“ARE you one of God’s people?” we inquired of a person upon whom we were calling. There was no reply given, but a peculiar expression came over the countenance of the questioned one, which seemed to say, “What are you coming to such close quarters with me for?”
“Perhaps the question is not quite comprehended,” we continued. “Are your sins forgiven?”
“I am a regular attendant at my place of worship,” was the answer.
“Yes, that is so far well, but ‘Are you saved?’”
“Some people make great professions.”
“They do, but ‘are you saved?’”
“And are very presumptuous, are they not?”
“No doubt of that either, friend, but we wish you would answer our plain questions.”
“Well, I hope I shall be saved, some day.”
“That seems to be a very presumptuous remark. True humility believes God. Upon what ground do you hope to be saved some day? There is not one syllable in His book upon hoping to be saved some day, while there are numbers of passages which tell us that we are now either lost or saved. Now let us repeat the first question, ‘Are your sins forgiven?’”
But this was too much; our friend would not pursue the conversation further, but abruptly closed it with these words: “I have told you that I go to my place of worship, that is sufficient.”
Dear reader, let this plain and pointed question receive an answer from your heart, “Are your sins forgiven?”