I sat in the front part of a room, and a young-looking priest slowly paced to and fro at the other end of it. He was the son of a man of high rank in the army. From a pious mother he had received instruction which wrought deep convictions about his soul's salvation.
"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" This scripture followed him through all his studies and travels. Tormented by it, he at length entered "the Church," not to satisfy ambition, but, if possible, to find peace of soul.
His lank form, his long face, pale and thin—his entire being—indicated suffering; and, without knowing why, I felt myself drawn to him. I remembered, as if it were but yesterday, the agony of my own heart before knowing eternal redemption. Thinking that perhaps he suffered from the same cause, I finally asked him: "Have you peace with God, my friend?"
"Peace with God!" exclaimed he. "What do you mean by peace with God?"
"It is the result," I replied, "of the known forgiveness of sins. It is like the relief and joy that would envelope the agonized spirit of a criminal condemned to death, to whom a messenger suddenly brings this message from the governor: 'All your crimes are forgiven you; go forth in peace!' "
"Then," said he, "I have not peace with God, for I have never yet received such a message from God. For nearly three years I have been imprisoned between four walls, exercising the greatest severities against myself. I have fasted; I have prayed; I have ill-treated my body until I am reduced to what you see. But I have not yet received this message from God."
"You are a sincere man," I remarked: "You are not one of those religionists who affect a godly air, and within have nothing but lust and wickedness."
"How should I not be sincere, sir, when I know that it is with God Himself I have to do? Appearance, you know, is only for this world. Reality is for eternity. A thousand times a fool is he who sees no farther than this world. For my part, it is eternity that occupies me."
"Blessed be God! Blessed be God, my dear friend! He has shown you the curse of the law of God against every breach of that law. According to Galatians 3:1010For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (Galatians 3:10), `Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.'
You are not a hypocrite, but know well that you are violating this law constantly, even in spite of yourself. So you at once apply the curse to yourself, well knowing in your conscience that you merit it."
"That is it exactly! You have just laid bare my heart. That is my state precisely. I see the just wrath of God against me, and I much desire to be able to appease or escape it."
I took out my Bible and pointed to Galatians 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13). He read: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
Suddenly his languid eyes lighted up. The message of peace had come to him through the WORD.
"Do you understand now," I inquired, "why Jesus upon the cross must needs cry out, 'My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?' "
"It is clear, quite clear," he replied. "If Christ has been made a curse for me, in order to redeem me from the curse of the law, it follows that He Himself sustained that curse. He thus becomes a substitute for me."
The heart of the young priest was evidently quite overcome. A pardon so sudden, a salvation so sure and so free, almost frightened him; he could scarcely believe himself to be in his right mind. He appeared afraid lest he wake himself up and find his anguish had been calmed only by a cruel dream—cruel because of its very sweetness.
It was not a dream. It was the truth which had set him at liberty, according to John 8:3232And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32): "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." After this he gave himself much to reading the Scriptures. His peace became more settled, and his expression of suffering gave place to one of profound rest.
My reader, are you unmoved by these things? If so, what a terrible awakening will come to you some day! Rouse yourself now while grace abounds; accept Him who stood in your stead before a holy, righteous God, and enter into the enjoyment of a peace which passeth understanding.
Let the peace of God rule in your heart.