BLACKSMITH believed that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for him, but he failed to see that God was fully satisfied with that work, and that faith in Christ entirely settled the question with God. Therefore he was not at rest. He thought there must be something left for him to do.
Just as God can use little boys and girls who believe in Jesus as their Saviour to lead their companions to Him, so He allowed a Christian farmer to help this blacksmith through a business transaction. The farmer gave the smith an order for a new iron gate. When the piece was finished, and the farmer came to haul it away, the blacksmith was busy.
Although the gate was well made and satisfactory in every way, the farmer began to pass an old file over its surface.
"What are you doing there?" cried out the smith.
"O, I am finishing the gate."
"You are spoiling my work, the gate is finished."
The farmer then told him that he was doing with the work of Christ what he would not allow done with his own product. As the farmer continued speaking, the smith was able to see that Christ completed the work of redemption when He cried, "It is finished;" that He had made peace by the blood of His cross; that he could enjoy the result of His work but not add to it; that his efforts were to follow salvation, and not to help gain it.
Have you ceased your own efforts and rested upon Christ?
The illustration falls short. The gate would in time wear out, although made of iron; but salvation endures and can never be removed. Once it is ours, it is ours forever through simple faith in Jesus.
“Nothing, either great or small—
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.
“It is finished 1 yes, indeed,
Finished ev’ry jot;
Sinner, this is all you need,
Tell me, is it not?”
Messages of God’s Love 6/12/1932