Choose Ye this Day Whom Ye Will Serve.
By A. P. Lawton
Have we made the choice? Are we serving the Lord? Can we say with the psalmist, “Oh! how love I thy law? It is my meditation all the day?” But why to-day? Because to-morrow may not be ours. If we should live many years, have we too much time in which to perfect Christian character? Are we afraid of paying too much for eternal life? But I must deny myself and make sacrifices. I have been accustomed to do about as I pleased, and these things will be crossing to me. Do you think it was no self-denial, or cross, for Jesus to leave the glory and splendor of Heaven, become poor, without where to lay his head, that we through his poverty might become rich? Think you it could be no sacrifice for the great God to consent to give his only Son to die for a race of rebels? He who was with him when the worlds were made, and when he said, Let us make man after our image? Great must have been his love toward us. Not that we loved him, but that he loved us, and manifested that love by giving his Son to die, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. Have we shown our appreciation of that gift, by coming to him? By this act he has thrown the responsibility of our salvation upon ourselves; he can be just, and yet justify the ungodly, and we be left without excuse. With this light before us, can we hesitate whom to serve? and when to begin? The undecided will say, I have about all I can do now to keep straight with the world and my business, and it will be expected of me to meet the obligations of a consistent profession of religion. What we save by denying ourselves of things hurtful to us, will more than meet increasing expenses. Thus you see we receive more than we give. But suppose we should give without receiving as much again, or expecting it? Can we not afford it? God loves the cheerful giver. A man's life consists not in the things which he possesses. Seek first the kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and all other things shall be added. The Christian is not dependent on this world for his happiness. He knows that if he lays up treasure here and is not rich toward God, it will increase his responsibility as a steward. If he has little he is therewith content. His Father knows what he needs, and more might be a burden and a weight in his Christian course. I have often felt that I would be glad to be able to respond to every call to send these truths to the inhabitants of earth. God knows best to whom to commit earthly treasures. The cattle upon a thousand hills are the Lord's, and he is not dependent upon me for means to carry forward his work; but if I refuse to do what I can, I shall suffer the loss, and the work will move on without me. God can do well without me, but I can not do without him and his protecting care. Those who refuse to serve God have heavy crosses to bear, galling chains to wear, and an accusing conscience, without strength from above and the comforting hope which pure religion always brings. If the Christian has tribulations, he rejoices in them, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in the heart. The earth will be dissolved, and the works burned; but the love of God abides forever. It is a tree of life, which the fire cannot wither. It is a fortress, a strong tower, into which the righteous may flee and be safe. The Lord encampeth round about his saints. He esteems them as the apple of his eye, and gives his angels charge concerning them. Who dare run the fatal risk of neglecting this proffered aid? Can we measure arms with Omnipotence, and save ourselves? But it is humiliating. Admit it; but will our proud hearts not allow us to take some humble part in our own salvation? Christ is our benefactor and saviour. Are we willing that he alone should bear all the humiliation. Can there be no yielding on our part? The condition is, Son, give me thine heart. Have we done this, and done it cheerfully? Jesus says, Ye will not come to me that ye might have life. Everything is ready, and the invitation has gone forth. Will we accept the condition and come to-day?