Philosopher or Saint?

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 4
How simple all becomes when God opens the eye! A friend who lately came from Paris told me of an English groom there. He was a very careless old man who had, during a severe illness, been brought to know that he was a sinner. He dared not die as he was, but the preacher whom he sent for, got tired of visiting him. He knew nothing more to tell him of the way of salvation.
But one Sunday afternoon the groom's daughter went to see the preacher. She said: "You must come once more, sir! I cannot see my father so distressed again without someone to help him!”
"I can tell him nothing new," said the preacher. "But I could take the sermon I have just been preaching, and read it to him.”
The dying man lay, as before, in anguish. He was thinking of his sins, and whither they must carry him. The preacher greeted him, saying: "I have come to read you the sermon I have just preached. First, I shall tell you the text. 'He was wounded for our transgressions.' Now I shall read.”
"Hold on!" said the dying man, "I have it now! Read no more. 'He was wounded for MY transgressions.”
From that time until he died, the old man rejoiced in God's salvation.
Friend, do you remember the story of Archimedes? It is said that he ran through the streets of Syracuse straight from the bath, where he had found out while in bathing, the secret of testing whether the king's golden crown had or had not been alloyed by the goldsmith in making it. And as he ran, he cried, "I have found it! I have found it!”
Poor philosopher! He had only found out a new principle in science! Happy English groom! He had found in Jesus Christ a crown for his own immortal soul! Reader, are you saved?
How clear and assuring are the answers of God through the Scriptures to the heart questionings of an anxious soul!
How can I get right with God?
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9.
But how can God righteously save me, a sinful creature, without anything on my part to deserve it?
"Through this Man [Christ Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." Acts 13:38, 39.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
But how can I know that this is for ME?
"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.
Then HOW can I make this salvation my own?
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
Take, appropriate for yourself, dear anxious soul, the full, free forgiveness which, in virtue of the great redemption price paid on Calvary's Cross—the atoning death of Christ on the sinner's behalf—God offers to all.