D― was an exceptionally good, moral-living young man. He very rarely swore, he kept clear of bad company, he had very seldom in his lifetime tasted strong drink; in short, he was so good that when he came to work at H―R― his mate, who was a Christian, thought surely he must be a Christian also. However the latter, not being satisfied with the mere outward appearance, longed for an opportunity to find out for certain whether his new fellow-workman was converted or not.
An occasion presenting itself in a spare moment one day, he sought to show D― from God’s Word that all men, whether morally good or bad, were alike in God’s sight, sinners; quoting to him the Word of God, “There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.... For there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10-2310As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:10‑23)).
D― listened very quietly till he had finished, and then broke out with, “Man, but I’m no sic a bad fellow aifter a’.”
No more passed between them at that moment, but feeling sure now that this young man was under the impression that his own goodness would count with God, his mate began to pray that his eyes might be opened. Some time passed, when, while at work one night, something seemed again and again to say to the Christian, “You have never asked D― outright if he is a Christian.” Convinced that it was God’s Spirit that was prompting him, he determined to do so. Waiting for the first spare moment which afforded an opportunity, he put the question, “Are you a Christian, D?” The words seemed to go through and through him; his eyes fell, there was a short pause, and then he answered, “No, I’m no’ a thorough ane.”
The way being now opened, the Christian began―according to the light he had got―to present the gospel to D―. It was soon plainly evident that he wanted to be saved. Up till this time he had been able to keep his anxiety hid, although, as he afterward put it, from the first day he started to work alongside of this Christian he was under the conviction that the latter was the possessor of something which he himself did not have.
It was peace with God that he longed for, although he did not then know it, and as the days went by, and as yet divine light had not shone in upon his soul, his face showed his misery. It was not, however, to be for long.
One day, while working together as usual, his mate felt led to bring before him that verse, “Verily, 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 5:2424Verily, 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)), telling him that he had only to believe to obtain everlasting life, and asking him to ponder over those words. Every now and then throughout that day D― said to him, “What were those words again?” He repeated them to him, inwardly praying to God that He would bless His own Word.
Time for stopping work came, and D― went away home still undecided, but, thank God, not to rest until he was sure of his soul’s salvation. After he went home he got down on his knees and asked God to forgive him, and as he knelt there he felt sure that God answered his prayer. God had forgiven him for Christ’s sake. He rose from his knees a pardoned sinner.
And now, dear reader, just a word with you. Are you, like D—, going about seeking to establish your own righteousness. If so, we pray that God may open your eyes to see―as he saw―that your good works, and good moral living, are all in vain; that all man’s righteousnesses are as filthy rags, in God’s sight, and that “the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22)), is the only righteousness that avails before God. “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt, but to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:4-54Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:4‑5)). May you, like D―, soon find your chief delight in saying, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)).
D. A. S.