A. E. was an old companion of mine, but as we grew up we were separated. After a few years, however, we were brought again together. On one occasion when he came to my home, on being asked as to his soul’s welfare, he said he did not know what to say—he did not feel that he was saved.
I said, “God does not ask you to feel, but to believe,” I then read with him the following scriptures:— “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom. 10:8-118But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:8‑11)). And “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)).
When we had finished reading, I said, “Now these verses show very plainly that there is nothing for the sinner to do, but to accept God’s offered salvation. Do you see it like that?”
“I see a little clearer,” he replied, “but I don’t feel saved yet.”
I then put my hand in my pocket, pulled out a tract, and said,
“Do you see this tract?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I am going to give it you, if you will accept it. Do you believe me?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you believe me?”
“Because you said so.”
“Well, take it.”
My friend took the tract.
“Have you got it?” I said.
“Yes,” he replied.
“How do you know that you have got it?” “Because I can feel it.” “Well, you did not feel it before you took it, did you?” “No.” “Now,” said I, “God offers you His salvation, and you believe that He is offering it you, but you want to feel it before you will take it, and it is impossible to do so. First take it, and then you will feel it, Do you see it now?” “I do,” he answered; “and if that’s it, I’ve got it.”
The burden was taken away from his soul; he was set free, and cried out, “Oh! how simple it is. I never saw it like that before. I have been trying to be saved for five or six months, but never knew that it was so simple.”
Dear reader, if you are trying to be saved by your own works, let me ask you to consider what the word of God says: “Not of works, lest any man should boast,” (Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)). “For by grace are ye saved through faith.”
W. T.