THE people who lived about seven hundred years ago, thought that somewhere, if only it could be discovered, were two things that would greatly bless the world.
The first was, something that would turn iron and all common metals into gold. And the second, an “elixir of life,” that would prevent death and sickness, and keep those who drank it young forever.
Many were the curious experiments that were made in search of these two wonders; and it is supposed that an Arab named Albucosis in his researches was led to the discovery of alcohol. His career of intoxication and violence was but short, and he found the “elixir of life” to be but the water of death.
Many who read this may smile at the folly of such an attempt, but it is not greater than that of thousands today who are seeking for life, in a world of death which is lying under the sentence of condemnation, awaiting its doom, and of some who are seeking to be enriched by a world without resource, which has cast off God, having foully murdered His Son. Life out of death is only found in Him who was once uplifted on the cross of Calvary, in order that, whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:1414And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14)). God has declared that “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
To be truly enriched, dear reader, you must possess God’s treasure, ―the Lord Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Do you possess Him, knowing Him as your Saviour? so that through faith in Him you can say, “I am His, and He is mine.” If not―
“Thou’rt poor without Him,
Though of all possessed.”
Value not lightly a gift so precious. Only God could estimate its cost, and, oh, wonder of wonders, He loved! He gave! “He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up.” So that, believing on Him, you might receive life through Him; and know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty may be rich.
Are you really a believer in Him, and know that you have passed from death unto life? (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)). Or are you still unbelieving, and one of the company of which God says,— “Shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him”?
E. E. N.