“A model Christian business man”—that was William. A respected banker, a member of the church, kind and honest in all his dealings—yes, he certainly seemed to live up to his reputation to be what they called him: “a model Christian business man.”
But William was a Christian in name only. He owned that Jesus was the only Saviour, but he did not know Him as his own Saviour. Satisfied, successful, ambitious, he pursued his own career.
One Sunday morning as he left his regular church service, his attention was caught by a large text painted on a wall on the opposite side of the street. In big, bold letters it read:
THE WAGES OF SIN
IS DEATH;
BUT THE GIFT OF GOD
IS ETERNAL LIFE
THROUGH JESUS
CHRIST OUR LORD.
It was like an arrow piercing his conscience. Of all William’s secret fears, death was the “king of terrors.” Until then he had succeeded in drowning the thought of death whenever it entered his mind, but now he could not get rid of the thought. The wages of sin is death began to ring in his ears constantly. He knew they were the words of the living God, and he was forced to listen.
He knew that all men were sinners, but not till then had he realized that he himself had sins, nor what could be the consequences. He saw that he was lost and helpless, and trembled at the thought of being cut off in his sins and condemned for eternity. “If ever a man had a glance at hell, it was I,” he said later.
Facing the fact that he had sinned against God, William immediately set about trying to save himself. He labored fervently to earn God’s favor by extra church-going, giving to the poor, praying, and strict religious observances. Convinced that the forgiveness of sins was obtained by good works, he toiled perpetually to earn God’s pardon.
Later he wrote in a letter to a friend: “I fasted till I could barely walk. Day after day during Lent I walked early in the morning without breakfast to take the morning sacrament. I fasted the rest of the day and prayed so earnestly and so long that I am surprised I did not break down. I did everything my heart suggested until, worn out and discouraged, I almost gave up in despair.”
How many there are who are trying to save themselves, though God’s Word plainly says that salvation is “not of works.” The more zealously William struggled to save himself, the more miserable he became. He did not know that God was waiting for him to give up all his efforts and simply accept eternal life as His free gift.
The truth dawned upon him one lovely Sunday morning in spring. Sad and discouraged, he was leaving the service in company with his young nephew. The little boy suggested that they walk on the other side of the street. Crossing over, William was again confronted by the big text which had started all his trouble. Slowly and deliberately he read it again:
This time it was the last two lines which struck home like a bright ray of light from heaven. The truth of the gospel shone into his dark soul in a flash. Throwing up his hands, he exclaimed: “Is it possible that eternal life is a free gift? And I have been working so hard to get it!”
In a moment he understood that Christ, by His sacrifice, had settled the sin question and won eternal life for him. By simply believing on Him who did it all—paid it all—he was saved.
Hurrying to his room he fell on his knees and thanked God for His amazing grace in giving Jesus to die in his place. His heart overflowing in praise and thanksgiving, he declared: “From now on I shall devote my life, my heart, my strength, my all to the proclamation of the gospel which has been God’s power to the salvation of my soul.”
No longer was he working to gain salvation; his whole purpose in life now was to serve the One who had loved and saved him.
“Come unto Me,
all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest
unto your souls.”