“WELL, Mrs. —, and how long have you been saved?” said a Christian visitor to an elderly woman, some eighty years of age.
“Oh! a long time, Sir. One night, as a man was preaching, I was converted, and I thought I could go through the room.”
“What do you mean by go through the room?”
“Oh! I felt so light, I thought I should have gone through the ceiling. I sat on the second seat from the window. I had been weeping, and sorrowing, and trying for three years to be saved, and that night I saw my errors all at once. I saw it was all in believing. I used to believe for other people, instead of myself. I used to think, I wish my husband, or my son were here, that would just suit him. I didn’t believe for myself. But after that, I couldn’t seem to love Christ enough. Oh! it was inexpressible. I thought I could have gone all round the room, and shake hands with everybody, but I didn’t, I kept it to myself.”
“What was the portion of Scripture that was blessed to you?”
“The words were, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.’ It was a man named J―, a blacksmith, who was preaching. He’s been the instrument of bringing many to Christ. There was no sleep for me that night.”
“But what was it made you happy?”
“I believed in Christ, that was all. There was nothing more to do, was there? Mr. M― used to come and ask me, Are you happy, Hannah?’ And I said, Yes.’ And so did the other woman who lived with me. We were happy in our sins.”
“‘Where are your sins now?”
“Behind His back.”
“Do you know, then, that you are saved?”
“I seem positive I am. If I ain’t, I never shall be. It was quite a change, what I never experienced before.”
How blessed to meet with such simple faith in the Lord Jesus in a poor old woman poor in this world, but rich in faith. My reader, can you speak with the same confidence and joy? Conversion to God is a real change indeed. Have you passed through it? It is not a mere persuasion that certain facts concerning Jesus are true, but much more than that. It is the actual implanting in that one who believes on the Son of God, of a new nature that finds all its springs, and joys, and delight in Him. “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). “Marvel not,” said the Saviour, “that I say unto you, Ye must be born again.” John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7). Yes, it is an absolute necessity.
Born in sin, and shapen in iniquity, none are meet for the presence of God, but touch but the hem of the garment of Christ, and virtue shall go out from Him for you. Believe on Him, and His blood will cleanse you from all sin. 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). His Word will assure your heart, and the Spirit of God will both impart in you new life, eternal life, and seal you for the day of redemption. John 6:47,47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47) Ephesians 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30).
As this old woman said, “I believed in Christ, that was all. There was nothing more to do, was there?” No, indeed, nothing, nothing whatever to do; it was all done by Jesus, long, long ago.
I want no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And rose again for me
Dear reader, “Is it enough for you?”
If not, why not?
E. H. C.