IT is remarkable that all the conversions in Scripture are described as immediate in their occurrence. I had in my congregation at Kingstown a lady who was converted in this way―suddenly. She was walking one evening to her seat in the theater, when she saw in letters of fire (gas being used), above the doors of the theater, these words― “To the Pit.” The thought struck her― “Ah! there is, indeed, a pit! There is, indeed, a hell! to which I feel I am hastening.” God deepened that conviction. The arrow rankled in her soul, and she is now a loving disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Nor is this a solitary case. I have seen marvelous revulsions in a moment of time. I know an instance of a lady who was riding over the fields in summer with her husband, and as her horse leapt a hedge she was nearly thrown. It was a dangerous spot, and the thought in a moment struck her― “What if I had been thrown, and had been killed? How dreadful; for, alas! I am not saved.” The thought pierced like an arrow her very soul. You may smile when I tell it, but it is nevertheless true, that before her horse had gone out of that field, before it crossed another fence―the boundary that separated that field from the next―she had received the salvation of God, had fled for refuge to Him who died; and her mind was at rest and peace in Him.
I have often spoken of the conversion of the thief on the cross, as if, as to its suddenness, it were exceptional. But no. When a poor sinner finds out that salvation is not of his doing, but that all has been done for him, his salvation must be immediate. There is no other way for any to be saved. Thus the jailer at Philippi was awakened―convicted―hears of Jesus―believes―is saved. Same also with the eunuch: he reads in the prophet; he is told of Messiah―Jesus; he believes and is baptized. The three thousand at Pentecost―the same. They, too, heard―were pricked to the heart―believed―and were saved. The very day of their conversion they were told how “they had slain that just One.” How could they get to heaven, whither He had gone, on the ground of any conduct of theirs? but, knowing Him as having done all for them in dying, they repented, had a new mind, believed, and that same day, though guilty in themselves, they knew their guilt had been taken by the CRUCIFIED ONE; and that on seeing it they were saved. Hence their baptism was the “answer of a good conscience towards God.” There was not only a great work wrought for them, but they owned to a blessed work done in them―their consciences having been purged, and their affections having been awakened, by the knowledge of the precious blood which had been shed on the cross for them.
Ah! reader, your response to the truth of Christ having died for you may be now, whilst you read this; for now is the accepted time, even now is the day of salvation.
ANON.