearing of his troubled condition, called one day to see him, when he met him at the door in tears, exclaiming in great distress, “I’m a lost man; what must I do to be saved?”
Entering a room, they spent some time together, speaking on the subject of salvation. L―read to him several verses from Isaiah 53, explaining also how Christ came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, bearing its judgment on the cross, and was now presented as a Saviour for the lost, that whosoever believeth on Him might receive the remission of sins (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)). Concluding with prayer to God to bless His word, and having invited him to the preaching of the gospel, he left him somewhat comforted.
After this he attended several gospel meetings, when L―had many opportunities of again pointing him to Christ and His precious blood. But the impression, though real at the time, appeared to gradually die off, and he excused himself saying that he could not yet live the life of a Christian, that he had a wife and family to keep, and that he must go with the world and its ways in his calling, or he would soon be a sufferer in this world’s goods.
L―spoke to him faithfully of the solemnity of trifling with his soul, and with God’s word and ways; reminding him of the warning, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)), who looked back and was lost; and how the Scripture said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)); and that the friends of the world were the enemies of God. But not liking this plain speaking, he soon ceased to come and hear the Word.
A few years ran by, and it seemed as though he had chosen the things of time, and was left to follow them, to reap eventually the fruit of his folly, when the Lord again spoke to him, suddenly and loudly. He lost his situation. Then two more dear children fell ill, and died very happily in the Lord, both beseeching him, like the former one, to meet them in heaven; which again wrought deeply upon his feelings.
Yet still he went on, and prosperity in this world seemed to come to him more than before. But the time came when this changed, so that he lost his all, and had the greatest difficulty in securing a livelihood for his wife and family. Yet he continued to pursue the old path with the old companions, apparently deaf to the Lord’s voice, “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not” (Job 33:1414For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (Job 33:14)).
At last the Lord’s hand was laid heavily upon him, and he was suddenly called to face death and eternity. It was then that his awful condition as a guilty and lost sinner before God came again before him. Bowed in deep self-judgment in His holy presence, he confessed his sins without reserve. Light broke in, and dispelled the darkness in his soul. Looking away from self, he saw in Jesus, the Son of God, a Saviour for the lost. He believed on Him; knew Him henceforth as the One who died for him; and rejoiced in the great salvation of God.
His illness was severe, but all was calm within. The enemy sought hard to rob him of his joy; but he was heard to say, “You cannot have me now, Satan, for I am delivered and saved; although you may harass and distress me, I have escaped out of your hands.”
He seemed to dread getting well again, feeling how wrong his former life had been, and the necessity of treading a different path, and his own weakness in having to encounter the difficulties of the way. But his illness was short. A few more days, and the Lord took him out of every trial, to be with Himself forever (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)).
Dear reader, how does it fare with you? Maybe God has spoken once, yea twice, to you, and you perceived it not. Take care. Death is before you. Each sinner’s turn must come. You may shrink back at the thought, but you have to face it. You may stave it off in your mind to a distant future, but time runs swiftly on, and all is uncertain. It may stare you in the face when you least expect it. Are you ready to meet it? “Beware lest he take thee away with his stroke, then a great ransom cannot deliver thee” (Job 36:1818Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. (Job 36:18)). There is one way, and one way only, of deliverance, and that is, through Christ. Plead guilty now at the bar of God. Confess your sin before Him. May He give you to say, “I’m a lost man; what must I do to be saved?” The answer is simple, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” &c. (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). “To him give all the prophets witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)). Tomorrow may be too late. E. H. C.