Action NOW is necessary ... No Adjustments Later.

The woodsman stood by the stump of a large, tall tree which he had just felled, surveying his work with regrets. He had made no effort to investigate the nature of the terrain hidden by heavy under-brush and now found to his dismay that the tree lay in a very narrow, rocky gully which made recovery of the logs an impossibility. While the tree was standing, the woodsman had the power of decision to determine in which direction it would fall, but once it was separated from its stump, a change in its position was beyond his ability no matter how earnestly he desired it.

My friend, you are approaching the day when you will wish that you had the opportunity that is yours at this moment, but your ability to make adjustments will, like the woodsman aforementioned, be forever past. Your condition at death, saved or unsaved, must remain eternally fixed.



Many people mistakenly believe that death is annihilation (end of existence), when in reality it is separation from the soul (the real person) from the body. At the time this change takes place, an agent of either God or Satan will be on hand to make claim, according to ownership. There will be great rejoicing for those whose names have been written in the book of life, and utter sorrow and woe for the ones who have neglected or refused the way of salvation provided through Jesus Christ.

The scriptures were given by God for our admonition and they are full of warnings that death is the deadline, the end of our probationary period. There will positively be no adjustments after the soul is separated from the body. "... in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be" (Ecclesiastes 11:3).

If you are waiting for a more convenient time, be assured that it will never come, for God makes no mistakes about the time he calls. "Behold, Now is the accepted time, behold, Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15).

Some people say that they will attend to these things when they come to them but do not wish to be troubled about them now, to such let us say: You have read these lines and thereby received knowledge of the urgency of this matter. If you delay action and death overtakes you, you will die in your sins and will be accountable to God for the light that is in you. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).

If you have sufficient courage to face the facts, you will make an effort to do something about your spiritual well-being. In order to assist you, five steps necessary to obtain salvation are listed below.

1. You must be thoroughly convinced in your own mind that you are a sinner and utterly helpless to do anything to merit your own salvation. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
2. Repent, i.e., turn with sorrow from all known sin. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
3. Confess to God that you are a sinner in need of salvation and ask Him to receive you and write your name in the book of life for Jesus Christ's sake. His word says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). ".... him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
4. Believe that Jesus Christ died in your stead in order that you might have eternal life, then, in faith thank God for saving you even though you do not feel any different. You have met His conditions and are as truly under the blood protection as were the children of Israel when the angel of death passed over the land of Egypt. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Read Hebrews 11, full chapter.)
5. Fly your colours, Don't hide your profession. You are now a Christian by the grace of God. Tell others about it. You are now a Christian by the grace of God. Tell others about it. You will suffer persecution but God will make up for that by letting the peace and joy which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7) come into your heart. He will give you the joy of winning others to Him if you are faithful with your testimony.

Jesus said: "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father which is in Heaven" (Matthew 10:32).

Your confession clinches the deal, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10).

Oh, friend: We have done all that we are able in this short article to help you, but God will surely enlighten you if you will obtain a Bible and search the Scriptures diligently, for therein will be found faultless instructions in the way of life eternal. 

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" - Neil D. Cameron.

© Pilgrim Tract Society