LIFE'S MOST TRAGIC MISTAKE

Chronicle (Levin), 7 August 1946, Page 4

LIFE'S MOST TRAGIC MISTAKE

MR. C. C. GRAHAM' S ADDRESS Many natibns and people have made terrible mistakes, and in some cases they would give almost anything if they could remove the consequences of their folly or illjudgment. But the most tragic mista,ke of any life is to reject God's great salvation, said Mr. C. C. Graham, evangelist, in the Oxford Street Gospel Hall on Sunday evening last. Hebrews 2 says, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" There can be no escape from the eternally sad consequences of neglecting the salvation which God has provided ' ". , us in the person of the Lord Jeu Christ.

It is a "great" salvation for three reasons. Firstly, because of its infinite cost. God's only Son was given and His life sacrificed upon the Cross for the sins of men. No greater price could have been paid, but because sinful man needed salvation God's love permitted such a sacrifice. It is also "great" because of the way in which it was purchased. If it had been purchased by an angel, that would have been wonderful, or if by Moses or one of the prophets, then we could be compelled to accept it or perishr Hebrews 10 tells us, "He that defied Moses' law diqd . . . of how much more severe punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God." Lastly, it is "great" because of what it brings -to the individual who accepts it. Immediately his sins are forgiven. He has peace with God, for God now reckons his sins as transferred to Jesus, and man the offender can therefore go free. As a result he has joy and true happiness in his heart. He has a new purpose in life and longs for others to receive this salvation, which though provided at infinite cost to God, is a free gift.to any man who will receive it. (Rom. 6; 23). . The speaker then asked his audience if they knew of anything better or more worth while than this great salvation. Could anything else in this world, even with all its pleasures and thrills, give to the individual present, let alone the eternal benefits, of this salvation? The reason for not accepting it was because we didn't recognise our need of it. A man would look sideways if offered a lifebelt in the hall, but if to-morrow he were drowning he would grab the lifebelt with both hands — because he felt his need of it. If God hung a card round our necks and wrote on it the ten worst things we had done, how ashamed we would be to walk down the street. We would see our need of a saviour who had died for those ten and all the other sins committed, and gladly receive Him.

We must remember too, said the speaker, that this "great salvation" is the only salvation God has for us. If we accept it we will be saved; if we don't, then we will perish in our sins and shall not escape the judgment and the lost eternity to follow. God has provided this salvation for us, and if we won't have it and try to get to heaven some other way, what more can God do for us? We can blame no one else but ourselves if we never see heaven. Lastly, said the evangelist, in order to miss the salvation we do not have to positively refuse it, or become blasphemers. All that is necessary is to "neglect" it. There are very few who would throw the salvation in God's face, but there are millions who are neglecting it and passing into a lost eternity. A patient who has5 been given medicine prescribed by the doctor as the only cure of his disease, does not have to refuse to take it or abuse the doctor in order to die. He need only neglect to take it and his death would bq certain. Yet people to-day are doing.this very thing with God's salvatioh. "To-night," said 5'the preacher, "God requires you to do one of three things with His salvation — reject it, neglect it, or accept it. May He grant you wisdom to confess your need to Him and thankfully receive the salvation He freely offers you. None yet have regretted making such a step, but millions are now rejoicing that they did." To-night's subject is "A choice that will bring untold blessing." Thursday's meeting in the Weraroa Hall will be of an unusual nature. Mr. Graham will be asked questions about difficulties and problems in the Bible, etc. The audience will be the jury and anyone who desires their questions ' answered are invited to bring them to the meeting.