Tom was a cheerful, and regarded, perhaps, by many as a Christian, for his was a Christian home; and then, of course, he was not that sort of boy who likes to swear, nor was Tom untruthful.
But, alas! Tom, in his secret heart, knew that he was not right with God! Tom was not satisfied.
How very true are the words of that hymn which commences,
“O Christ in Thee my soul hath found,” and goes on to tell how that none but Christ can satisfy.
One evening, however, an evangelist came to stay with Tom’s parents. As they were well-known as Christians to many, and as his sister was also one who loved the Lord Jesus, it was perhaps natural that the evangelist should ask Tom if he was saved, not long after his arrival in his home, and frankly Tom said,
“No.”
Being possessed of “the Wisdom which cometh from Above,” the evangelist did not say very much for a while, but no doubt he prayed for Tom.
Meetings were held every night near to where Tom’s home was, for about two weeks, and he attended regularly as well as the other members of the family. Then, one very important night, a wonderful thing happened, not long before the mission closed.
That night Tom seemed in real distress. He was not in the habit of shedding tears, being a brave boy naturally, but on this particular night he seemed not to care though others noticed them. Nobody made any remark, of course, but all seemed to be enjoying the usual Bible-reading before going off to bed, except Tom.
“What chapter, Tom, would you like us to read, tonight?” the evangelist had asked.
“Rom. 10,” was Tom’s answer, for he was acquainted with the Scriptures, of course. Rom. 10 was therefore the center of exposition and reading. Then the evangelist said,
“Now Tom, if someone tomorrow morning asks you how he can be saved, what will you say?”
“‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,’” said Tom.
And yet, Tom was not saved himself! Then this experienced soul-winner explained, by an illustration, the vast difference between “believing on” and “believing about.” Many, he also said, believed that Jesus Christ died on the Cross at Calvary; that was “believing about.” But that sort of believing was not enough for one’s own personal salvation, he said. Tom then heard that to “believe on” means to receive into the heart the Lord Jesus Christ, Who said,
“Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”
Now Romans ten having been read, the evangelist took advantage of this, and verse nine he selected and explained. Tom will not likely forget the words,
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Then all knelt down, as was usual after reading the Bible together, and there was prayer for a time. Then an interesting and unlooked-for thing occurred just the same moment as Tom’s father finished with “Amen”-Tom’s voice rang out immediately with a grand, triumphant ring in it, “I’m saved!”
Then followed a wonderful time of thanksgiving, and tears of overwhelming joy were seen running down the cheeks of more than Tom, whom no one present had ever seen to weep, since he was small, perhaps.
Someone then asked Tom which hymn he would like sung, as singing of hymns was going on alternatively with weeping for joy and gladness, in the room where the happy little company were gathered that night.
Decidedly Tom answered, “O! happy day that fixed my choice,” and it certainly was a very appropriate one indeed:
“O! happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God,
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away.”
It was in the early morning hours of the following day that the little company of happy people parted, with hearts too joyful for sound sleep. It seemed too good to be true that Tom was saved; and, if on earth the rejoicing was great, we know that in heaven it was greater still (Luke 15:1010Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)). Tom shall never forget, nor regret that time!
Now, if such is only a foretaste of heaven, what shall heaven be when we all get there who are redeemed by the grace of God?
Yet, if we do not “believe on” the Lord Jesus Christ in life, an awful doom awaits us, too terrible to describe.
May all who read these lines make Him Who loves them best, their early, only Choice, and be satisfied!