DEAR young friends, as I was passing down one of the leading thoroughfares of L. a few weeks back, I saw a poor blind man holding out his hand for someone to lead him across the road.
With care I did so, amid the throng of vehicles which were passing. He kept fast hold of my arm, and felt himself safe, although he could not see one step before him, or discern night from day. On our arriving at the other side of the street, he said—
“Thank you, my friend; and so may God lead you to heaven.”
I asked by what way?
He answered, “By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” seeming surprised at my asking such a question, and that I did not know the Lord Jesus had said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
I shook hands with him, saying, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.” And so we parted: he went his way, and I passed on mine, perhaps never to meet again till we see each other in the glory to part no more forever.
But in the few simple words he uttered he told out the gospel of the grace of God fully and truly, according to God’s own word. When the Philippian jailer asked the apostle what he must do to be saved, the answer was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:30,3130And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30‑31).
And it is as true today as it was then. Jesus, and none but Jesus, can give rest to the heart. Dear young reader, true rest is only to be found in the precious blood of the Son of God. He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. He came forth from the Father, “the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” He that believeth hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
And do you know all becomes ours by simply believing this testimony of God concerning His Son? “He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” All who receive this truth in the love of it are saved and never can perish (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
But one more look at the poor blind man. He kept fast hold of my arm and felt himself safe, quite safe, notwithstanding the seeming confusion and turmoil which he. could hear all around him. So also is it with the poor sinner; he not only gets deliverance from sin, and has eternal life through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, but he gets perfect peace and safety also while passing through this world of confusion and sorrow, by simply looking to that same glorious One.
Dear young reader, may I ask, do you, like the poor blind man, know the happiness of being led day by day onward to heavenly glory? The poor blind man was shut out from the light of this world, but he was through mercy given to know the blessedness of these eternal realities through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who came into this world and put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself; and He is coming again the second time without sin unto salvation.
Dear young reader, are you prepared to meet Him? Do you know the cleansing power of His precious blood? Have you tasted the sweetness of redeeming love? If so, let your light so shine before men that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.
ML 01/28/1906