Some years ago two business men, between whom a warm friendship existed, met for the first time in many months. To each it was a pleasure to grasp the other’s hand and to learn of his health and welfare. One was a French-Canadian, fairly well up in years and a man highly esteemed; the other, also no longer young, was the head of a business which, under his fostering care, had attained a leading position in its line in a city of a million people. Early in life this man had been converted; He longed to lead others to the Savior he knew and trusted. He had marked ability in presenting the Gospel in public addresses and personal conversations and, through these gifts, had been used for many conversions.
As the two men were about to part, he said to his French-Canadian friend: “You and I are getting to be old men now. We cannot expect to live much longer in this world, What about the future”? The answer was prompt and confident: “For me all is well. I have no fears for the future.”
Struck by the quiet assurance of these words, he was asked: “How is it that you have no fear of. death? What do you build your hopes upon?” The reply was:― “If you can give me a few minutes, I shall tell you the whole story. Some years ago, I realized that, in the sight of God, I was a sinner indeed. I dreaded death and did not know I how my fears could be overcome. I went to I my Parish Priest and told him just how I felt. The load of sin weighed always upon me and I longed for relief. He advised me to perform certain penances. I did so faithfully, left nothing undone that he had recommended, but when all the penances were finished, I had to tell him that the load of sin was there, just as before, and that I was not any easier in my mind. He prescribed further penances―double as many as at first, and I followed his directions exactly. When all had been performed I had to tell him once more that they had given me no relief. The fact that I was a, sinner in the sight of God still weighed heavily upon me.
“The priest was puzzled and said: ‘I can do no more for you, but you might go to the Jesuits’ church and ask for a certain priest’, whom he named, ‘perhaps he can help you’. I went to the Church, found the priest mentioned and to him I told my story, told of the sense of sin and of my fruitless efforts to get relief. He heard me patiently and when I had finished said: ‘My son, you are trying the wrong way altogether, nothing that you can do can put away your sin. There is only one remedy “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin” ―He died upon the Cross for us and bore our sins in His own body there. Put your trust in Him, for from Him alone can you get help.’”
“Ever since then I have put my trust in Him―that load of sin is all gone and now I know that, even if death should come, I have nothing to fear.”
A man must have great confidence to make such a statement as this. Is he right in doing so? Can a sinful human creature know that his sins are forgiven because he trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Perhaps the surest and safest way to answer this question will be to see what the Bible tells us of the Lord Jesus in whom this man found rest of heart and conscience. In the first chapter of the Gospel by John we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made ... The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory―the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
When our first parents yielded to the wiles of Satan, who came to them in the form of a serpent, they sinned against God and they lost that abode of peace and innocence in which God had placed them, but even then God gave the promise “The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.”
Down through the ages we find man constantly rebelling against God and reaping as he sowed, but on the part of God we find unfailing grace. God did not leave Himself without witnesses for He sent prophet after prophet, inspired by the Holy Ghost, to rebuke men for their sins―to put before them the right way and also to foretell the coming of Jesus Christ.
In the 53rd Chapter of Isaiah (one of these prophets) we read: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:― the chastisement of our Peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed:― All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
When the time appointed of God had come and Jesus, as had been foretold by the prophets, was born of the Virgin Mother in Bethlehem―an angel brought the message to the shepherds. “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” About thirty years later as Jesus came up from the waters of baptism, the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape as a dove upon Him and a Voice from Heaven testified “Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.”
Then followed those years of ministry summed up in the few words― “He went about doing good―healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.” He, the divine Son of God, revealed to men the love that was in God’s heart towards them. The Creator of the universe was found in fashion as a man―humbled Himself―became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross. He who knew no sin was made sin for us―bore that load on the Cross of Calvary and, when all that was prophesied was fulfilled, He said: “It is finished” and yielded up His Spirit to God. Thus, even in dying, He manifested His divinity―no mere man could dismiss his spirit―but the Lord Jesus could and did for He was God as well as man.―Then when the third day had come He rose triumphant from the grave. He had been “delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.” The Apostle Peter writes “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold―but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” While on earth our Lord had given the invitation “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
He said also “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” He is true to this promise. His work is perfect―it met the just claims of God’s righteousness and meets our every need.―In the epistle of John we read― “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
These scriptures surely answer our question and make it clear that if we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can with holy boldness say our sins are put away―because He bore them on the Cross of Calvary.
And now, dear reader, were that question put to you “What about the future?” How would you answer it? Could you say as the French Canadian merchant did, “I have no dread of the future,” and give the same sound reason, “for I am trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
If such is not the case with you, do not delay! Now is the day of salvation! Take the Lord Jesus now for your own Savior. This day of grace is fast coming to its close. Do not shut your ears and your heart to His invitation, “Come unto Me.” The word of God tells us the solemn truth. “It is appointed unto men once to die and after death the judgment.”
Think what it would be for all Eternity to have to say “He offered me a full free Salvation, but I scorned His offer and now am lost forever.” May God deliver you from such a fate. May He lead you now to real faith in His Blessed Son, who loves us and gave Himself for us.
Why Was the Epistle of John Written?