SOME little time ago, in a small hamlet, many dear souls were, through God's blessing upon the word, brought to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour from the guilt and power of sin.
Amongst the number was a fine-looking young man, who had previously led an outwardly profane life. The word, which is "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow" (Heb. 4:1212For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)), by the Holy Spirit's work, went right home to his heart, the deep sense of his sins weighing him down heavily.
Speaking to one of his fellow-workmen about him, the next day, I said, “Do you think Thomas has found peace in believing yet?"
“No," he replied; " but he has been wishing all clay it was meeting time."
That night the subject of the address was, "Peace made (Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)); sin put away (Heb. 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)); true reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18, 1918And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18‑19)). At the close of the address, someone said to me, “Thomas wishes to see you in his own house; he would rather speak to you there." So I followed him into his house, and then said, "You have not found Christ yet, Thomas, I fear?”
“No, I have not," said he.
"Do you believe that He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself?”
“Yes, I see that, but I am no better."
It was apparent that, unless God the Holy Spirit opened his heart, my words would he of no avail; so I said, “Let us kneel before God in prayer, and ask Him to show us the hindrance; and to remove it."
We knelt in prayer, and, after rising from our knees, I asked, "What is it that keeps you from Christ, Thomas?”
“It is my sins," he said.
“Have you confessed yourself a sinner before God?” I asked.
“I have," he replied.
Then I said, “You don't believe that God has forgiven you?"
“No; I am not forgiven."
"Listen," I said; “If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'
“Yes," he replied.
“Is He just in pardoning the believing sinner?”
“Yes," he answered again.
"If we truly confessed our sins before Him and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and He did not fulfill His word, would He be faithful?"
“No," said he.
“Or, if He did not pardon, would He be just?"
No."
“God is faithful—God is just, and, if you have truly confessed your sins before Him, has He not pardoned you?"
"I don't feel that I am pardoned," he said.
“It is not a question of believing your feelings at all, but of believing what God says. If you believe your feelings instead of God, you are trusting in yourself, and making Him a liar. I shall mark a passage for you to read."
He gave me his Bible. I marked these words: "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that.... God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:10-1110He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:10‑11))
“Will you read that carefully? “I asked.
Whilst he read, I lifted up my heart in prayer for him. He read it, and closed the book. I said, “Is that true?”
"Yes, it is."
“You believe it, do you?”
“I do," he replied, with emphasis.
“Then you are saved?”
“Thank God, I am," he replied.
The load was gone from his heart. I saw a change pass over his countenance; it was the dawn of a new life; the look of wretchedness fled, and a bright, but tearful smile took its place.
We knelt before the Lord to praise Him for His grace, and, as we rose, he accompanied me to the next house, where was his wife, who was also seeking salvation, to tell her and his friends he had found Christ.
Immediately his wife broke out in praising God: "Oh, Lord, I thank thee for saving my dear husband. I praise Thee." That night she also found rest in Christ.
The change in Thomas was deep and real. Some time after his conversion he said, “I want to be an out-and-out Christian." He got rid of the dog which had been his companion in his poaching expeditions, and left his old companions and former friends.
I trust my reader who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is also ambitious to be an "out-and-out Christian." Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Cor. 6:14, 1314Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. (2 Corinthians 6:13).)
Is my dear reader still unsaved? Read humbly the Scriptures which were used of the Lord to Thomas D., not trusting in the words only, but in the Christ they reveal—in the life they offer from God—in the way of salvation they make known. Then, too, you shall prove that the "gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).)
J. H. J—G.