The Most Important Words

April 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Most Important Words

I remember when I was a child singing a song in Sunday School, written by Mary Slade (1826–1882), that went pretty much like this:

Into a tent where a little boy lay,
Dying alone at the close of the day, News of salvation we carried; said he, “Nobody ever has told it to me!”
CHORUS Tell it again! Tell it again! Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er, Till none can say of the children of men, “Nobody ever has told me before.”
“Did He so love me, a poor little boy?
Send unto me the good tidings of joy? Need I not perish? My hand will He hold? Nobody ever the story has told!”
Bending, we caught the last words of his breath,
Just as he entered the valley of death, “God sent His Son! – Whosoever!” said he; “Then I am sure that He sent Him for me!”
Smiling he said, as his last sigh he spent,
“I am so glad that for me He was sent!” Whispered, while low sank the sun in the west, “Lord, I believe; tell it now to the rest!”

This song came to mind while preparing this magazine, which largely focuses on last words – the words spoken just before a person dies. For many, such statements are considered to be very important. Yet, the most important words one can ever express are those from the heart in accepting God’s offer of salvation through His Son, whom He sent to die in our place. They can only be said in this lifetime. Have you truly put your trust in Him, and are you living for Him?

By Paul Alberts