“As many as received him, to them gave He power (right or privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
SOME few years ago, whilst staying at the town of N—in Berks, I drove out one Saturday morning with a Christian friend, a farmer, to a small hamlet, named. W—, where his farm lay.
Entering the old farmhouse, which was inhabited by the shepherd, his wife, and daughter,
I found the latter sitting upon a couch at work; and, taking a chair by her side, entered into conversation with her. She told me that for some years past she had been suffering from paralysis in both legs, which quite prevented her from moving about; so, after sympathizing with her in her affliction, I sought to point out to her that the Lord had a wise purpose in all He did, for He tells us that He doth not afflict willingly (or from His heart), nor grieve the children of men, and that in putting His hand upon her thus, it was to lead her to think of Himself, and of her future (Lament. 3:33).
She had evidently considered the question of her salvation, having been spoken to by others on the subject, but appeared quite blind as to the blessed simplicity of the Gospel; her thought seeming to be similar to that which we so often meet with on all hands, that as she was a sinner, she must try and be better, do the best she could, pray for mercy, and hope that God would forgive her sins.
I sought earnestly to show her the folly of trusting in anything that she could do, in any form or shape whatever, that God had declared the whole world to be guilty (Rom. 3:19), that all had sinned and come short of His glory (Rom. 3:23), and that, therefore, it was too late to talk about being better, but that He had shown His pity, compassion, and love, by giving up His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners on the cross (1 Tim. 1:15), and that He had raised Him from the dead for the justification of all who believe on His name (Rom. 4:23-25); and then, further, showed her that as He had finished the work and glorified God, there was nothing left for her to do, but then and there, as a poor lost sinner, to believe on Him, and that God would forgive all her sins at once, and she would thus have peace.
It seemed to be quite a new thought to her, that she could do nothing whatever, but that Christ had done all, and that therefore there was nothing left for her to do (John 17:4; 19:30). Forgiveness on such easy terms seemed to her, as it has to many more, too good to be true; but blessed be the God of all grace, they are His terms, and those only by which a sinner can be saved; and well it is so, for surely if it depended on us and our wretched doings, not one would reach the glories of you bright scene. Oh, that many, many more would all their useless doings cease, take God at His Word, and believe on Him who has done all, yes, all, long, long ago, as the little hymn we so often sing so simply and blessedly sets it forth:
“Nothing either great or small,
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.”
After a few more minutes conversation, during which my friend came in, and also assured her of the simple and precious truths of the Gospel, we parted.
On the following Tuesday, a message came to me from the poor afflicted one, asking me to call and see her again, as she was so wretched, and so anxious about her soul, that she could scarcely eat or sleep. I went over in the afternoon, but circumstances compelled me to make but a very brief visit, but through the mercy of God, it was time enough. Again, sitting down by her side, I found her in a deeply anxious state.
“I want peace,” she said, “I want peace.” Turning to the Scriptures, I read to her, amongst other passages, the precious words in Rom. 4:25; 5:1, “Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification; therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;” and asked her simply, “Why can’t you receive Christ?”
The words went home; the Spirit of God applied them with power to her soul; she saw that Christ was one who met all her need, that He had done all, she could rest in Him, and peace, sweet peace, was the result; old things had passed away, behold all things had become new. She was now a new creature in Christ Jesus, a child of God, an heir of glory (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:15-17).
My friend again coming into the room, we knelt down and praised the Lord together for His mercy to her, and then departed.
Not long after I received the following letter, which speaks for itself of the great change that God in His grace had wrought in her soul.
W— 24th Nov., 1875.
“MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST, I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken, being so far beneath you. I have such peace through the blood of Christ, I cannot help writing to thank you, for you taught me the truth of God.
“He has plucked me as a brand from the burning. May the Lord bless you in all you do; and wherever you may speak a word, may the Lord open the heart to receive it, may the Holy Spirit lead. you wherever there is a poor heavy-laden sinner as I; for none taught me as you taught me, nor could I see myself such a sinner till then. ‘Why can’t you receive Christ?’ these words seemed to pierce my heart. I thank you for teaching me: I thank God for sending you, I thank and praise the precious Saviour that died to make my peace with God; through faith that peace is my peace.
“I have settled peace with God, for He who is our peace is changeless; for then are we happy when our eye and heart are only fixed upon the blessed Lord and His finished work on the cross. It is a blessing to be able through God’s grace to lift up our heart to Him, ‘whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.’ I long to be with them that love my Precious Saviour: how I long to see my parents resting on the finished work of Christ, and all the world besides; but the Lord’s time is the best. Hoping this may find you well, if it is the Lord’s will, with many thanks for the book; I like it much, and all kindness; I remain your affectionate sister in Christ.”
H—H—
Beloved reader, how is it with your soul? Can you, through the grace of God, speak with the same confidence? Can you say, I have settled peace with God? Can you say, “He has plucked me as a brand from the burning”? If not, let me intreat you not to delay the settlement of so deeply important a question as the salvation of your soul; let me warn you to flee to Christ as the only refuge from the wrath of God, so soon to be poured out upon all, whoever they be, who shall then be found without Him. He, and He alone, can save you; and He it is who bids you come to Him; He says to all, “Come;” high, low, rich, and poor, “Come;” moral or immoral, honest or dishonest, religious or irreligious, despisers, rejecters, neglecters, professors, hopers, workers, skeptics, infidels, “Come;” “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). All are included in that one precious Gospel word, “Whosoever,” you and everybody; and He bids you come “now”; for now is God’s time, tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Does my reader say, “But, how am I to come?” I reply, Why, just as you are, without one plea, as a poor lost sinner. Come, believing. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:30-31). Believe now, and peace in your soul will be the blessed result. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Rom. 4:25). “Christ made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). Believe, and Christ is your peace forever. “Why can’t you receive Christ?”
E. H. C.