ONCE, at a gospel meeting, several lads bore testimony to the fact that Jesus had saved them, and that through His word they had obtained the assurance of salvation. Not one of them would be more than sixteen years of age, yet each one was able to state very definitely and distinctly what the Lord had done for his soul. They had been rough, careless boys previous to their conversion, but through the godly example and influence of a lady, whose Bible-class they had been induced to attend, and through other holy influences which were brought to bear upon them, a change, such as only the Spirit of God can bring about, had been wrought in them.
At the meeting referred to, there was present a man in the employ of this same lady; he was the father of a young family, a church-member, a quiet, unassuming, and on the whole a decent sort of man, but a total stranger to grace. The lad’s confession of Christ annoyed him. He did not believe it could be real. He could not see how anyone could know anything about being saved in this life, especially boys! He did not conceal his annoyance and displeasure, as he considered there was a great deal of presumption in speaking so surely as they had done.
I was equally frank with him, and told him that if he believed the Scriptures, as he professed to do, and accepted what they said, he would soon find out that we could know we have salvation; then I referred him to 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), where Jesus says: “Verily, 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.”
He still asserted that he did not see how anyone could know that he was saved; for he himself believed, had always believed, and yet could not venture to say he was saved.
I pointed out that, on the authority of Jesus, everyone who believes has everlasting life, and would never come into condemnation. But he could not see this, so I turned to John 5:1010The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. (John 5:10), and read, “He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar.” This text, on his own confession, fairly aroused him, and from that moment he found no peace, until he trusted in Jesus, which he very soon after did.
Nearly ten years passed away, and for the last eight of these I had not seen him, until the other day, when I stepped out of a train at a railway station, and he came forward and made himself known to me. He said that for several years past he had been publicly bearing testimony to what Jesus had done for him and of what He was doing for him from day to day. With evident gladness he added that his wife was now saved, and also some of his children. So here we leave him, praying God to speed him in doing what he once condemned in others, publicly bearing testimony to the possession and assurance of salvation.
Is the friend who reads this displeased when he hears anyone say, “I know whom I have believed”? Do you well to be angry, my friend? Do you never speak about things you possess? Have you a house? Do you never point it out, and say, “That is my house”? Can there be any presumption in your saying so? Have you a garden? Is it wrong for you to say so? Have you a wife? Have you children? Do you ever introduce them to friends, and say, “This is my wife, and these are my children”? Have you not a perfect right to do so? Can anyone blame you?
Now turn from things earthly to things spiritual. Jesus says, “Out of the abundance, of the heart the mouth speaketh.” How then can souls who have been saved, and hearts that have been filled with His grace, keep the mouth from speaking? You speak often about your house, your garden, your wife, you children. Should you get angry when others speak about what they possess, when that possession is salvation?
Now make careful inquiry within yourself about this matter, and do not rest short of the knowledge of salvation that will make you “spring up,” when occasion demands it, and say, “I am the Lord’s.” When Jesus went into a house at Capernæum, “it was noised that He was in the house,” and it is the same still. His presence in any man’s heart is sure to reveal itself, so if it is not known to anyone that you belong to Christ, let this appeal come home to you. J. C.