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It is as if one saw plenty of
food in a shop and yet remained hungry, for want of
personally eating some of that food. It is all in
vain, dear reader, that you and I have met, unless
you have actually laid hold upon Jesus, my Lord.
On my part there was a distinct
desire to benefit you, and I have done my best to
that end. It pains me that I have not been able to
do you good, for I have longed to win that
privilege. I was thinking of you when I wrote this
page, and I laid down my pen and solemnly bowed my
knee in prayer for everyone who should read it. It
is my firm conviction that great numbers of readers
will get a blessing, even though you refuse to be of
the number.
But why should you refuse? If
you do not desire the choice blessing which I would
have brought to you, at least do me the justice to
admit that the blame of your final doom will not lie
at my door. When we two meet before the great white
throne you will not be able to charge me with having
idly used the attention which you were pleased to
give me while you were reading my little book. God
knows I wrote each line for your eternal good.
I now in spirit take you by the
hand. I give you a firm grip. Do you feel my
brotherly grasp? The tears are in my eyes as I look
at you and say, Why will you die? Will you not give
your soul a thought? Will you perish through sheer
carelessness? Oh, do not do so; but weigh these
solemn matters, and make sure work for eternity! Do
not refuse Jesus, His love, His blood, His
salvation. Why should you do so? Can you do it?
I beseech you, do not turn away
from your Redeemer!
If, on the other hand, my
prayers are heard, and you, my reader, have been led
to trust the Lord Jesus and receive from Him
salvation by grace, then hold to this doctrine for
ever, and this way of living. Let Jesus be your all
in all, and let free grace be the one line in which
you live and move.
There is no life like that of
one who lives in the favour of God. To receive all
as a free gift preserves the mind from
self-righteous pride, and from self-accusing
despair. It makes the heart grow warm with grateful
love, and thus it creates a feeling in the soul
which is infinitely more acceptable to God than
anything that can possibly come of slavish fear.
Those who hope to be saved by trying to do their
best know nothing of that glowing fervor, that
hallowed warmth, that devoted joy in God, which
comes when we accept the salvation that is freely
given according to the grace of God. The slavish
spirit of self-salvation is no match for the joyous
spirit of adoption. There is more real virtue in the
least emotion of faith than in all the tuggings of
legal bond-slaves, or all the weary machinery of
devotees who would climb to Heaven by rounds of
ceremonies.
Faith is spiritual, and God who
is spirit delights in it for that reason. Years of
prayer-saying, and church-going, or chapel-going,
and ceremonies, and performances, may only be an
abomination in the sight of God; but a glance from
the eye of true faith is spiritual and it is
therefore dear to Him. "The Father seeks such to
worship him." Look you first to the inner man, and
to the spiritual, and the rest will then follow in
due course.
If you have accepted salvation
by grace, be on the watch for the souls of others.
Your own heart will not prosper unless it is filled
with intense concern to bless your fellow men. The
life of your soul lies in faith; its health lies in
love. He who does not pine to lead others to Jesus
has never been under the spell of love himself. Get
to the work of the Lord - the work of love. Begin at
home. Visit your neighbours next. Enlighten the
village or the street in which you live. Scatter the
word of the Lord wherever your hand can reach.
Reader, meet me in heaven! Why
do you wish to enter the way of death when Heaven's
gate is open before you? Do not refuse the free
pardon, the full salvation which Jesus grants to all
who trust Him. Do not hesitate and delay. You have
had enough of resolving - come to action. Believe in
Jesus now, with full and immediate decision. Take
with you words and come unto your Lord this day,
even this day.
Remember, O soul,
it may be now or never with you.
Let it be now;
it would be horrible that it should be never.
Again I charge you,
meet me in heaven.
How do we "come unto our
Lord this day?" Please see the Home Page feature, A
Brand New You - Part 1
and Part 2 |
