The Bible is full of men just the opposite who had opportunities to be
saved and embraced them.
First: Zaccheus. There was just one day, one hour, one moment; when
Jesus would pass by, and Zaccheus ran to the sycamore tree; but he made
haste and came down, and that saved him.
Second: Bartimeus. There was just a moment when Jesus was near to hear
the sound of his voice. If Bartimeus failed that moment he would be
blind forever. I can see him quickly turning his sightless eyes in the
direction of the Savior. He cried unto him and it was his earnestness
that saved him. We must make haste while yet it is to-day.
Third: Coming down from the mountain, where he had preached his great
sermon, Jesus beheld the leper. He was dead, according to the law, yet
he had a napkin bound about his mouth. If one had called to him, "Your
child is dead," he could not have gone to see the little one. But he
breaks through all of this and cries, "If thou wilt thou canst make me
clean." It was his desperation that saved him.
Fourth: Look at the dying thief, so near that he could have touched
Christ if he had been free. Here yawned before him the very brink of
hell, here was judgment for his sins, for he acknowledged that he was
justly punished. I can see him struggle to decide whether he shall
speak or not, and at last he cries, "Lord, remember me." And Jesus
said, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." It was his last
chance, and he took it. And this may be yours. God forbid that you
should let the opportunity slip away.
But whether my message is to ministers, to Christian workers, to
parents or to the unsaved, I call your attention to this fact: It was
when the soldier was busy that the prisoner escaped. Many of you have
been busy about pleasure, and some day it will mock you. You have been
caught by the fascination of business, and it does not prevent your
soul having been surrounded by sin from which after a while you cannot
escape, and if the opportunity slips away so shall our judgment be, for
we must decide it. In a few years at the latest, possibly in a few
months, perhaps in a few weeks--who knows but within a few
days?--eternity shall be upon us. If it is an opportunity that is gone
or a soul that is lost it will be a sad eternity indeed for us. To
this end may God keep us watchful.