A SERVANT of the Lord was returning home one fine summer’s evening, and, having occasion to travel by omnibus, sought an opportunity of speaking with the driver about eternal things. This driver had been ill, and off duty fora few days, which gave our friend the opportunity to inquire as to his bodily ailment. “Are you better? I heard you were ill,” said he.
In response the driver said he was obliged to come out sooner than was right; adding, “and, you see, sir, I do not get the care I used.... Well, certainly, I have a daughter!”
“Oh, you mean that you have lost your wife?”
“Yes; that’s it, sir.”
“It is well to leave this world if we go to be with Christ. On what ground do you think we reach heaven?”
“Well, I tell you what it is, sir―what my belief is. I believe if we do our best―do good to our fellow men, you know, and return good for evil―that’s all we can do.”
“Yes, doubtless; but that will not do for God―that will not save us ... ”
“Stop a minute,” broke in the driver.” I am not like some who don’t believe in any hereafter, or as some who ride on this bus, who say that when we die we are no better than these horses. No; I couldn’t believe that. I do believe in a God, and in a hereafter. No one can say that the sun, moon, and stars, and all the earth, were not made by someone. There, that’s what I believe.”
“So far, so well; but simply knowing God as the God of creation will not save your soul, nor take away your sins. You must know Him as the God who ‘so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Apart from Christ and His precious blood shed on the cross you cannot be saved.”
“Well, I do believe in Jesus Christ, and I’ll tell you the way in which I believe. You see, there was the Duke of Wellington living once. Now I saw him, but my children didn’t, but they believe there was such a man, because I have told them, and in the same way I believe in our Saviour. I did not see Him, but others did, so I believe there was such a Man. And another thing, I never go to bed without saying my prayers, and asking God to forgive me my sins. There! that’s what I believe.”
“Asking forgiveness does not take away our sins, any more than my asking your forgiveness would pay my debt if I owed you money; someone must be found who has paid the debt before we can be free. And then, it seems to me that you only believe about Jesus Christ, that He lived and walked here as a good Man, and nothing more. But it is through His death alone we obtain forgiveness of our sins: for without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).) Still, you say you believe in Him, and the scripture says, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.’ (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).) Now, have you everlasting life?”
“No, sir, I cannot say I have”
“Well, do you not see, my friend, that God has joined faith in Christ and having life everlasting together, and if you have faith you have life; you cannot have one without the other. It is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and not just believing about Him, that you need.”
A moment or two’s pause occurred here, during which our friend the driver appeared to be thinking, when suddenly he said―
“Well, there are many who ride on this bus who say they know they have it, but how (laying stress upon his closing words) do you get at that point?”
His friend then replied, “If you will look at 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), you will then see how to arrive at the point; it is a verse which has been blessed to many, and I trust by it you may find the joy of knowing, as it has been my joy to know for many years, that everlasting life is yours if you receive Christ.”
“What verse did you say?” asked the driver.
“Thank you, sir; I will not forget to read it.”
Now, may I ask the reader of this little incident, have you “got at that point”? ―for doubtless you have read these words of the Lord Jesus Christ, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life.”
A. K. B.