41 What You May Be!
What You May Be!
We have inquired what you will do for the body and the soul; and what you will be at death — at judgment — and in eternity. Let us now point out what you may be — for you are capable of a mighty transformation, of a glorious elevation.
You may be wretched, miserable, and undone forever — but it is not necessary; for you may become holy, happy, and honorable throughout eternity. But you will be according to your character, and according to the course which you pursue. As intelligent creatures — as accountable beings — as living under the reign of mercy and in the land of hope — we address you.
You may be SAVED now. We know of nothing to hinder it. There is mercy with God, that he may be feared. There is merit in the sacrifice of Jesus, that it may be trusted. There is sincerity in the gospel invitation, that it may be accepted. There is veracity in the promise of God, that you may rely on it. The Lord Jesus is in office; he calls you to his feet; he promises to receive you. He has saved many such as you; he is saving some now; he will not refuse you, for he never refuses anyone who applies.
You, may be made HAPPY now. Happiness flows from grace, and grace comes from God. You cannot he made happy without becoming acquainted with God. He must pardon your sins, give you his peace, apply his Word to you, send his Holy Spirit into your heart — and then you will he happy. These blessings will satisfy the craving of your nature, and make you cheerful under all circumstances.
There is . . .
no happiness without pardon,
no pardon without the knowledge of God, and
no true knowledge of God without faith in Christ.
There is no necessity for you to he unhappy. God can make you happy, and he is willing to do so.
You may be safe and peaceful in DEATH. You may have a pure conscience, a sound judgment, a sanctified heart, and a sure prospect of eternal glory. If you seek the Lord now — if you set your affections on things above — if you make God’s glory the end of your life — and if you daily seek grace for a dying hour — then you will find that at death you will have nothing to fear; and in eternity you will have nothing to dread. The Holy Spirit will comfort you, the promises will support you, and the thought of being forever with the Lord will sweetly delight your soul. You may have a happy death-bed; for God has said, "those who honor me, I will honor."
You may be glorious in ETERNITY. Yes, you who are now so poor, so illiterate, so tried; for it does not require wealth, learning, or prosperity, to make you so. If you have only faith in Jesus — if you walk in fellowship with God — if you aim to do good to your fellow-creatures — then you will shine like the sun in the kingdom of your Father!
Many a poor mechanic is there already. Many such as you are, are now on the road. Many more will follow; for God has chosen the poor of this world, who are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. You may obtain a place in Heaven. You may acquire a fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light; for everyone who asks — receives, and he who seeks — finds.
Well, what will you be? You see what you may be; but if you neglect your salvation — if you despise your own soul — if you slight the gospel — if you prefer living in sin — you will be . . .
unhappy in life,
miserable in death, and
unutterably wretched throughout eternity!
You may be saved; but if you yield to Satan — you will be lost.
You may be happy; but if you prefer sin to holiness — you never will.
You may be peaceful in death; but if you walk according to the course of this world — you cannot be.
You may be glorious in eternity; but if you walk with the multitude in the broad road — you will be clothed with shame and everlasting contempt. My dear fellow-immortal, think of these things, pray over these things, and set your heart upon being saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation.