There are two great practical questions which imperatively demand, as they, most assuredly, deserve, the attention of every serious, thoughtful person. The first question is, What is the basis of peace? The second, What is the secret of progress? We do not mean to enlarge, but merely offer a hint or two.
And, first, as to the true basis of peace, how very few, comparatively, know it and possess it for themselves! How few amid the millions who throng the so-called churches, chapels, preaching rooms, and lecture halls, throughout the length and breadth of Christendom, can truly say, “I am at peace with God.”
Everywhere one sees unrest, uncertainty, dimness and cloudiness. There are, on all hands, unsettled questions, unsolved difficulties, doubts, fears, misgivings. Heart’s ease is not known. There are vague hopes, undefined desires and aspirations; but no rest, no settled assurance, no divine certainty. The basis of peace is unknown. There are, at this moment, hundreds of thousands who, in reference to the simple question of peace, are completely at sea. There are vast numbers of the professed teachers of religion who do not themselves enjoy the peace of God in their souls—cannot say, with sweet, cloudless, christian confidence, “My sins are all forgiven. I have gotten an unblotted title, an unclouded prospect, an unchanging Friend.” In many cases, alas! it is actually taught as orthodox doctrine that no one can know, at this side of the grave, that his sins are forgiven—that it is presumption for any one to think so—and that the true and proper christian state is a state of wholesome uncertainty and doubt—that it keeps us humble and hopeful—that too much confidence would minister to a Spirit of pride.
Now all this seems perfectly marvelous to any one accustomed to breathe the atmosphere of the New Testament. If we range through all the epistles, from beginning to end, we cannot find such a thing as a Christian not knowing that his sins are forgiven. It is assumed as the necessary consequence of being a Christian. Thus we read, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7); Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14).)
Such is the uniform teaching of the epistles. A Christian not knowing the forgiveness of sins is something perfectly anomalous. We speak not now of quickened souls, whose cases are recorded in the gospels, or of the case treated of in Rom. 7. We refer to the condition of Christians as presented in the epistles, and we maintain that such a thing as a Christian doubting the forgiveness of his sins is wholly unknown. A state of doubt and uncertainty is not a christian state at all. Many professing Christians are in this state; but it is not the proper state of a Christian. A soul in doubt does not know, does not possess and enjoy, the basis of peace.
It will be well for the reader, in view of the almost universal condition of things around him, to look this question straight in the face, and to see what answer he himself can return to it. Let him settle it in his mind, as a fact established in the clearest manner, in the word of God, that a state of doubt, uncertainty, or unbelief, is, most assuredly, not Christianity at all. That the proper christian state is one of calm confidence, sweetest peace, quiet assurance, and rest—not a cloud above, nor a spot within. And hence the sad condition of souls—the muddle and jumble in which they are involved is the result of Christendom’s false teaching and profound ignorance of the simple gospel of the grace of God. God’s gospel could never leave the soul in doubt or darkness—never, no, never. That most precious gospel, wherever received, gives the knowledge and absolute certainty of salvation; and, therefore, wherever this knowledge, this certainty, is not possessed, God’s gospel is not known.
We do not mean to say that there is not divine life. We believe there are thousands of the beloved children of God who do not possess the blessed certainty that their sins are forgiven; who do not know that they have eternal life; are not resting in calm assurance on the true, the divine, basis of peace.
And here we may be asked, “What is the true basis of peace?” We reply, in one brief sentence, it is the acceptance of a full Christ for the heart. It is utterly impossible for anyone to enjoy settled peace until his heart has believingly accepted a full Christ; and it is equally impossible for anyone thus to accept a full Christ, and not have settled peace.
Reader, see that you understand this. It is of far more importance than any words of ours can set forth. Do apply your heart to it now. Have you accepted a. full Christ? Are you satisfied with Him? Yes, with Him, apart from all your doings, your thinkings, your feelings, your evidences? Are you satisfied with, and resting in, Christ alone? If so, you know the basis of peace.
And now, one word as to the secret of progress. It is most certain that there can be no progress until the soul is at peace. So long as I am tossed about with all sorts of fears and doubts, questions and difficulties; so. long as I am halting, wavering, and fluctuating, real progress is out of the question. There may be progress towards the christian starting-post, but no progress from it until I have found the basis of peace; for that basis is, beyond all question, the only true starting-post for the Christian.
What, then, is the true secret of progress? It is closely allied with the basis of peace. What is it? It is the surrender of a whole heart to Christ. Yes, reader, thus it stands in this weighty matter. Wouldst thou know peace? Accept a full Christ for thy poor troubled heart. Wouldst thou make progress? Surrender thy whole heart to Christ. Give up the world—give up your position—your reputation—your field of usefulness—your religious character—everything, in short, that has your attached to it; and make a full surrender of your heart to Christ. Then you will understand both “peace and progress.”