"When Shall I Get Enough?"

As a Christian traveler was one day wending his way along a quiet country lane he was met and accosted by a poor blind man, whose hoary locks and tottering limbs plainly indicated that his earthly journey was well nigh over. The old man’s request for the bestowal of an alms was responded to; a few coppers were placed in his trembling hand, and the Christian stranger was again stepping forward, when the following words reached his ear: “When shall I get enough? When shall I get enough?” This arrested his curiosity, and he at once turned to learn the meaning of such strange expressions; whereupon the old man, moved by the kind and gracious manner of his benefactor, candidly told him that he was a Roman Catholic; that the priest could not, or would not, grant full absolution until a certain sum was paid down, and that to this end he had for many a day been denying and even starving himself, but feared after all he should never be able to get enough. By this time the traveler’s interest was fully enlisted in the poor fellow’s behalf, so he said to him, “If you will step inside this field, and sit with me on yonder sunny bank, I will tell you how your case, bad as it may appear, can be happily and instantly met. The old man agreed to this proposal, and the stranger opened his Bible at the third chapter of John’s Gospel, and read the blessed story therein contained. The “lifted up” Son of man—God’s Lamb—was pointed to as the One who had by His own precious blood made, once and forever, a perfect and sufficient payment for the guilt of lost sinners; and that all that was left for him was, not to find any additional payment, but only to believe and rest in the precious atoning blood of Christ. As the wondrous story of the cross was being unfolded to the anxious old man, tears ran freely from his blind eyes, for the light began to dawn upon his hitherto darkened soul; and at last he rose upon his feet, praising and blessing God whose great love had provided such a Saviour. “And now,” said the old man, “before we part, I have one request to make of you: Oh, do let me kiss the lips that told me this sweet story!” Dirty and squalid though he was, his request was freely granted, and they kissed and embraced each other, while God Himself looked on with joy. (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))
A few months after this, the Christian traveler had again occasion to visit that neighborhood, and well remembering the incident just related, he inquired in the village for the house of his old blind friend. The house was readily found, but the weary pilgrim was “forever with the Lord.” Upon inquiring of the old man’s relatives (who were Catholics) what kind of end he made, the traveler was told that “he died raving mad,” that he refused the ministrations of the priest, and that all he talked about was “a serpent that bit him, and a serpent that cured him.” Blessed madness!
And now, dear reader, have you ever yet discovered that you are bitten of the Serpent? that you are “GUILTY BEFORE GOD?” God says you are. (Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19).) Do you believe Him? Perhaps your heart’s answer is, “Oh, yes; none but God and myself know how guilty I am.” Well, poor troubled soul, “stay not in all the plain,” linger not to search thy heart for any redeeming quality to recommend thee to God; but get thee at once to Calvary’s cross, and “see that great sight”— that bleeding, dying Lamb; and as thou gazest in wonder upon that sinless One, made sin for the sinful, listen to those three peace-giving words, “It is finished.” Then let thy heart connect them with those He uttered in the publican’s house at Jericho: “The Son of man is come to seek and to SAVE that which was LOST.” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10).) Heartily believe those words, implicitly trust in that finished work, and salvation is thine—thine this moment, and forever. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).)
But the gospel story is not yet complete. That righteous, holy God, who gave His Son to save the lost, must put His seal of approval upon that finished work. Will He do it? Thank God, He has, by raising the Lord Jesus from the dead: “He who was delivered for our offenses has been raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)), and “exalted by God’s right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour.” (Acts 5:3131Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31).)
The trembling sinner feareth
That God can ne’er forget;
But one full payment cleareth
His memory of all debt.
When naught beside could ease us,
Or set our souls at large,
Thy holy work, Lord Jesus,
Secured a full discharge.