SELDOM, if ever, have I witnessed the gospel to be more distinctly “the power of God unto salvation," than I did the other day.
The case in point was, in its shades and sunshine, its sorrow and joy, full of interest.
It was that of a young woman, tenderly and carefully brought up by God-fearing parents, who, two years previously, had been awakened to a sense of her sinful condition by the conversion of a brother. He had "passed from death unto life” quickly,—a deep conviction of sin, followed by a soul-liberating apprehension of a dead, risen, and glorified Saviour, gave him the knowledge of his acceptance before God, and of the new and blessed relationship which he now possessed as a child of God. The clouds thus dispersed, he became bright and joyful. But not so his sister! Like Mary, who stooped down at the empty sepulcher and wept, so did she weep. "Oh that I could find him!" was the sad plaint of her heavy heart for two long years and as time passed the burden only increased, the shadows were dark and the waters deep; but all was the work of the Spirit of God, giving her such experience of her guilty and powerless state as a child of Adam, that, in due time, the gospel, in its perfect suitability and power, might lead her into rest and blessing. During that period the truth had been presented to her, both in public addresses and private conversations, but yet without avail.
On the occasion in question, after prayer to God, I called upon her at home, and thus had ample opportunity of saying all that I could.
She wanted salvation from the judgment of God. Yes, she wanted it; and, my reader, do you? Have you ever been brought, by the Spirit of God, to an intolerable thirst for salvation from conscious guilt, misery, and judgment to come? Well did I know what could meet her want, and make her the happy possessor of salvation and of a Saviour too. It was the gospel; that sweet and perfect remedy for all such spiritual diseases that heaven-sent story of love that "power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.”
I therefore drew her attention to the tenth chapter of Romans, and after a brief explanation of "the righteousness which is of faith, "as contrasted with “the righteousness which is of the law," therein so beautifully unfolded, I pressed on her acceptance the 9th verse,—" That 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." Oh how plain! Notice, there is no demand for feeling; all lies in "confessing" and "believing," and then God appends salvation. Observe the three "shalts"—" If thou shalt confess... and shalt believe... thou shalt be saved.”
However, plain as this divine statement is, it failed to produce the result I desired.
Next I turned to Rev. 22:17, —" Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." What is the meaning of "will”? I asked. "Wishes," she briefly replied. "Does that describe your state?" "Yes,” said she. But still there was no apprehension; the word was not "mixed with faith.”
Next I referred her to Rom. 4:25, v. 1, in order to spew that the work whereby peace is found is apart from our feelings altogether, and that it is effected by the death and resurrection of Christ,—" Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification; therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." “Having made peace by the blood of the cross," the soul must rest on that precious blood by faith, apart from feeling. God demands that His word, and the work of His blessed Son, be accredited by faith first then the Holy Ghost will bear witness, and feelings of gratitude will follow.
Again I was disappointed. Oh the blinding effects of unbelief!
Lastly I turned to Matt. 11:28,—"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." “Heavy laden! Does not that describe your condition?" I asked. "It does," said she.
“Then you are invited by Jesus to come to Him, with the assurance that He will give you rest;" and in this strain I pleaded. But, alas, all these passages, and many such, had been repeatedly brought before her, and equally without avail. The hold of Giant Despair's Castle still contained this poor troubled soul. Such despair! What was to be done? I felt that such unbelief deserved rebuke, and I spoke sharply. Unbelief is reckoned amongst the sins that merit "a place in the lake of fire" (see Rev. 21:8). "He that believeth not is condemned already.” Not that there is any merit in our faith, only there is positive sin in our unbelief; it must be punished. “Oh! why do you remain," said I, "in your cell, when the door to liberty is thrown wide open for you?" No reply.
I reclined on my chair, utterly at a loss what more to say. Almost three minutes had thus passed in silence, when suddenly she exclaimed, "I COME” and the long-pent heart found relief in a flood of thankful tears. Yes, quick as lightning did the clouds depart, whenever she accredited the word of God! At that instant, and forever, was she liberated. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free “(John 8:32). "After that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13).
Precious gospel! Oh what peace, what joy, what light, is thereby carried to the soul that simply believes! No marvel that Paul should say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel;" he loved it; he desired to die in the testimony of it (Acts 20:24). He knew that it was “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." And what system of philosophy, how elaborate soever; what man-made religion, however specious; what device of priestly brains, ever so learned—could presume to save? It might reform, amend, ameliorate, but never could wash from sin, or put the believing soul in possession of peace with God, and a title, blood-bought and Spirit-given, to eternal glory! Never! This is the grand and exclusive prerogative of" the gospel of the grace of God." This gospel has no rival. It springs from the heart of God the Father; it flows to guilty sinners through the blood of God the Son; and is applied, in living power, by God the Holy Ghost. Matchless gospel!
My reader;—
"Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distressed?
`Come to Me,' saith One, and coming,
Be at rest.”
J. W. S.
Is it not a wonderful thing that God should care to have us with Himself forever? To express His desire, and effect His purpose, He has given the Son of His love—the best thing in heaven—for us, the worst things on earth. Nor is love alone displayed in this. His righteousness is manifested in putting us along with Christ in glory. Really the righteousness of God is this,—What is due to Christ? His due, clearly, is to have with Him those for whom He suffered, bled, and died.