At the close of a gospel meeting an elderly man kept his seat while others were passing out. A Christian sat down beside him and asked him if he was saved.
"No," was the answer, "but I would like to be.”
For some time the Christian tried to point him to Jesus, through the Word of God, but beyond the stranger's first admission the Christian did not seem to make much headway.
The man's clothing showed that his circumstances were not the most comfortable, so the Christian asked a few questions about his work, etc., and learned from him that he was a mason from another city, and had not been able to get work for several weeks. However, he was very emphatic that he had not come in to beg, and was not "hard up.”
However, the Christian offered him a little help, as trade was so bad. The stranger refused to accept what was offered; and to confirm his statement that he was not hard up, he drew an old worn wallet out of his pocket, and showed a couple of quarters. Before he could close it the Christian popped some coins in and told him to put it in his pocket. This time it was thankfully accepted.
After a further talk, he said, "It seems too much like presumption for me to say I'm saved.”
"Oh, so that's it!" exclaimed the Christian. "Well, but what about that money given—you have you got it?”
"Yes, in my pocket.”
"Are you sure?”
Out came the old wallet, and he showed that he had it safe enough.
After pocketing it, he was again urged to accept Christ, but still he hesitated. Again the question was put: "Are you sure you have that money given you?”
With that he was annoyed, and pulled his wallet out again and said, "You had better take that money back.”
Prevailing on him to pocket it again, the Christian said, "Is it too much presumption for you to say you have that money in your pocket?”
"I see! I see!" he cried, "I see what you are driving at! It's no presumption for me to say I'm saved, if I accept God's gift of salvation." Then with tears in his eyes he said, "And I do believe Jesus died for me, and He is my Savior, and I'm saved.”
That man went away happy that night, for "salvation is of the Lord.” "Are you saved?" The question is not asked to gratify curiosity, but is the outcome of a desire for your soul's salvation.
"Are you saved?" Conscience whispers, "No." Then if you die unsaved you will be unsaved through eternity.
God loves you. God gave His Son to die for your sins. God offers His gift of everlasting life for you, and it's no presumption to say, "I am saved if I accept God's gift of salvation.”