HE was a strong and burly young man, by trade a blacksmith. Brought up respectably, to attend a place of worship, and so forth—he found his way, despite all barriers of this kind, into the more outward wickedness to which man so readily yields. God has said in His Word, “The heart” (not some one particular heart, but the heart, He speaks of it as if there were only one) “is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)); and Jim, the blacksmith, for so he was generally named, gave way, easily enough, to the temptations of Satan, and the evil inclinations of his own heart. He took to drinking, and soon found himself enslaved by this degrading habit. His father died, and some other relatives, too, at about the same time, and each left him a little money.
This was a fresh encouragement to persist in the downward course, the broad road which leads to everlasting destruction, and the money left him, together with the little he had saved from his own earnings, was soon swept into the publican’s till.
But God is over all, though man disobeys Him, and His eye was upon Jim the blacksmith, poor drunkard as he was fast becoming. After a drinking bout one night, he went home as best he could, and got to bed. The next morning, he awoke with palpitation of the heart, a thing he had never suffered from before. Alarmed, he hurried to the doctor, from whom he received some medicine, with orders to go home and rest quite quietly.
“That’s good for a blacksmith’s trade,” said Jim to himself, “to have to bide quiet and do no work. No, if I’ve got to die, I may as well be at my work, as lying idle on my bed.” So saying, he went to his work. In his forge, as he strove to forget his trouble, and drive away the growing sickness of his body by hard work, he was met by God, whom he had so long defied.
He saw no vision, heard no thunder peal, but the still small voice of God inquired of him, “If you should die, what then?” Startled by this question, he set himself the more eagerly to his work, and strove to banish the very thought of death. But vain was the effort, for still the words were ringing in his ear, “If you should die, what then?” Ill and feeble as he was fast becoming, he was obliged at last to leave his work, and take the needed rest and medicine. They had their effect in due course, and soon he was well and strong again. Gladly would he have forgotten that warning voice and have put it from him with the empty medicine bottle but no, the question sounded night and day in his ears, and he became deeply anxious about his never-dying soul. For twelve long months he went on thus, now trying to get away from the question which tormented him, now eagerly desiring to go to some place where he might hear how his soul was to be saved, and yet ashamed to be seen going. What a tyrant-master Satan is! One Lord's Day evening, a friend saw Jim loitering on his doorstep, and said,
“Will you come to the meeting tonight?” “Aye, will I,” cried Jim, “and gladly!” So together they went. Jim delighted thus to have a companion, for he was ashamed to go alone. That night he heard the simple story of the full and free salvation which God has provided, but has provided only for sinners. The preacher was a child of God, and preached His truth, and Jim was born again that night—begotten of God “by the Word of Truth.” James 1:1818Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18). He saw what a poor, guilty sinner he was in the presence of a holy, sin-hating God, and he was enabled, as one who deeply needed mercy, to cast himself upon God, and to trust in the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth 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). This was seven years ago, and still Jim is rejoicing in the knowledge of the forgiveness of his sins, and the possession of everlasting life through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:2222But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22). Perhaps this story may fall into the hands of some who will say, “He must be a very ignorant and presumptuous man―this Jim―to say he knows his sins are forgiven; and more so still to pretend to know that he has eternal Life.”
Let us see what the Scriptures have recorded on these matters.
First, then, as to the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins. Let us look at John’s first epistle, chap. 2, ver. 12. There we read, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His Name’s sake.” The term “little children,” or children, embraces all the Christian converts to whom the apostle was writing and he wrote, not to explain to them how their sins might at last be forgiven, but as he says, because they were already forgiven. He writes to them in order “that their joy might be full.” Chapter 1:4. Compare this blessedly simple statement with Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) and, 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24), and the Lord graciously give you, as He gave Jim the blacksmith, to take Him at His Word.
Then as to the known possession of eternal or everlasting life, we find the Word speaking very plainly. Will you turn to 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). How clear it is. “He that believeth on the Son hath” (not “hopes he has,” nor “will have some day, but HATH) “everlasting life.” Read the rest of the verse, and mark the alternative! Then again 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): “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY word, and believeth on Him that sent me, HATH everlasting life.” Read the rest of this precious verse, and then turn to John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47).
Jim is no drunkard now, but a bright and happy Christian, for now he knows the Truth, and the Truth has set him free. John 8:3232And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32). And so it must be with all who would be saved. God’s order is salvation first―life out of death―and then good works. You can’t do good works before you have life, and by nature you are dead in trespasses and sins before God. Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1). But blessed contrast. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. “He that hath the Son, HATH life.” 1 John 5:1212He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12).
Jim can answer now without a fear the question which once tormented him.
I ask you, my reader, how you would answer it? If you should die―what then?
What is your hope before God?
The Lord bless His Word to your soul, and give you to receive it. A. S. L.