If I could have a chat with some of you dear children I believe I might find many of you would like to have an answer to this most important question: “Is it possible to me to know that I have Everlasting Life?”
I feel pretty sure some of you would tell me that you have heard it is quite impossible to know such a thing down here, and that it would be great presumption for any to say they did know it.
Thinking then about you, and much wishing you all to know what God says about it, makes me write for you anecdote about dear Dorothy.
It was during the time she lay very ill on one of the days when she was suffering from great weakness, so much so that it was difficult for her to converse at all, that a visitor called to see her.
Speaking to the dear friend who was nursing her, the visitor mentioned the death of someone in the next village, saying,
“I hope it is all right with him; but of course no one can know;” or words to that effect.
Dorothy, hearing the visitor’s remark, and making a great effort to speak, answered, O! but we can know, I know that I have everlasting life.”
This same visitor had been struck with the patience and happiness of dear Dorothy during her painful illness, and turning to her now, she said gently,
“No, dear! How can you know that? un one does.”
“Yes, I do,” Dorothy answered, “because God says, ‘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).
She was too exhausted to say anymore; but it was enough, for it was God’s own word; and she, dear child, was resting upon it, and so knew that she had EVEN NOW everlasting life.
I do want you, dear children, to notice also how clear this truth is; so dear that none need make any mistake as to it. God says that the one. who believes on Him “HAS EVERLASTING LIFE;” not hopes to have, but has it now, and is passed out of one state into another; is passed from death unto life.”
So that the child who simply believes what God says, has the happy assurance which this precious verse gives to the believer in it.
I feel that God has had it written so clearly for you, and so simply too, that any further words of mine would only spoil it; therefore, dear children, I leave it with you, praying that God may carry it home to many a young heart by the power of His Holy Spirit.
“This is the record that God hat+ given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
ML 07/14/1946