Mose was a poor colored man in a Southern city; and as the messenger of the Lord proclaimed the good news of God's salvation to a group of loiterers in the park, Mose stood unobtrusively under a shady tree and listened attentively. Never before had he heard the Gospel told so simply and plainly; and when the speaker shouted out the word of Luke 15:22And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2)—"This Man receiveth sinners"—poor Mose completely forgot himself.
With tears streaming from his eyes, and his lips trembling to express his deep feelings, he stumbled forward crying, "Massa, Massa, I falls flat on dat promise!”
Without a moment's doubt or quibbling, Mose took God at His word. Not one attempt did he make to fit himself for the presence of the holy One. He knew he was a sinner, and as such he rejoiced to find a Savior —he "fell flat," prostrate, dependent on His word and power.
How different was Mose's humble position in life to that of a prosperous merchant in that same audience! This man had been for some time deeply but secretly concerned as to his soul's welfare. What must I do to be saved? This was an ever-present question in his mind; and most assiduously was he trying to find the answer. Eagerly he gave his time and his money toward every charitable "cause," and most earnestly sought to "break himself" of every fault or habit which he could condemn. He believed that someday his very goodness in thought and deed would surely gain God's favor. Little did he take to heart the word that "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:2323And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23).
With amazement this man of good works heard the spontaneous response poor Mose made to the precious promise in "This Man receiveth sinners." Almost condescendingly he smiled at the simple and humble answer: "I falls flat on dat promise." He had not yet learned that "God is no respecter of persons," and that all must come to Him in the same way, and according to His Word.
"Ah, then," he thought, "I too must take a low place before God. That requires that, as a sinner, I also must "fall flat" before Him in order to claim His promises. But then, what must I do to be saved?”
Like an answer from the glory came the preacher's next words: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8,98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
Although he had heard this scripture many times before, it now had new meaning to this self-righteous merchant; and as simply and completely as had the humble Mose, he "fell flat" on God's precious promise, and was accepted in His beloved Son.
"Cast thy deadly doings down—
Down at Jesus' feet;
Stand 'in Him,' alone,
Gloriously complete.”