A SHORT time ago I overtook an old man who was wending his way home after his day’s toil. Having offered him a gospel book, which he accepted thankfully, I asked him if he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, to which he replied in a trembling voice, “Aye, young man, I have believed on Him for many years.”
In course of conversation I remarked that it was a blessed thing to know that believers have all their sins forgiven, and that they shall not come into judgment, when his face became grave while he remarked, “Ah, but we must be careful; if we were sure of having our sins forgiven as you say, it would make us careless in our walk.”
Upon further conversation I found that although doubtless he had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet he had not settled peace with God. He thought it not only necessary to believe, but also that his salvation depended upon his walk, and that unless he endured to the end he would finally be lost. But if we give heed to God’s Word we need not be in doubt as to the future. This poor man was sincere in his desires, and how many more are in a similar condition of soul, yet there is no uncertainty in the words of the Lord Jesus―
“Verily, 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 5:2424Verily, 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)).
Mark, it says, “He that heareth My word, and believeth.” It is not to him that heareth and worketh, for righteousness is imputed on the principle of faith alone. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5))— “not of works lest any man should boast.”
Do you, dear reader, believe on God as the One who has sent Jesus into the world? If so, listen to the blessed results—
“Hath everlasting life.”
“Shall not come into condemnation.”
“Is passed from death unto life.”
Do you say in your heart, how can these things be? It is because “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). The blood that made atonement has been shed; without the shedding of that blood there could have been no remission or forgiveness; but if now you receive Jesus as your Saviour, that is by believing on Him, the word to you is, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
On the other hand, God says, “He that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:1616He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)). Jesus has glorified God upon the earth, He has finished the work that God had given Him to do, therefore God has raised Him from the dead, and has exalted Him to His own right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins. (Read Acts 5:3131Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31).)
Reader, you are either saved or lost, either under the shelter of the blood, or the wrath of God abides upon you. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
Which is it? Saved or lost?
H.G. M