Why Will Ye Die? by Thomas J. Cross

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 8, 1874

Why Will Ye Die?

By Thomas J. Cross

“Why sit we here until we die?” Is the language of four leprous men at the entering in of the gate of Samaria. The situation of these unfortunate men was desperate in the extreme. The disease that infected their system was incurable. No medicinal art or skill could counteract its fatal influence. Divine power alone could heal this dreadful malady. In addition to this, they were in a state of starvation. The city was besieged by the Syrians, and they were reduced to the last extremity. This being their sad condition, they say, “Why sit we here until we die? If we go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there, and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore, let us fall unto the host of the Syrians; if they save us alive we shall live.” It was the last resort, and like hoping against hope. The risk was taken, and the result was, salvation from starvation. Cautiously they approached the camp of the enemy, and to their astonishment, all is deserted; for the Lord had made them to hear a noise as of a mighty host bearing down upon them in battle array, and they start upon double quick, leaving all.

While reading this interesting Scripture narrative, a few thoughts have been suggested. And there appears to be a striking analogy between these leprous men and our fallen race—and that man is fallen and depraved, there is the most plain and conclusive evidence. Not only is this sad truth taught in the word of inspiration, but what is the testimony and experience of every candid and thoughtful man. Why our criminal codes and courts, jails and prisons. The history of our race, with comparatively few exceptions, is one of crime and rebellion against God, the rightful sovereign. True, there have been, in all ages of the world, a few tried and faithful ones, shining as beacon lights amid the gathering gloom and darkness. But the tendency of our race has been to evil ever since the first transgression that brought death into our world, “with all our woe,” and the farther we advance in the world’s history, the more powerful the tide of iniquity. The light of divine truth reveals this, that sin has been the cause of every pang that has ever wrung the human heart. How has it desolated happy and Eden-like homes, blasted the once fair character of individuals and families, and left them but a wreck of ruin and desolation.

Sin, like the leprosy, lies deep within, and infects the entire race of man. How true the words of the poet:—

“No bleeding bird, nor bleeding heart, Nor hyssop’s branch, nor springing fruit, Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, Can wash the dismal stain away.”

Is there, then, “no balm in Gilead? No physician there?” But amid the gathering gloom and darkness, when despair, like midnight pall, is gathering around us, we hear a voice from the sacred word that falls sweetly upon the wounded spirit: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “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.” Like ancient Israel, when bitten by the fiery serpents, we may look to Christ, the sin-atoning sacrifice, and live. Why sit we here then until we die? For the wages of sin is death, but “the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Who can comprehend the depth of meaning in these words? A world, yea, an eternity of importance trembles upon the final issue.

How often, when the violated law of God thunders its condemnation, and the divine claims are brought to bear upon us, we purpose, at some more convenient season, in the far-off and uncertain future, to repent, return to God, and live. But the risk is too great thus to procrastinate; for what is your life? It is like the vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. How slender and uncertain the ties that bind us to a world like this. The strong men will bow themselves; yea, the strongest will bend under the weight of years. Hence the importance of working while the day lasts, for the night is approaching when no man can work. To the finally impenitent it will be a dark night, that brings no bright and glorious morning.

We cannot afford to lay up treasure here, which the fires of the last day will consume, and by so doing forfeit our title to that glorious and immortal inheritance. Many seem to think that their chances are pretty good. But to secure ultimate ruin and condemnation it is not needful to engage in all the depths of iniquity, and to drive Jehu-like in the open field of ruin. All that is necessary is to neglect this great salvation, sit still as we are and where we are, and then at last take up the sad lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” How sad the mistake, to forfeit eternal life. Consider the infinite sacrifice made for us. Heaven has no richer, no costlier, sacrifice to give for man. Think of the humiliation and sufferings of the Son of God, and then count all things but loss compared with this. Eternal salvation will be cheap enough, if obtained at the expense of all things earthly.

THOMAS J. CROSS.