Do Not Perish

"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" (John 3:16). Where must a man go for pardon? Where is forgiveness to be found? There is a way both sure and plain, and into that way I desire to guide the feet of every reader of this devotion. My beloved Brother or Sister, that way is simply to trust in the Lord JESUS CHRIST as your Saviour. It is to cast your soul with all its sins, unreservedly on Christ — to cease completely from any dependence on your own works or doings, either in whole or in part — and to rest on no other work but Christ's work — no other righteousness but Christ's righteousness, no other merit but Christ's merit as your ground of hope. Take this course — and you are a pardoned soul.

The Lord Jesus Christ, with great love and compassion, has made a full and complete atonement for sin, by suffering death in our place on the cross. There, He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and allowed the wrath of God which we deserved — to fall on His own head! For our sins, He gave Himself, suffered, and died — the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty — that He might deliver us from the curse of a broken law, and provide a complete pardon for all who are willing to receive it. And by so doing, as Isaiah says — He has borne our sins. As John the Baptist says — He has taken away sin. As Paul says — He has purged our sins, and put away sin. As Daniel says — He has made an end of sin and finished transgression.

My dearest Brother or Sister, now the Lord Jesus Christ is sealed and appointed by God the Father to be our Prince and Saviour, to provide forgiveness of sins for all who will request for it. The key of eternal death in the Lake of Fire has been placed in His hands. The government of the gate of heaven is laid on His shoulder. He Himself is the Door, and by Him all who enter in shall be saved. Christ has purchased full forgiveness for the race of Adam and everyone who comes to Him with a remorseful heart for forgiveness will receive it. He has done all, paid all, suffered all that was needful to reconcile us to God. He has provided a garment of righteousness to clothe us. He has opened a fountain of living waters to cleanse us. He has removed every barrier between us and God the Father. He has taken every obstacle out of the way — and made a road by which the vilest may return to God. All things are now ready, and the sinner has only to believe and be saved, to eat and be satisfied, to ask and receive, to wash and be clean.

Who, among all the readers of this devotion, desires to be saved by Christ at this moment? Come, I beseech you! Come to Christ without delay. Though you have been a great sinner, COME! Though you have long resisted warnings, counsels, sermons, COME! Though you have sinned against light and knowledge, against a father's advice and a mother's tears, COME! Though you have plunged into every excess of wickedness, and lived without prayer, yet COME! The door is not shut, the fountain is not yet closed. Jesus Christ invites you. Christ Himself calls unto all who labour and are heavy laden (Matthew 11:28). My dear Brother or Sister, COME TO CHRIST WITHOUT DELAY! Come to Him by faith, and pour out your heart before Him in prayer. Tell Him the whole story of your life, and ask Him to receive you. Cry to Him as the repentant thief did, when He saw Him on the cross. Say to Him, "Lord save me also! Lord remember me!" COME! COME TO CHRIST NOW!

Paul Fonsi