Some years ago there lived in our town two men who had become neighbors. One of them who had been living some years there invited his new neighbor to supper in order to become better acquainted with him. The older resident was a Christian and delighted in leading others into blessing.
During the meal the conversation ran on different subjects. As they arose from the table, the Christian asked his neighbor if he believed on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The neighbor replied: "Why yes, certainly I believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't think I'm a heathen, do you?”
"Well, you can rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation; you are saved?”
At this question the neighbor answered, rather indignantly: "No one can tell that while in this world—not till we pass out of it shall we know for sure. I have heard of people who said they knew! I look upon that as the height of presumption and downright cant. All we have to do is the best we can, and God will do the rest.”
"Oh, then you make God a liar," the Christian answered.
"Where do you get that?" asked the neighbor in astonishment.
The Christian, taking his Bible, read 1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10): "He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar." Then reading on down to the 13th verse, he came to these words: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God," (stretching out his hand toward his friend as identifying him with the confession he had made, he read on), "that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”
The neighbor stood for a moment apparently amazed. Then, very deliberately and with much earnestness he stated: "Well, I am saved now!”
Thus in an instant God's Word had sent light into his soul, and he received assurance of salvation.
"The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.”
He afterward said: "These words bring me into the very presence of God—enclose me, so to express it, within a fence of pure and unadulterated truth from which there is no escape—God's own words. I will not, I dare not, withdraw the confession I have made of believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; and now I dare not say I have not eternal life, for I would thus 'make God a liar' as declared in 1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10). That I surely fear to do. Therefore there is no alternative but to accept God's gracious gift, eternal life, the assurance of which He has placed on record in that wonderful eleventh verse of this wonderful chapter.”
Reader, do you believe God?