"When were you saved, Miss Lane?”
This question was asked of a new teacher in the little school in a small town. The questioner was the pastor of the church of which she was now a member.
Rather taken aback by the query, Miss Lane replied, "Two years ago.”
When she was safely home and alone, the question and the answer she had given troubled her. Again and again she asked herself, "Have I been really saved?”
Miss Lane thought back to the time when she and several others had been received as "members of the church" at home. None of them, however, had been asked such a question. They had been examined as to their knowledge of the leading facts and doctrines of Scripture; but as to where, when or how they were saved, or, for that matter, if they were saved at all, was never once asked.
Special evangelistic services were then being held in the district, and the fact had again and again been emphasized that the Lord Jesus not only saves but satisfies. Mary Lane asked herself, did she know anything of such soul satisfaction? True, she had given up dancing and other worldly pleasures; she had made a public "profession of religion," and diligently observed the outward forms and ceremonies of her church; yet her heart was restless and unsatisfied. God's Word had declared that, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Mary Lane admitted that she had never known such a change. Could she be really regenerated? After much heart-searching and soul trouble, she came to the conclusion that she was a "professor" merely, having the "form of godliness" without the power, and if she should die as she was, she would be eternally lost. In honesty she must take her place as a guilty and hell-deserving sinner.
How she was to be saved she could not understand; but one morning at school, downcast and sad, her mind greatly troubled and perplexed, she wrote on the blackboard as a copy lesson the familiar, yet oft forgotten and little understood scripture, 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): "For God so loved the world, THAT HE gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”
As she sat musing on these blessed words, like a flash of lightning their glorious and soul-saving truth was revealed to her soul in the power of the Holy Ghost. For the first time in her life, though familiar with the words of this scripture, she realized the great fact that through believing on the Lord Jesus, who died for her, and paid the ransom price for her soul's deliverance, she was eternally saved and had His everlasting life.
"Was it weary work believing?
Days, and weeks, and years of toil;
Weary work a gift receiving,
Who would God's salvation spoil?
"No, 'tis faith's delight to ponder
WHAT THE SON OF GOD HATH DONE;
On the throne to see Him yonder,
Holy, crowned, the living One!”
Yes, beloved, it is an "easy way" of salvation for you, but it is not "too easy." It was obtained for you through the most difficult work of all eternity by Him who died on Calvary to satisfy the claims of offended justice. Though procured at INFINITE COST TO HIM, you can have it now "without money and without price.”