PART 2
Her neighbor listened quietly and tried to calm her, while praying secretly that God would use the visitor’s words to show Betty her need of Christ. Going back to her home, Betty kept repeating to herself,
“Fit only for the fire—fit only for the fire.”
She was deeply distressed and soon went to bed. But she could not sleep. She began to go over her life’s history, and little by little she saw how her religiousness had been but an outward show, and that though she had drawn near to God with her lips, her heart had been far from Him. She was convicted of her sinfulness—that she was not right with God, though her conduct might have been correct enough in the sight of those around her. God reads our hearts, while man looks at the outward appearance. Seeing herself now in the light of God’s holiness she began to cry out aloud for salvation. Her neighbor heard, and having dressed, went in at once to find out what was the matter.
“Is there any mercy for me?” asked Betty as she entered, “O, tell me, will God save a sinner like me?”
She was pointed to the Saviour of sinners—to Him who came not to “call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” and the value of His precious blood which “cleanseth us from all sin” was presented before her.
Betty heard with the hearing of faith, and giving up all hope in herself, cast herself unreservedly and alone upon Christ Peace came and filled her soul, for He who heard the cry of the taxgatherer, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” had heard her cry and now answered it.
The next day she hurried to the preacher to tell him that now she had seen her need, and was trusting Christ and finished work alone.
What are you trusting to? In ourselves, we, writer and reader alike, are “fit only for the fire.” Christ has saved the writer by His grace. Has He saved you, the reader? He will save you it owning your need, you come to Him. But,
“Your righteousness as filthy rags,
Must all relinquished be;
And only Jesus’ precious blood
Must be your plea.”
“To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom, 4:5.
ML 10/27/1940