Please regard this as a personal appeal. You must meet God. Are you ready? In comparison with this question all others sink into utter insignificance; before it all other problems pale. You may be successful in business, brilliant in your profession, and healthy in your body and mind; you may be religious and respected by your friends, but "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). This is the solemn unanswered question of Scripture.

To be ready to meet God requires a new birth. Have you been born again? This is more than success, more than health, more than religion, more than respectability. These may all be present and the essential new birth unknown. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This statement is unequivocal. It cannot be evaded. It was uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ. The necessity for the new birth arises from the fact that as born into this world we all spring from a sinful stock, we all are sinners. This effectually bars fellowship with God. Sin is contrary to the nature of God. He hates it. He is "of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity" (Habakkuk 1:13).

While God hates sin, He loves sinners, whether they tread the clean or filthy side of the broad road. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's judgment on sin fell upon Christ on the Cross, and there is cleansing and forgiveness for all who believe on Him. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). Thus by new birth, by receiving Christ, by believing He died for my sins, I am born into the family of God, and can answer the question, "Are You Ready?" with a glad and confident, "Yes!"

Have you known this change? Have you experienced this new birth? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? Do not resent these personal questions. Put the matter to the test. Do it now. The terms are simple: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36). Will you receive Him, the living Christ of God who died, rose again, and now offers salvation to all who believe on Him? Will you trust Him now as your very own Saviour? It is not the reception of a creed, or identification with a sect, or becoming a religious person that saves. It is the acceptance of a Person, the Son of God. Your acceptance or rejection of Him answers the solemn question, "Are You Ready?"

—L.W.G.A.