immortal soul, and desires salvation. They describe the conversion and experience of one of Christ's earliest disciples. We too are all by nature bom in sin, and need conversion. Let us see what we know of the mighty change. Let us compare our own experience with that of the man whose case is here described, and by comparison learn wisdom.
We are taught, in this passage, the power of Christ^ a calling grace. We read that our Lord called a publican named Levi to become one of His disciples. This man belonged to a class who were a very proverb for wicked- ness among the Jews, Yet even to him our Lord says, " Follow me.'* — ^We read furthermore, that such mighty influence on Levi's heart accompanied our Lord's words, that although '' sitting at the receipt of custom," when called, he at once '4eft all, rose up, followed" Christ, and became a disciple.
We must never despair of any one's salvation, so long as he lives, after reading a case like this. We must never say of any one that he is too wicked, or too harden- ed, or too worldly to become a Christian. ]!^o sins are too many, or too bad, to be forgiven. No heart is too hard or too worldly, to be changed. He who called Levi still lives, and is the same that He was 1800 years ago. With Christ nothing is impossible.
How is it with ourselves ? This, after all, is the grand question. Are we waiting, and delaying, and hanging back, under the idea that the cross is too heavy, and that we can never serve Christ ? Let us cast such thoughts away at once and for ever. Let us believe that Christ can enable us by His Spirit to give up all, and come out
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148 EXPosrroRT thoughts.
from the world. Let us remember that He who called Levi never changes. Let ns take up the cross boldly, and go forward.
We are taught, secondly, in this passage, that convemon 18 a cause of joy to a true believer. We read, that when Levi was converted he ''made a great feast in his own house." A feast is made for laughter and merriment. (Eccles. X. 19.) Levi regarded the change in himself as an occasion of rejoicing, and wished others to rejoice with him.
We can easily imagine that Levi's conversion was a cause of grief to his worldly friends. They saw him giving up a profitable calling, to follow a new teacher from l^azareth! They doubtless regarded his conduct as a grievous piece of folly, and an occasion for sorrow rather than joy. They only looked at his temporal losses by becoming a Christian. Of his spiritual gains they knew nothing. And there are many like them. There are always thousands of people who, if they hear of a relation being converted, consider it rather a misfortune. Instead of rejoicing, they only shake their heads and mourn.
Let us, however, settle it in our minds that Levi did right to rejoice, and if we are converted, let us rejoice likewise. If othing can happen to a man which ought to be such an occasion of joy, as his conversion. It is a far more important event than being married, or comiog of age, or being made a nobleman, or receiving a great fortune. It is the birth of an immortal soul ! It is the rescue of a sinner from hell ! It is a pas8£^ from death to life ! It is being made a king and priest &r ever- ,more ! It is being provided for, both in time and eternity !
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