HAY MACDOWALL GRANT, the Laird of Arndilly estate, Banffshire, was a devoted Christian worker and successful soul-winner. "Instant in season, out of season," described the man. He seemed to be constantly on the outlook for opportunities of reaching the unsaved with the "glad and glorious Gospel.”
On one occasion, whilst visiting an old woman who had a reputation over the countryside for being "very religious," he found, in the course of conversation, that, like many others, she was trying to work out a righteousness of her own in which to appear before God. He sought to strip her of her profession by showing her that in God's sight all her righteousness was but "filthy rags" (Isaiah 54. 6), and that if she wished to be saved she must come to Christ without any other qualification than that she was a sinner, and needed a Savior. As her eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit to see her sin and folly in seeking to merit God's pardoning mercy by her own doings, big salt tears ran down her cheeks, and in piteous accents she exclaimed: "Eh, sir, do you mean to tell me it MAUN A' GANG FOR NAETHING?
"Well," said the Laird of Arndilly, "you have to choose between your own righteousness and the righteousness of God's providing; you cannot rest on both.”
Nothing was said by either for a few moments. During the interval Mr. Macdowall Grant breathed a prayer to God on behalf of the awakened soul. At last, with a look of determination on her countenance, she cried aloud: "OH, GOD! IT SHALL A' GANG FOR NAETHING." There and then she believed on the Lord Jesus, and was saved for Eternity. Her changed life proved the reality of her conversion.
Multitudes of people like the old Scotchwoman are trying to work, pray, or pay their way to heaven, not having learned their hopeless, helpless condition so far as human effort is concerned. They strive and struggle to earn the favor of God, forgetting or ignoring the fact that He "requireth that which is past.”
If you know that you are a guilty sinner, unable to do anything to save yourself, there is good news for you. At an infinite cost—the cost of the life's blood of God's beloved Son—salvation has been provided, and is now pressed on your acceptance as a free gift. Remember, however, it is all of grace from first to last. Our doings can never atone for the past. If they had any part whatever in procuring for us forgiveness, salvation would not be all of grace. If you are trying to reach heaven by "doing your best,'' ponder the Savior's dying words:" IT IS FINISHED “(John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)). The work that saves was accomplished by Him nearly 1900 years ago. By virtue of that glorious atonement God can righteously justify ungodly sinners who believe on Christ.
Cease all efforts of your own to purchase that which can only be obtained through simple faith in Christ's finished work.
"Jeans paid the ransom, and salvation is free." A.M.