Plain Speaking!

Francis Bourdillon, 1873
 

Plain speaking is the best kind of speaking, especially for plain people. If I met you in a strange place and you asked me the way — I would tell you the different turnings you were to take as plainly as I could; for you would not thank me if I were to say a great many fine words to you, and yet not make the way plain. And if I saw you were going the wrong way — then certainly I should tell you so plainly enough.

In this chapter I wish to speak to you plainly about your soul. I do not know you. But I know that millions of so-called Christians are not in the right way as to their souls, and I think it likely that some such will read what I am writing.

Perhaps you are such a person. If you are not in the right way —  then you are in the wrong way; for there are but two ways.

The wrong way leads to everlasting misery. If you are in the wrong way, this is what you are going to. If you go on as you are — then you are forever lost. It takes but a moment to read these words, but how solemn they are! Think! Think seriously and honestly. How are you living? What are you doing? What does your way seem to you, when you look closely at it? Is it the right way — or wrong? Is it the way of life — or the way of death? Let conscience speak.

There is One who pities all who are in the wrong way, cares for them, and calls them. He does so to you. At this moment He pities you. By these very words He calls you. His name is Jesus. He died for sinners, for those who were out of the right way. Nothing but His dying for them, could bring them back. He died for sinners, and He is still full of compassion and love. He knows all that you are doing, and sees how you are living. He has known it all along — yet He pities you and is willing to save you. He calls you to come to Him. He will not turn you away, because you have gone astray so long. He will receive you kindly and forgive you and set you in the way of eternal life. I know not who you are; but this I say boldly, that He will be your Savior, if you will come to Him.

Ah! Come to Him. Come now. Sin is ruinous! Time is short! Eternity draws on apace! It is a fearful thing to be in the wrong way. There is no repentance in the grave, no turning when once the end is reached. God is gracious and longsuffering; Jesus is mighty to save. As you love your own soul, as you desire to be saved, as you would escape an end more dreadful than words can describe — come, come to Jesus! He is the only way, the only Savior.

Lift up your heart to God, and say, "O God, I am a sinner. Blot out my sins in my Savior's blood. Give me Your Holy Spirit. Make my heart new, and turn me unto Yourself. Forgive me — bless me, and save me, for Jesus Christ's sake!"