“But is it not too late?” said a distressed inquirer to a Christian; “I am condemned already.”
“Condemned, and for that reason a pardon, is the one thing you need. You are one of those to whom Jesus offers it. Suppose He were here, holding forth to you a written pardon: what would you do?”
“I would take it.”
“Dare to take it, even when you are condemned already?”
“Yes; for I should know that it was meant for me.”
“Very well,” said the Christian holding out a New Testament: “here is the written pardon, or the written assurance of it. It reads,
‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.’
‘There is therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.’ Take these offers; they are made to you. Believe them. Claim the pardon.”
She was so delighted with these truths, and so ready to accept them in faith, that she eagerly took the Testament from his hand, saying, I will take God at His word. I see what I never saw before. One may be condemned, and yet pardoned. How clear it all seems!”
ML 04/07/1918