A man went to a meeting where a number of persons took part in the service. The speakers were not clear as to God's way of salvation. Some said men and women were to give up this, and that, in order to be saved. Others declared that it was necessary to pray, work, resolve, etc., etc., ere the pardoning mercy of God could be procured.
This man felt that it was his duty to give his testimony to the saving power of the gospel. His testimony was short, sharp, simple, suggestive, and scriptural.
"I hear you talking about doing to be saved," said he. That is not the way God saved me; God did all the doing, and I did all the taking."
Scripture distinctly declares that salvation cannot be bought by our prayers, doings or religious observances. The work that saves was accomplished by the Lord Jesus on Calvary's Cross. Yet, alas! multitudes of men and women in this highly-favored land are on the "doing" line.
Think of the dying words of the Savior of sinners, uttered by Him on the Cross—
If He has finished the glorious work of atonement, it cannot be added to, and it is worse than folly to attempt it. Because of what He has done and suffered, every barrier has been removed, and God can, in perfect consistency with His holiness and righteousness, pardon and justify ungodly sinners who believe on Christ. Salvation is "not of works lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9) Our doings are valueless as a ground of confidence. Renounce all efforts of your own to procure God's "unspeakable gift." The moment you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be able to say with the man,
"God did all the doing, and I did all the taking."
Will you accept eternal life as a free gift as you read these lines?