A servant of Christ was on a visit to a small town. He was staying at a friend's house, and while he was there, a neighbor came to the door. He asked that someone might call on a sick man who was evidently near death. The Christian immediately went; and, while on the way, he was told about the man he was going to see.
The sick man's wife had been a notorious sinner, yes, a terrible sinner; but through the grace of God, she had been brought to know Him who is the Savior of sinners, even Christ. Now, having so much joy in Him who had forgiven her so much, she was exceedingly anxious that her husband too might be saved and have the happiness of possessing eternal life. She had tried often to tell him in simplicity of the love of Jesus, but so far all had seemed in vain. Her husband sneeringly answered her: "He hasn't done much for me! Why should I think of Him?" Thus he despised the proffered mercy of God.
But now he was laid on a bed of affliction; and although naturally a strong man, had become in his illness as helpless as a babe. Even so, he did not want to hear about Christ. He had no thought of dying yet, and said he would wait till he was better before he talked of such things.
When the visitor reached the house, the poor man was in a state of great exhaustion and was gasping for breath. He was so ill that he could scarcely bear to hear the sound of the human voice. Yet the Christian visitor felt constrained to inquire about his soul. He feebly replied: "I'll wait till I'm a little better; and then I'll think of these things.”
In spite of this the visitor pleaded with him gently to accept as Savior Him who came down into this world, and died upon the cross for sinners. Still his only answer was, "I'll wait till I'm a little better.”
Poor man! He never got better. In a few days he passed into eternity; and what an eternity for him!
Friend, this poor man put off and put off receiving Christ, and at last it was too late. Will you be like him? You can be saved now. Tomorrow you may be forever lost. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," is today's message to each sin-burdened one. If you die in your sins you will hear your eternal doom: "Depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:2727But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27).