“Only one more dance, Jim, and then I’m done with it forever. I know you’ve got the best of it, but then a fellow can’t say ‘No’ when one is asked to buy a ticket. I know as well as you can tell me that it is all false, this thing they call happiness, but then, once begun, it’s no easy job to give it up. I know I’ll have a headache all next day after dancing and drinking, and I’ll be miserable as possible, but it’s the last positively: then I’ll settle down to think seriously.
Fred was just a young fellow, and he had spoken these words to a friend who had been pointing out to him the danger of living a careless, Christless life.
“I don’t ask you to give up your dance,” Jim replied. “I know it’s a hard job if you’ve got nothing better, but I ask you to receive Christ, and there will be no difficulty then. There was a time when I was as fond of dancing as you are, and a good deal more besides, but from the moment I received Christ, I never had a desire to return; and what’s more, nobody ever asked me. I don’t need them, because I have Christ, and He quite satisfies me. I have all the joy and pleasure I want in His service. I can assure you there’s nothing false in it.
“You can’t say I’m long-faced or sad either, for Christ never made anybody that way. I grant you lots of religious folks are putting on a false front; but there is a real thing, Fred, I tell you, and nothing will give me greater joy than to see you in possession of it.”
“All right, Jim, I’ll see you again soon, and we’ll talk seriously about it then. Meanwhile, it’s no use talking about it when I’m going to have one dance more.”
He had it, and true as he said, it was his last. He caught cold; pneumonia set in, and before a week Fred was in eternity. His last dance may have been the price of his soul.
Reader, what if your soul goes at the same price? One thing is sure, your last dance will come—then definite judgment. There is yet an open door for escape. Christ still receives sinners. Tomorrow may be too late. God has said: “They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.” (Job 21:1313They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. (Job 21:13).) “After this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).)
ML-06/04/1978