I Like Your Religion.

 •  7 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
THE first twenty-five years of my life I lived only for this world, joining in all the pleasures and amusements of fashionable society, and was altogether forgetful of God.
To ease my conscience, however, I used to say my prayers night and morning; but I never read the Bible, and whenever a serious thought of the future flashed across my mind, I used to console thyself with the idea that there was plenty of time for that yet; I was still young and strong. I entertained the hope that after having had my “fling," and become tired of this world's pleasures, I should then commence to lead such a steady and correct life as in the end to obtain an entrance into the kingdom of God.
Of the real simplicity and plain truths of the gospel I had no clear idea. No Christian friend had ever spoken out plainly to me upon the subject of my salvation. On one occasion, when ill, I was visited by one making a high profession of religion; but his inquiries did not go beyond the state of my bodily health. His conversation, turned on the topics of the day, and the prevailing amusements of the place we were quartered in. I have often regretted that not a single one of my numerous Christian friends ever opened his lips to warn me as to the awful termination of the ungodly course which I was pursuing.
One day, whilst in this state, a friend said to me, “Come with me to the church this evening, and you will hear a good sermon from the rector of the adjoining parish.”
I went out of curiosity, and paid little or no attention to what was being said, until my attention was arrested by the preacher reading out from the fifth chapter of Galatians these words, " Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditious, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like.'
I have no doubt I had often heard them before; but when at the conclusion of this fearful catalogue of sins, many of which I knew I was indulging in, he read this awful sentence, " Of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God," I felt I could go on no longer. I felt I must give them up, or there would be no hope for me.
My mind was deeply impressed with what I heard. I came home changed in my views and feelings; for the Holy Spirit not only brought me tinder deep conviction of my sinfulness in God's sight, but also showed me that the perfect righteousness which as a sinner I needed was only to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. I also felt that the Lord alone could give me strength, and sustain me in the narrow path which leads to everlasting life.
Still, for another month or so I continued joining in balls, operas, concerts, and such-like amusements; but finding I had lost all relish for them, I gave them up entirely, and sought the society of those who had renounced the deceitful vanities of the world, and who were living for those glorious realities which are the eternal portion of all who follow Christ here below.
This change took place a short time before the extraordinary awakening which the Spirit of God had recently produced in various parts of the globe.
Prior to that awakening of the Church of God, Christians, as far as I had seen, seldom, if ever, spoke out faithfully and boldly to those around them respecting their personal salvation. Plain speaking and earnest expostulation were not the fashion. Books may have been lent, and tracts given; religious conversation, if on general subjects, may have been frequent; but if Christians were assured of their own salvation, there was a shameful and inconsistent indifference about the salvation of others. There was a strange shrinking from coming to close quarters, and from dealing faithfully and personally with others as to whether they were on the road to heaven or hell.
I was much struck with the change which took place in many of my friends who visited the North of Ireland, where the power of the Spirit was so largely and blessedly manifested. They returned altered in their sentiments and their habits. Their faith and assurance of their own salvation were greatly strengthened. They were much bolder in speaking to all they met concerning that present peace and future happiness which are to be found only in Christ Jesus.
I give an illustration.
One Sunday I was walking with Captain and a friend of his, shortly after the former had returned from Ireland, when we stopped in the street, and conversed with a poor old woman about her soul. She said, in a very dubious tone, she "hoped she was in the right way.”
“Only hope!" said my friend, to my astonishment; "that is scarcely enough. You ought to be sure.”
I reproved him, and called him presumptuous.
This was all new to me. I knew I was a believer; but I did not feel or like to say I was saved. I went home, thinking seriously over it. I made it the subject of earnest prayer, and about a fortnight afterward, when speaking to one apparently unconverted about the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus, my own safety in Christ seemed to flash upon my mind, and I was enabled to rejoice much in the strength of my salvation.
Still, I was ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and dared not openly confess Him, or indeed to make any open profession even of religion. If any friend came into my room whilst I was reading my Bible, I immediately hid it under the table.
One fine morning very early I was sitting in my room, with my window open, reading God's word, when a friend of mine, who was taking a morning walk, stood up at my window, and, looking in, called out, "Hallo! what are you up to?”
I got red in the face, and said, "Reading my Bible.”
“Very good," he answered: "I don't mind you. I like your religion. You are not one of those fellows who are always pushing it down people's throats. You keep it to yourself. Goodbye.”
So saying, he went away.
Thus left, I was led to ponder over this commendation of my style of religion. I thought within myself, “Who is that man serving? Not the Lord Jesus Christ. His life gives no evidence of it. Then that word of commendation cannot come from God. It must be of Satan,”
Reasoning in this way, I determined no longer to merit such praise; and from that time, by prayer, grace and strength have been given to me to acknowledge Christ before men.
In the Cross of Christ faith sees the invisible God searching the victim, try ing and estimating its worth by the fire of His uncompromising holiness. The Cross of Calvary tells us of an unblemished One, who was in Himself infinitely acceptable to God, One who fully glorified God in regard to sin.
It is God's estimate of the death of Christ, and nothing short of it, that establishes our souls in peace before Him. The resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Christ show us the infinite acceptability, the savor of rest, of that offering in the sight of God; and they all combine to tell us that the believer's security is based upon divine righteousness and truth. If, then, we would have the joy of this immovable security before God, we must have God's thoughts of "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified"; for God has so estimated the priceless value of that finished work on the cross as to raise up from the dead Him who did it, and give to believers life, righteousness, and completeness in Him.