HOW often may we hear the expression from individuals, when spoken to on the subject of their soul’s salvation, “But I am so ignorant;” and how many there are, who really think, that to be saved one must be somewhat advanced intellectually.
The writer hopes the following story will help, such who are under the above impression, and give them to see it is not learning, or how much one knows, but a simple faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus.
Old Nat C — was terribly ignorant; he had from early days been compelled to work hard for his daily bread, and had had few opportunities for learning either to read or write. Naturally strong and robust, he also had found no time for considering his condition as to the next world, and no doubt thought the end to be far off. But God touched him, and the strong man bowed to His touch, and upon the bed of affliction his state as a sinner was put before him; that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)), in answer to which he lost no time in owning he had been a great sinner; but now the all-important question came, how should HE be saved? The great blood shedding of Christ was spoken of, but still he could not comprehend; of the Lord Jesus undertaking for the sinner’s every need; this also he did not understand — everything seemed dark to him, as his own benighted mind.
There had passed away a little before one whom Nat had known well, one who, too, had lived a notoriously wicked life, but who through God’s grace and mercy had been brought to believe that “the blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanseth us 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)), and the case of this one was brought before Old Nat. He quickly retorted, that he never had come up to him in wickedness, never had been guilty of such crime as he had committed. It was urged by his visitor that the one who had been guilty of such acts as Nat exclaimed he never had done was gone to be with Christ in glory, and solely because he had trusted Jesus and His finished work on Calvary’s cross; that the blood of Jesus Christ had cleansed him from all sin. Very little more was said to him except that the precious blood of Christ was enough for the poor sinner’s need, and to meet the claims of a Holy God, and his visitor left him, never to see him again on earth.
In three days time, he passed away, but in the meanwhile was visited by one who endeavoured to persuade him that certain forms must be adhered to, “The Sacrament” must be partaken of and various ordinances gone through, ere he could be saved.
He was near his end then, and about his last words were, “Ah! but after all, it is the blood, it is the blood.”
Reader! what a testimony from one who knew little else but the struggle for the bread that perisheth; and what joy was there that night in heaven, in the presence of the Angels of God, over another sinner brought to repentance.
You may perhaps remember an old proverb, “All men think all men mortal but themselves.”
Recollect, too, God is no respecter of persons. Death comes to the hall and hut alike, to the rich and to the poor, to the nobleman as well as the pauper, and can you say your soul may not be required of you this very night?
Christ is coming to take His people to be with Himself forever. Will you be among them?
Death comes to many around. Is Christ YOUR LIFE? The judgment of the world hasteneth. Are YOU under the shelter of the blood?
Oh! sinner, trust the word of the Lord, who has said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:1212For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. (Exodus 12:12)). Then, when Jesus comes, you will go to be with Him for all eternity. If death comes, He will be your life. if judgment comes, His blood will be your shelter.
May God help many who read this simple story to take courage and to say as one of old said, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” E. J. K.