A young lady, just recovering from a dangerous illness, was visited by a gospel preacher. She was very weak, but, as most persons do when recovering, liked to tell how much she had suffered, and how wonderful was the preservation of her life.
Among other things, she said: "At one time I sent for my aged parents, and my beloved brothers and sisters; and took, as I thought, my last farewell of them. The doctors had given me up, and my friends expected to see me no more."
As she finished this sentence, the evangelist said: "We seldom meet a person who has been so near death as you have. Tell me, what were your feelings when you were on the verge of eternity?"
"I was happy," she replied.
"And what were your prospects?"
"I hoped to go to heaven of course."
"Had you no doubts, no fears, no suspicions?"
"None."
"Perhaps almost all hope to go to heaven. But I fear there are very few who have a good foundation for their hope. Tell me, on what was your hope founded?"
"Founded?" she replied: "why, I have never injured anyone; and I had tried to do all the good in my power. Was not this sufficient?"
"It is a delightful reflection," he said, "never to have injured anyone; and still more delightful to think of having done all the good in our power. But even this is a poor foundation for a sinner to rest upon. Was this the foundation of your hope?"
She seemed quite astonished at this question and eagerly inquired:
"Wasn't this sufficient?"
The minister did not give a direct answer, but observed:
"I am very thankful that you did not die."
"What, do you think I should not have gone to heaven?"
"I am sure you could not in the way you have mentioned. Do you not see that, according to your plan, you were going to heaven without Christ? This is what no sinner has done since Adam fell, and what no sinner will be able to do while the world stands. Be very thankful that you did not go out of life resting on this delusive foundation. The Lord Jesus says, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."
God carried these faithful words home to her soul. The light broke in and she saw for the first time her lost condition before God. And that very day in believing in the shed blood of Christ, her sins were washed away; and she had peace.
O, the peace forever flowing
From God's thoughts of His own Son,
O, the peace of simply knowing,
On the cross that all was done!
Peace with God, the blood in heaven
Speaks of pardon now to me:
Peace with God! the Lord is risen!
Righteousness now counts me free.
Peace with God through Christ in glory,
God is just and God is love;
Jesus died to tell the story,
Foes to bring to God above.