I had been invited to dinner at the home of a man well past the threescore and ten mark. Although known as a Christian for many years, he had ideas of humility which hindered his enjoyment of "full assurance" of salvation. At the same time, his self-denying labors of love and exemplary walk would shame many advanced believers.
As he sat in his armchair during the evening, he said: "I am leaving tomorrow for an extended journey. We never know what a day may bring forth, especially at my time of life; so I have written out a few directions as to the disposal of my property, and I wish you to append your name as having witnessed my signature.”
He then read the will over to me. I was particularly struck with the concise way in which he had given expression to his wishes. There was nothing superfluous or vague, and nothing omitted. With the following words he concluded: "I wish to testify that I die trusting in the merits of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and hope I am accepted for His sake.”
"You have stated everything so clearly," I commented. "May I ask why you add, 'I hope I am accepted'? The Word of God tells us that 'He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.' And again it says: "We know [not hope] that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'" 2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1).
"Well," said he, "it is one thing for Paul the Apostle to speak thus. It would be quite another for me. I have no sympathy for those who are presumptuous enough to speak so confidently about their salvation. They must be sadly wanting in humility.”
"Friend," I replied, "if it be presumption, has not God endorsed it? Did not Christ say: 'He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.' John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). You say you trust in the merit and work of Christ, and Him alone.”
"I do," he added, "firmly believing when He said, `It is finished,' the work was fully done, and nothing can be added to it.”
"Or taken away?" I inquired.
"I see," he replied, "you do not believe in the final perseverance of the saints.”
"I believe rather," said I, "in the final perseverance of God to guard and keep His saints unto the end. If it depended upon the holiest saint of God to keep himself, it would be a sorry affair. He could not stand for half an hour. It is the perseverance of the Father in drawing all to Jesus—the perseverance of the Son and the Holy Ghost in keeping them. Is not this a firm basis on which to rest?”
"It is indeed a solid foundation," he exclaimed. "I see! I see my mistake. It is far more presumptuous to doubt God than to take Him at His word," and he struck out the word "hope," and inserted "know.”