I-B- was brought up from childhood to hard work in the brickyards. Like many more similarly placed, he fell in with bad companions, for years pursuing a course of folly and sin, in forgetfulness both of God and the solemn threatenings of judgment in His Word, as well as the free and precious offers of salvation.
But the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro in the earth, were following I-B-, His heart full of compassion and grace for this child of disobedience, slave to sin and the devil (Rom. 6:1616Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)) Time rolled on, and leaving the brickyards, he entered into business on his own account in a small shop. One day he was met by a Christian, who invited him to one of the neighboring chapels. Accordingly he went; but only, when he had returned home, to abuse the people connected with it on account of a collection that was made at the close of the meeting. The following Lord’s Day, however, he was persuaded to renew his visit. The text was from 1 Peter 1:2424For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (1 Peter 1:24), “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof fadeth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever.” In the course of his address the preacher alluded to having gone into a field where he saw a man who was overseer to several work people, harshly treating and oppressing them, and the thought struck him, “a hell here and a hell hereafter’; unless they should be led to true repentance before leaving this world.
These words made a great impression upon I-B-’s mind, leading to conviction of sin in the presence of God. He felt the weight of them in his own case unless he repented, and was delivered from the wrath to come.
From this time forth he became a regular attendant at the preaching, which acted as a restraint upon his course, although still a stranger to peace with God. Conviction, however, deepened; until one night, being much exercised under the Word, he returned home, and sitting down in his armchair alone, began to meditate upon that which he had heard. The Scriptures lay before him on the table, and stretching out his hand, he placed it on the volume, saying “I do believe.”
It was no mere lip confession in the case of I-B-. He believed with the heart. He
believed and was saved. He was saved, and knew it. He knew it, and rejoiced therein. Now, said he, I know the meaning of those words in the eighth of Romans, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Now, I can understand that beautiful passage in the 14th of John, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”
Filled with joy and peace in believing, he fell upon his knees, and poured out his heart in praise to God, thanking Him also at one moment that his wife was from home lest she should think that he had gone mad, the next wishing she was back again that she might see what happiness he enjoyed.
The following morning, knowing that Satan often tempted believers to question their salvation, he resorted to the curious expedient of cutting the date of his conversion in the arm of his old armchair. A far better resource to meet the subtlety of this wily foe, is the unerring, unchanging Word of God. I-B- has learned this since. Frames, feelings and experiences change and fluctuate; the Word of God never. Resting on the Word gives peace and joy to the heart of the believer.
I-B-’s wife was saved shortly after. The words of Jesus, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more,” were used by the Spirit of God to bring her to share with her husband the rest and peace of God’s salvation.
Both still live, suffering often in body, but finding their joy in the Lord, looking for the blessed hope of glory with Himself.
How wondrous the results both now and forever for all who can say with I-B-, I do believe.” If I were to write to you a volume of ten thousand pages on the way of salvation, I must always bring you, my reader, to this one point, if you are to be saved, “Do you believe?” It is all in believing. Christ is the Savior, He has glorified God as to the question of sin, finished the work whereby sinners are saved (John 17:44I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (John 17:4)). All who believe get the benefit Faith appropriates the blessing. Believe and your sins are forgiven, your soul saved, eternal life yours. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him” (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)). Which are you, believer or unbeliever? You believe about it doubtless; you would not like to acknowledge to unbelief. But do you believe on the Son of God? Not about Him, but on Him. Thousands, tens of thousands. believe about Him, but are unsaved. But all who believe on Him are saved now, and saved forever, washed from their sins in His own precious blood (Eph. 2:55Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5); Rev. 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)).
And what are we saved for? Saved for the kingdom and glory of God, when the Lord comes; saved to follow in His steps through this World till He comes. To walk as He walked (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)), to wait in His patience (Rom. 8:2525But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Romans 8:25)); to live Christ (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)). Unsaved reader, believe on the Son of God and thou shalt be saved. Saved one, follow Him ( John 21:1919This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:19)).