The Life Sentence by Grace L. Thomas

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 24, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 20.

The Life Sentence

By Grace L. Thomas

WHEN first I heard of a man's being sentenced to prison for life, it seemed very terrible to me. The man was strong, ambitious to do good, but in a fit of anger he had killed a fellow laborer; and the law was inexorable. Many hours I sat thinking of that blasted life. He had wept, he repented his rash act; but to prison he went, there to reap the retribution of his deed. The prison-bars, the loneliness, the isolation, and the hard manual labor, were his for life.

Awful thought! but there comes a brighter one. This man who transgressed the law could repent. Even tho he was shut out of the liberty of this life, there awaits him, in the beyond, a haven of rest. And the years spent within the lonely prison walls may only lead out some sweet day into the valleys that blossom as the rose. The civil law could not rely upon his repentance. Possibly he was sincere, but human eyes can not read the heart. Yet there is One who is able; and even tho men can not let him pass blameless, He will cleanse to the uttermost.

But what of the man who cares not for eternity? The One altogether lovely, who has endowed him with senses to enjoy this life — is He not entitled to recognition? Some one says: "Well, I don't know that I owe any one anything. I merely grew as do the trees and flowers." Do you know this to be true? Have you investigated His Word?

"No; but I know that 'Word' you have reference to, is just a lot of facts that have happened. Never have read it; but what's the use?" There will come a time when an eternal sentence will be passed by Him who is long-suffering. The Father, the great I AM, has given us every possible demonstration of His love. Even without a record, we must feel the power that lets us live, and breathe, and think. Then with this record we can trace event after event that has occurred. Even to the very day, God has told us of some events that have happened; still some do not care to look. Some do not want to know. There is no sin so black but that our Saviour, at our first sign of repentance, is ready and longing to take us to Himself. He is ever ready to forgive and comfort. The One who is often reviled, rebuked at every turn, is ever ready to say, "Come to Me."

And instead of meriting an eternal life sentence, can't you hear the pleading in that voice: "O, My people, My people, why will you not choose the right! I have done all I can do for you, and I am now giving you life. Won't you come to Me and have eternal joys?"

Yes; far sadder than the sight of the prisoner will be the sentence given by the Judge over all; one that can never be revoked, never recalled, and a sentence that, instead of a few brief years, means forever; and tho barred by iron doors, enthralled in sin, if we will repent, the glories of infinity are awaiting us.