AT an out-of-the-way country village in Cumberland Mr. C—, a well-known preacher of the gospel, was holding forth the word of life in the village schoolroom. One of the villagers who attended the meetings was the wife of an ungodly and careless man, who never thought of his soul's deep need.
One Sunday afternoon the preacher had been dilating on the certainty of the knowledge of salvation. During his discourse he laid emphasis on the word hath by repeating it over several times in succession in the hearing of his audience. He reminded them that it occurs several times in the Bible, and the Spirit of God often used it in sheering those who honestly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that they have everlasting life, and that God who has said it really means what He says.
For instance we read, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)). But he said there are others equally as plain:—"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation.; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). And, again, Jesus said:—"He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)).
These and other texts were quoted to show that the weakest believer on Christ possesses eternal life. The villager's wife, who was listening to every word, soon began to learn that although she was a decent, upright and respectable person, she had no assurance of salvation. She became thoroughly awakened to a sense of her need, and went home, but could not rest, and finally in her distress, she sent a message asking the preacher to kindly call round and see her, which he did.
He found her in her cottage home, which she always kept beautifully clean and tidy. She confessed how unhappy she had been for several days, and asked, if there was any hope for her?
Mr. C— at once assured her there was, for the Lord Jesus can save "to the uttermost" all who "come unto God by Him" (Heb. 7:2525Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)). He explained to her the gospel. First, how God had declared: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)). Secondly, how that Christ went to the cross, and there suffered the penalty and the punishment due to our sins, and died that we might have life. He suffered "the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). And that if we only would but believe on Him we might be sure that we have everlasting life, for the word of God says, He that believeth hath, so that it is clear that the believer is in possession of everlasting life, and is at once a child of God. "To them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)).
“Oh! Mr. C—" she said, "it is that word hath that has been running through my mind all the time. I could not sleep for it. I thought I could hear you repeating the words, He that believeth hath, hath, hath everlasting life.' Then have I only to believe what God says," she inquired? Mr. C- assured her that that was all she had to do.
Mr. C— left her, praying that the light of His truth might come into her dark soul. After Mr. C— left, she went into the adjoining room where she knelt down and said, "Now Lord, if Thou sayest I have everlasting life I'll believe it." When speaking of this afterward she said, “I committed myself to Christ and I thought I heard His gentle voice saying, Woman, thy sins are all forgiven, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace ' "(See Luke 7:47, 5047Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47)
50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:50)).
“Ho! Mr. C—,"she added," it was that word, hath, that did it. It brought peace and blessing to my soul. Hath, HATH, everlasting life.”
It was soon evident that the Spirit of God had done the work in her soul. The villagers saw the change and many of them wished, only they were too proud to admit it, that they possessed the peace which she so much enjoyed, all brought about by simply taking God at His Word. Are you saved? If not, why not, seeing it is so plain. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, do it now, and, God's Word for it, you have everlasting life.
“O, wand’ring souls, why will ye roam
Away from God, away from home?
He knocks, He calls, He waiteth still:
Oh! come to Him, whoever will.”
J. W.