THE CHILDREN, ATTACHED TO CHRIST

I remember, as a boy, being much impressed by reading one of the so-called 'Railway Tracts' entitled 'Is the link on? ' At that time some trains while still travelling used to 'slip' a coach for an intermediate station. One passenger, unaware of this arrangement and intending to go to the journey's end, was sitting in the slip coach. Of course he became greatly alarmed and anxious when, in due course, he saw the rest of the train continuing its way and himself left behind! The gospel message is clear. The reader of the tract could not help realising the vital need of having a living link with the Lord Jesus on the journey of life.

No doubt the maintenance of simple faith in the Person and work of the Lord answers to the 'link' referred to in the tract, as Jesus said "He that believes on me has life eternal". Faith is of itself not the power but is essential if the soul is to continue to enjoy the virtue that is in Him. The justified believer lives on the principle of faith, and his attachment to Christ is confirmed by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture even has the remark able words "he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit".

Read through the Book of Ruth and you will learn how a young woman, a stranger to Israel, came to know Boaz a great and wealthy man and type of the Lord Jesus. In speaking of Ruth it is often said that she first became acquainted with Boaz, was attracted by him, and thus became attached to him. No doubt she had heard Naomi speaking of the great kinsman. Then it was so ordered as if by chance that she should not only hear him speak of blessing to all, but heard him speak to herself personally. The Lord Jesus has become known to us in just this way. We may well feel unworthy of the interest and blessing of One so great, even as Ruth felt towards Boaz, but the soul becomes attached to Him by the very grace shown. This is pleasing to Him, are you?

J.C.Evershed