What must I do to be saved?” has been asked by many since the question was uttered by the jailor of Philippi.
Florrie W. once asked the above question. She was an amiable, industrious girl of fifteen. Gentle and obedient, both at home and school, she was deservedly loved by all that knew her. But Florrie was not saved!
God’s all-searching eye looked at her heart, and found it to be deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. God classed her along with all the people who have lived, or are now living, in this world, as having come short of His glory, and by His Spirit, taught our young friend that she was a lost sinner, totally unfit for His presence. She feared the coming of the Lord Jesus, and she feared to die!
“Come now; do not put it off. You cannot have a better time than the present. Now is God’s word to you.
“ ‘All things are ready!’
We must not delay;
We only reap sorrow
By staying away.
“There can be no season
So suited as this,
And while yet we linger,
True joy we may miss.”
Florrie longed to know herself as saved, but the more she looked at herself, the farther off she felt from God. She was unable to join her companions in their parting hymn, but sat silent, bemoaning her unhappy state.
When all the rest were gone, the lady said, “My dear Florrie, is this morning to be the convenient season for you to come to Jesus?”
“O! that it may be, for I am very unhappy. I have tried to do something for God, but I find I can do nothing to please Him. I am truly unprofitable—such a poor sinner. Tell me, what must I do to be saved?”
“The answer to the Philippian jailor was, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ Do you believe on Him?”
“With all my heart.”
“Then, dear girl, you are saved.”
“Am I?”
“Yes; God says you are. Do you not believe His own word?
‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’
‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.’ Thus God says you are saved.”
“He does,” replied the young girl, “and I believe Him.”
“To Him be the praise!” was the lady’s joyful exclamation.
“‘If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’”
“O!” exclaimed the girl, “I want no more to make me believe. I do believe. I am saved!”
“What has become of your sins?”
“The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin,” was the answer. What a happy change—the burden of sin Forever gone! Florrie went to her home with the full consciousness that God had not a charge against her, and rejoicing that Christ had suffered the Just for the unjust to bring her to God.
Three years have passed away since that conversation, and our young friend still rests on God’s own word, and finds it a sure abiding place. She is looking forward, in sure and certain hope, of dwelling Forever with Jesus in His happy home.
May you, dear young reader, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved.
ML 04/12/1931