One day I was thrown unexpectedly into the company of a young farmer, when our conversation turned upon the inconsistencies of professing Christians, which evidently stumbled him. To bring matters to a personal application, I told him my hope, that the Lord Jesus would soon come from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God, and after that every man shall be given a reward according to his work; adding, that the coming of Christ might take place even while we were talking together.
The young man was much impressed with the thought of Christ’s coming, indeed, he almost allowed himself to be too late for the business he was going to engage in at the next town, in his anxiety to hear more of the subject. As we parted, I pressed upon him the reality that the Lord might come for His saved ones ‘ere he reached his destination, and said,
“If not saved, what would then become of you?” He hung his head and walked away.
I met the same young man some months afterward, and asked if he remembered our conversation, and he immediately replied that it had never been out of his mind.
“Are you saved?” I inquired, and he answered,
“No.” A long conversation followed, but my young friend had not yet his eyes opened.
Again some time elapsed, when I found myself sitting with the young farmer and his wife. It was a winter’s evening, the day’s work was over, and the Word of God was opened. We read and commented upon many precious passages, which show how God in His infinite mercy has provided a way of salvation for man who is ready to perish, and that faith in Christ, the Saviour, is the only way by which a sinner can be saved. It seemed passing strange that for two hours we talked together, none of us growing weary, and yet the light had not shone into either of them. I was just about to give up, when one other passage like the lightning’s flash came into my mind. These are the 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 gave of His Son. And this is 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. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:10-13). I turned to the young man and said,
“Look at this 13th verse. You say you believe on the Son of God?”
“Yes, I do,” he answered.
“Well then, God, by His Spirit, says, ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.’”
“Then,” said he, “I must be saved!”
“To be sure you are,” I answered.
“Yes,” he said again, “of course I am.”
“Do you see it, Charley?” said his wife.
“Yes,” he said, “I do. It’s only believing in Him.”
From that moment he was satisfied, and his heart overflowed with joy, and he abundantly proved the reality of it by his subsequent life.
Dear reader, do you see it also? Do you believe on the name of the Son of God? Then you have eternal life. But if not, why not?