How sublime is the order and description given here of the path followed by the soul who, in faith, turns to Christ! It begins with one who hears, in faith, the “word of truth” of the gospel. Then, by faith (and that very faith is itself, an undeserved gift see Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)) the soul is given to believe in the One of whom it has heard. And then, upon believing, the Holy Spirit seals that soul in Christ, and salvation is a known and enjoyed reality. The saved soul can “go in peace,” assured of its acceptance in Christ.
We have a lovely picture of this in the despised, outcast Jewess of Luke 7. The actions of the woman “which was a sinner” as she stands at the feet of the blessed Lord Jesus weeping, displaying her heartfelt affection for Him, anointing His feet with oil, and laying aside all her “glory” (wiping His feet with the hairs of her head), are a proof of the reality of that work of repentance in her heart.
Then the blessed Lord Jesus completes that work begun in her soul. In verse 47 He first says to the unbelieving Pharisee, “I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven.” And thus it is that this repentant sinner hears that “word of truth, the gospel of [her] salvation.”
In verse 48 the Lord Jesus turns to the woman and says, “Thy sins are forgiven.” He makes the gospel personal speaks personally to her and she believes what she has heard spoken by Him.
But the unbelieving, who were with the Lord at the Pharisee’s table, also hear this “word of truth.” Rather than believing, they reason. The flesh, lusting “against the Spirit” (Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17)), always reasons can never, and will never, accept His Word in faith.
Jesus then speaks a further word to her heart, sealing that which she had by faith heard and believed: “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
This condition of peace is the normal condition into which God desires to bring each redeemed soul. What joy and liberty is thus available to each dear child of God who by faith has heard His precious Word and has believed what it has heard. Thus sealed by the Spirit, the believer goes forth in the peace and confidence of a known relationship with the Father. May it be so with each one today who has believed the Word of truth!
Ed.