THE BEST THING IN LIFE
by Gerald B. Stanton
entury
T t is a well-known saying that the best things in life are free. The gift of life, the possession of health, the beauty of a sunset— these and innumerable other blessings are without money and without price! Likewise, God’s salvation cannot be earned or purchased. It is God’s free gift, and to accept it is to receive His highest and His best. Contrary to the opinion of many, the way of salvation is not difficult. The very fact that God has provided a means whereby all men may be saved argues logically that this salvation is meant to be understood by all. It is inconceivable that God would provide a plan for saving His creatures from their sins and then obscure the very way by which men must receive that redemption. There are, of course, many marvelous truths pertaining to God and to His dealings with men which the unsaved individual cannot comprehend (1 Cor. 2 :14). With salvation, however, it is different. In fact, the way to be saved is the only message of the Bible directed to the non-Christian. So simple is that way that even a child may come, and "wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (Isa. 35:8). For instance, take the promise o f John 10:9. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” In this vital salvation verse God speaks with the greatest clarity, yet there is hardly a word longer than one syllable. Obviously such a message is meant to be under stood. There is simplicity: "I am the door.” These words teach clearly that Christ is the only way whereby heaven may be entered. But since a door may be shut and bolted to keep men out as well as opened to let them in, those who enter not at this door will be eternally separated from His presence. There is exclusion: "By me.” No need for confusion at this point: Christ is the only door! Mohammed, Buddha, Mary Baker Eddy, Judge Rutherford and a host of other religious leaders have nothing to offer in the realm of salvation but heartache and delusion. See John 14:6, Acts 4:12 and Revelation 5:1-5 for proof that Christ is the only way to the Father. There is inclusion: "If any man.” We are invited to a Saviour who is "not willing that any should perish” (2 Pet. 3 :9 ). The Bible says that "whosoever will may come,” and "whosoever” is the greatest word God can use in inviting all men unto Himself. There is a condition: It is not enough to recognize Christ as the only door of salvation; the sinner must "enter in.” An intellectual admiration of the historical Christ will not do. Nor is it sufficient for the sinner to recognize his lost estate and to know that Christ died to pay the penalty of his sin. There must'be a moving of the will. In faith, he must enter in. The way to do this is, in prayer, to invite Christ into the heart as personal Saviour from sin. When this is accomplished, then there is certainty: "He shall be saved.” Saved from sin:—from its guilt, from its penalty and from its power! Saved and safe in Christ for all eternity! Be so definite in your acceptance of Christ that you will know you are saved. Finally, there is provision: He "shall go in and out and find pasture.” The sheep does not leave the fold but he does have liberty within it, and food in abundance. Even so the Word of God contains an abounding supply of spiritual food, both milk (1 Pet. 2:2) for the young Christian and meat (Heb. 5:12-14) for the more mature. By the study of the Word we are pointed to Christ and through that same Word we are nourished and built up in the faith. "These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son o f God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). God help you to believe and be saved and then to live for Him. To do so is the best thing in life for you! END.
natural body? By miracle it flies to heaven again, if the Papists teach truly, for how soon soever the mouse takes hold, so soon flieth Christ away and letteth her gnaw the bread. A bold and puissant mouse, but a feeble and miserable god! Yet would I ask a question: ‘Whether hath the priest or the m o u s e g r e a t e r power?’ By his words it is made a god; by her teeth it ceaseth to be a god. Let them advise and answer.” No one has described Knox’s ser mon delivery more vividly than James Melville who was a student at St. Andrews. While Knox was visiting there in an attempt to re gain his health, Melville says, “ I heard him teach there the proph ecies of Daniel that summer and the winter following. I had my pen and my little book and took away such things as I could comprehend. In the opening up of his text he was moderate for the space of half an hour; but when he entered on application he made me so to shiver and tremble that I could not hold my pen to write. He was very weak. I saw him every day of his teaching go slowly and warily, with a fur of martens about his neck, a staff in the one hand, and good, godly Richard Ballantyne, his servant, holding up the other armpit, from the abbey to the parish kirk, and by the said Robert and another servant lifted up to the pulpit, where he behooved to lean at his first entrance, but before he had done with his sermon he was so active and vigorous that it seemed as if he would knock the pulpit to pieces and fly out of it.” No wonder he captivated his hearers and drew thousands after him like a magnet. John Knox had neither radio, television nor daily n e w s p a p e r facilities; but he had the pulpit of St. Giles from which he proclaimed his Christ as the only hope. The impact of this Spirit-filled atomic preacher reformed Scotland. END.
The King's Business/May 1958
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