An evangelist had been holding gospel meetings in a large town. The Lord had saved many souls there, and others were evidencing concern about their sinful condition. As the preacher visited in their homes one afternoon, he met a young woman who for some time had been in a state of the deepest anxiety.
Many had spoken to her about her soul's difficulties. She had attended meetings to hear the gospel preached, but still she was undecided. At times she wondered if her mind might give way under such severe stress.
On that afternoon, seeing the preacher coming to the door of her house, she invited him in. He had just come from visiting another young lady who was also in great anxiety about her eternal future. In the course of the conversation he happened to mention this.
"Oh, indeed, sir, I can sympathize with any one like that," his hostess observed. "I have been for several months in a similar state. If I could only know that I am saved my mind would be at peace."
"And so it may at once," he replied; "for Christ has died and risen, and God offers salvation freely to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. How do you expect to be saved?" he added. "Is it by doing good works, by praying, or by getting better?"
"No," she said, "I cannot get better, and my poor works would never save me."
"Then do you believe that God is willing to save you as you are, in your sins, helpless, vile, and ungodly?"
"Yes, I believe He is willing to save me just as I am."
Then she related how God had been showing her what she was in His sight. She had been praised by acquaintances for her natural talents, and had been proud of herself in some respects; but she was now convinced that in God's sight she was only a poor, lost sinner, and that the best she had to offer was altogether as vanity.
"Well," he said, "if you know yourself to be lost and vile, and that God is willing to save you while in that condition, what is there to hinder you from believing the gospel, and being saved?"
"I don't know," she replied; "but I can't feel saved; and I would be dreadfully afraid to meet God."
"Tell me plainly, now," he questioned, "what do you think your salvation depends upon?"
"I believe," she said, "that my salvation depends upon my acceptance of the work of Christ."
This reply would to many believers have probably appeared quite sound, but it struck the evangelist that the answer would account for this woman's deep distress.
"Ah," he said, "no wonder that you have no peace, such being your idea."
She seemed astonished, and he continued: "No, your salvation does not depend upon your acceptance of the work of Christ, but upon your believing that God has accepted the work of Christ as a full and complete satisfaction for all your sins from beginning to end."
Her expression suddenly changed as though a flash of light from above had entered her soul. She gazed at him inquiringly. He continued, "It is the creditor that is to be satisfied, is it not?"
"Certainly," she replied. "Thank God for making it all so clear to me now. I see it all so plainly. I never looked at it in that way before. I have been thinking whether I accepted Christ properly or not, whether I believed aright, whether I had the right faith. Sometimes I thought I was saved, and then again I doubted it. I could not get peace."
Yes, dear reader, God is satisfied with Jesus, and the mighty work He has accomplished for His own glory and for the eternal blessing of the sinner who, by faith, rests on it for salvation. Indeed, God is satisfied. How can you not be satisfied as well?