I feel sure there are many of my dear readers who, though they have heard of the wondrous love of Jesus in giving His life a ransom for poor sinners, and have believed in His name, yet are not always quite certain that they have eternal life and shall never come into judgment; but are, alas! often filled with doubts and fears instead of being filled with joy and peace in believing. May the following little incident be used through God's grace to help any such.
A young man had gone to hear a servant of God preach the gospel. During the preaching he came by faith to Jesus and went home feeling very happy; but he told no one of his joy. After a week or two the happy feelings began to get less and less, and he became afraid to tell his old companions about Jesus. About this time he went to visit his brother who was associated with a gospel mission. It so happened that special meetings were being held and of course the brothers went.
Alter the preacher had delivered his message and was about to close with prayer, he asked those present who wished to be specially prayed for to hold up their right hand. The young man's heart began to beat quickly, and there was quite a struggle going on within him. While he hesitated, he kept repeating to himself: "Lord, Thou knowest I love Thee," until the preacher had closed with prayer. Still the young man felt undecided. On his way out he shook the preacher's hand and said: "You meant me, sir, didn't you, when you asked any to hold up their hand?”
"Are you not saved?" asked the preacher.
"Yes, sir, I am saved; but—”
"Have you got a Bible?”
"Yes, sir.”
"Well, when you get home turn to the Gospel of John, 5th chapter, 24th verse. There you will find THREE DIVINE CERTAINTIES. When you have found them, come and see me again, will you?" The young man replied that he would, and they bade each other goodnight.
"Three divine certainties in John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)," our friend kept saying to himself until he reached home. Going straight to his bedroom, he took down his Bible and began eagerly to read John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). He carefully weighed each word:
" 'Verily—verily—I say—unto—you' (that means me). 'He—that—heareth—My—Word' (that is what I have heard tonight), 'and— believeth —on—Him—that—sent—Me' (I believe on Him), `HATH—everlasting—life"' Hath! Hath!! He could scarcely believe his own eyes: "Hath everlasting life." "Have it; have it now!" Throwing himself on his knees he could do nothing but thank God for this wondrous gift.
After a while he remembered that the preacher had told him of three things. This was but the first one, blessed as it was. So he went again to this wondrous verse. Presently he came to the words: "And— shall— not—come—into—judgment.”
"What! No judgment? Oh, praise the Lord! Have everlasting life; shall not come into judgment! Now, what else can there be? What is the third blessing? Ah! 'But is passed from death unto.' Now, at the present time. Praise the Lord! I have eternal life; I shall not come into judgment; and I am passed out of death into life.”
The young man was so full of joy that he could do nothing but praise God for His wondrous and unspeakable gift.
May it be your portion, my dear reader, now and for all eternity.