ONE evening last winter a poor woman came to our door to ask for assistance.
Giving her a trifle, I also offered her a small Testament, asking her if she would read it. She took it, and said that she would, remarking, "1 daresay now that this is a religious book, miss?” I said, "It is the Book of books, for it is God's Word, and it is `able to make you wise unto salvation.'”
“Somebody gave me a tract the other day," she then said,” and it told me to be good and do my duty, and if I could it would be all right.”
“Well," I said," and what can you do? I dare-say you have tried, and found to your cost that you could not think a good thought?”
“That I have," was her quick response.
“Yes, and you have only an evil nature that can bring forth nothing but sin; but God does not expect you to do good until you have received the gift of His dear Son. ` God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life' (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). You must have life before you can work.”
“Oh! but it seems too much to expect God to give salvation without our doing anything for it; it looks like imposing upon Him.”
“Let me tell you what God says about it," I replied; and taking the Testament out of her hand, I turned to the 4th of Romans, and read the 5th verse, “But to him that worketh not, but believe& on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.' Now that is very simple, is it not? "I asked,—"’ to him that worketh not.'”
"Yes," she said, "it is simple." Taking a pen, I drew it under the words I had read, and gave her back the book, saying, “You can read it for yourself. God does not want your works, but He does want you to believe.”
Just then I was interrupted, and being on business I was obliged to leave her. Her words as I turned away were, “Thank you very much, miss; you don't know what you've done for me tonight.”
I have not seen her again, but the Lord knows whether she has accepted His terms.
Now, dear reader, I would ask you if you have been resting on the hope that someday (you do not know exactly when or how) you may be able to do something to pay for salvation? If so, let me tell you, as "God is true," and on the authority of His unchangeable word, that it is entirely beyond your power. It is "without money and without price” (Isa. 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1)). “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord "(Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23))" to him that worketh not, but believeth." There were those who asked the Lord Jesus the question, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent " (John 6:28, 2928Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28‑29)). Dear reader, if you are a worker for salvation, do leave your fruitless efforts, and believe what God says about you, that you are "without strength" (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)).
“Till to Jesus' work you cling
By a simple faith,
Doing is a deadly thing,—
Doing ends in death.”
But, reader, it may be that you are one who has been saved by simply trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus, yet still going on in careless indifference as to His claim as Lord. If so, let me tell you that you are losing a great deal of joy and blessing. "To OBEY is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam. 15:2222And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)); and the path of obedience is the path of blessing, and the path of power. Hear His words, disobedient Christian,—" He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me "(John 14:2121He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)); and again," Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? "(Luke 6:4646And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)). Do you say," I cannot see the right path "? Hear His word again," If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine "(John 7:1717If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17))." If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
E. L. C.