39 What Will You Do?
What Will You Do?
You have a body — and a soul. The body will soon return to its earth, and the spirit unto God who gave it. Both require attention — but the soul should have the chief concern.
What will you do as to the BODY? Will you pamper it? Will you feed and inflame its lusts — feast and gratify its depraved inclinations? Shall it have your first and best thoughts? Will you live for it, labor for it, and make the soul its drudge? This is what many do. But how will such conduct appear — when God requires the soul? How can it be justified? How can it be excused? The body ought to be valued as God’s workmanship, and to be taken care of as the soul’s temporary abode — but it ought not to engage our principal attention. It will soon be smitten with disease, it will give us pain and trouble, and then will become useless, until renovated and purified at the resurrection. It is a beautiful casketfor the soul — but it is not to be compared to the jewel it contains. It is made of very fragile material, and will soon be broken by the crude hand of death. Let us estimate its relative value, and treat it accordingly.
What will you do as to the SOUL? It is a precious jewel. It is immortal. It is capable of the highest enjoyments — or the deepest sorrows. It is sinful. It needs pardon and purification. Both may be obtained — but they must be sought. You cannot be really happy for one moment without them. God alone can bestow them. It cost the Lord Jesus his blood to procure them. You must perish eternally without them. You ought to set your heart upon them. You ought not to rest satisfied one hour without them. If you do, in that hour death may deprive you of the opportunity of obtaining them.
What will you do? Will you delay? Will you trifle? Will you neglect to secure the great salvation? Will you despise everlasting happiness? Will you dare Divine justice? Will you defy omnipotent power? Will you make up your mind to brave the tremendous wrath of the Omnipotent God? This would be worse than anything the devil ever did!
What will you do? Do think of your state, look at your danger, determine to seek salvation, and delay not one hour. Seek pardon in the name of Jesus. Seek sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Make up your mind never to rest until you obtain the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of your sins. Go at once to God, plead the name of Jesus, stay yourself upon his promise, and wrestle in earnest prayer until he say to you, "Your sins are forgiven — go in peace." The door of mercy is open, and any sinner may enter. The throne of grace is near, and any sinner may approach it. The blood of Jesus is effectual, and any sinner may prove it. The name of Jesus is a powerful plea, and any sinner may use it. Can there be any reason, then, to ask, "What will you do?" Surely you will seek and obtain salvation by the Lamb of God.