Some time ago a Christian was out giving away little books containing good news about the One who saves sinners. While thus employed, he met an acquaintance, who, he had every reason to believe, was unsaved. Having shaken hands, he offered him a little book, bearing on its outside the words, "Are you a Christian?”
The book was accepted, and they separated. The next day they again met, their daily occupation being at the same place.
"Well, S—," said the Christian, "did you read that little book and are you a Christian?”
"Yes, I hope so," was the reply; and then something interfering, the conversation had to cease.
An hour later, however, the two were standing side by side once again.
"S—, you told me an hour ago that you hope you are a Christian; may I ask you on what grounds you base your hope?”
"O, I really do think I am one. I always go to church, and do the best I can; and I can't do more than that.”
"And is that all that you have to build your hopes upon?”
"Well, God is merciful, and if one does his best, I don't see what else can be expected of him.”
"Ah, S—, it is indeed true that God is merciful. He has shown His mercy by providing a way of salvation; but what claim can you have to His mercy, while you are neglecting the one channel through which it flows? God's mercy will not flow through your channels, but it flows fully and freely through Christ; and if you are to be saved, it must be through Him. Paul says, in his Epistle to the Galatians, `If righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain?'
For what was the use of the Son of God suffering for sins, if 'doing your best' is all that is needed.”
I cannot now relate all that was said, but if one among my readers is trusting to 'doing his best,' may he at once abandon every such thought, and look to Christ, and to His finished work, for salvation.