QUESTION.—What is the explanation of the uncertainty and indecision of some souls that seem truly wishing to believe in Jesus, and to know the forgiveness of their sins? S. Q.
ANSWER.—A great and deplorable mistake into which so many fall, is that of confounding the enjoyment of truth, when believed, with the mere feelings or impressions of their own minds. When persons say, "I can't feel that God loves me, that Christ died for me, that my sins are forgiven," we believe that they simply mean, "I do not enjoy or feel the power of these blessed truths.”
But how can these or any other truths be enjoyed, or their power felt, until they are believed?
Faith never refers to self, but always to the word of God. We meet with many who want to feel that they are believers, before they have believed the truth, and to feel that they are safe before they trust in Jesus.
Now, this is all confusion. The truth to be believed, mark, is outside of self; the enjoyment of it is within. "The Lord direct your hearts,” says the apostle, "into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." (2 Thess. 3:55And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)).
These blessed central truths are ever the same: unchangeable, outside and independent of the believer; nevertheless, they are to be enjoyed in the heart. But if we at times fail to realize their power, and to enjoy them in our hearts, they remain unchangeably the same. The object of faith is ever outside of self; the enjoyment of it within. Our failing to enjoy the object can never lessen its value, or change its character,