THE SACRIFICE IS TOO GREAT.
By M. A. Whalen
OFTEN, when the claims of God’s truth are presented to souls, and they are made to feel their force, the first thought is, I must obey, for God speaks. But immediately the enemy comes, magnifying the obstacles and difficulties in the way, at the same time holding up the world in its most attractive light; and oh! how careful he is to conceal all its hideous ugliness! The way he presents looks broad and easy; the other, the one the Lord has marked out, narrow, steep, and rugged; and thus deceived people turn away from the truth, feeling the sacrifice too great. If such could only realize the mighty power of God to save at this time, this deception would lose its force, and the cross which seems so heavy they would find to be light, proving the truth of the Saviour’s words, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Or, it may be the truth has been accepted and they have been trying for some time to walk in its light; but just now has come a test they feel they cannot bear, and they say, It costs too much; I can go no farther, and so they cast away their confidence, and draw back unto perdition. Now, let us think for a moment what it does cost to serve the Lord. Is there one power of our being or one treasure of earth that we have gotten unto ourselves by any might or wisdom of our own? No; there is none. This life, which seems to us so precious, too precious to serve God in, was purchased by the sufferings of the Son of God. This time, these talents, powers, affections, are all God-given; and yet when he asks for that which is simply his own, we cry out, It is too much, Lord. What robbery is this! and what a terrible delusion is upon the soul, when the attractions of this world look greater than those of God’s truth and work! Then away with the thought of sacrifice. That was made more than 1800 years ago, when the Saviour cried, “It is finished,” and bowed his head in death, thereby opening the way for guilty man to recover his lost innocence, and to gain an entrance into the everlasting kingdom. What love was this! What blinded and hardened hearts are those that can resist such love! O soul, think of the agonies of Gethsemane, and then, in trembling and amazement, be afraid to reject this great salvation. Dear reader, wherever you are, under whatever circumstances you may be placed, if this is the decision you are about making, or have made, let me entreat you to think well, think well. The day will come when you will know what this sacrifice means, but it will then be too late. It means the sweetness of life departed; and instead of peace and joy resulting from a consciousness of duty performed, a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. It means thrust out of the city of God; numbered with the filthy and unjust; never to know the sweet companionship of Christ, the angels, the pure and holy redeemed from the earth. It means all lost, the world is lost, wrested away, destroyed by the wrath of God. Heaven is lost. Nothing is left but the awful curse, Depart; ye knew your duty, but ye did it not. In a word, it means the bitter, bitter loss of the soul. Millions will make this sacrifice. Shall I make this sacrifice? Dear reader, will you make it? This decision is for us to make.